Bathroom renovation cost in the UK
A full bathroom renovation in the UK typically costs between £4,500 and £12,000, with most homeowners spending around £6,500–£8,000 for a complete refit of a standard family bathroom (around 5–8 m²). Premium suites, en-suites with wet room features and London postcodes push budgets to £15,000–£25,000.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up kitchen renovation cost in the uk, plumber hourly rate in the uk and electrician hourly rate in the uk. For wider context, browse our kitchen pricing, boiler & heating costs and trades day rates.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Budget refit (basic suite, ceramic tiles) | £4,500–£6,500 |
Mid-range refit (mid-tier suite, porcelain) | £6,500–£9,500 |
High-end refit (premium fittings, underfloor heating) | £9,500–£15,000 |
Luxury / wet room conversion | £12,000–£25,000 |
En-suite refit (small footprint) | £3,500–£7,500 |
Labour costs
Labour typically accounts for 40–55% of a UK bathroom renovation. Most projects need a plumber, tiler and electrician, plus a plasterer and decorator.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Plumber (strip-out + first/second fix) | £1,200–£2,800 |
Tiler (walls + floor, 15–25 m²) | £800–£2,000 |
Electrician (Part P, lights, extractor) | £350–£900 |
Plasterer | £300–£700 |
Decorator | £200–£500 |
Skip hire & waste removal | £180–£400 |
Materials costs
Materials and fittings usually make up 45–60% of the budget. The suite, tiles and shower screen drive most of the variation.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Bathroom suite (toilet, basin, bath) | £400–£2,500 |
Shower & screen | £250–£1,800 |
Tiles (per m²) | £20–£90/m² |
Taps & brassware | £150–£900 |
Underfloor heating (electric) | £350–£800 |
Extractor fan + lighting | £120–£400 |
Cost per m²
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Budget | £700–£950/m² |
Mid-range | £950–£1,400/m² |
High-end | £1,400–£2,200/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Location — London and the South East run 15–30% higher than the national average.
- ·Layout changes — moving the toilet or soil stack adds £400–£1,200.
- ·Tile choice and area — porcelain and large-format tiles cost more to fix.
- ·Wet room conversion — tanking and gradient floors add £1,500–£3,000.
- ·Access — flats above ground floor add labour time for stripping out.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Keep the existing layout — moving plumbing is the single biggest cost driver.
- ·Buy the suite yourself from a trade merchant and have the fitter install only.
- ·Choose ceramic over porcelain where appearance allows — fitting is faster.
- ·Bundle plumber and tiler into one contract for a fixed-price quote.
- ·Renovate in winter when trades have more availability and may negotiate.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a UK bathroom renovation take?
- A standard full refit runs 7–14 working days from strip-out to final decoration. Wet rooms and en-suite additions can extend to 3 weeks.
- Do I need planning permission?
- No, for like-for-like internal refits. Building control applies if you alter ventilation, drainage or structural elements.
- Is VAT charged on bathroom renovations?
- Yes, VAT-registered contractors charge 20% on labour and materials. New-build and certain accessibility adaptations may qualify for reduced rates.
- What's a fair labour-only quote for fitting a supplied bathroom?
- Most UK fitters charge £2,200–£3,800 labour-only for a standard bathroom, excluding tiling materials and skip.
- Will a new bathroom add value to my home?
- A mid-range refit typically returns 60–80% of its cost in added property value, and a tired bathroom can otherwise reduce buyer offers by more than the refit cost.
- Should I get fixed price or day rate quotes?
- Always request a fixed price for the full scope. Day rate work suits small repairs only; for refits it transfers cost risk to you.