Bathroom Refurbishment and Installation Costs

Bathrooms are one of the most frequently updated rooms in UK homes, whether the trigger is ageing fixtures, a change in household needs, or preparing a property for sale. Scope can creep quickly from a simple like-for-like refit to a full-scale wet room conversion, and costs can vary by a factor of six or more depending on specification. Getting the budget right before committing to a contractor is the single most effective way to keep a bathroom project on track and avoid mid-project surprises.

Key points

• A basic like-for-like bathroom refit in the UK typically costs £2,500–£5,000; mid-range renovations with a revised layout run £5,000–£10,000; high-specification installations often exceed £12,000. (Indicative UK costs, last reviewed 2026-05-07.)
• Electrical work in a bathroom must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations; a notifiable installation requires a completion certificate from a competent-person scheme registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT, or equivalent).
• Drainage alterations — moving a soil stack, adding a waste connection, or converting to a wet room — may require a Building Regulations application under Approved Document H and should be scoped by a qualified drainage contractor early in the planning process.
• Wet rooms require a continuous waterproof tanking membrane beneath all tiles and a correctly graded drain; inadequate tanking is the most common cause of wet room water ingress after installation.
• Where a bathroom window is replaced as part of a refurbishment, the glazing must meet Part L energy performance requirements and be covered by a FENSA or CERTASS certificate — this is a legal requirement under the Building Regulations.

What does a bathroom refurbishment involve?

A bathroom refurbishment can range from swapping sanitaryware in existing positions to a full-strip gut with a completely revised layout. The scope determines the cost more than any other single factor.

Typical scope levels:

1. Basic refit (like-for-like): New bath, basin, toilet, taps, and accessories fitted in existing positions. Retile floors and/or walls. No drainage changes. Decorator finishes.
2. Mid-range renovation: New layout with repositioned sanitaryware. Underfloor heating added. Shower enclosure replacing a bath or added alongside it. Updated lighting and mechanical ventilation.
3. Full refurbishment or wet room conversion: Strip to bare walls and floor. New waterproofing, drainage, and floor screed. Full tiling package. Bespoke storage. Premium fixtures, concealed cisterns, and feature lighting.

How much does a bathroom refurbishment cost in the UK?

The table below shows indicative cost ranges by scope for a standard UK bathroom of 4–6 m², including materials and labour. Costs increase for larger rooms, premium fixture choices, and drainage or structural alterations.

(Indicative UK costs, last reviewed 2026-05-07. Costs vary by region, specification, and site access.)

Regional variation: London and south-east labour rates typically add 20–30% compared to northern England and Scotland. Get at least three quotes regardless of location.

What drives the cost of a bathroom refurbishment?

Understanding cost drivers lets you compare quotes meaningfully rather than simply accepting the lowest figure without knowing what it includes or excludes.

• Fixture and fitting quality: Entry-level suites start from around £400–£700; mid-range suites £800–£1,500; designer suites £2,000–£5,000+. Thermostatic shower valves alone range from £80 to over £800.
• Tiling specification: Porcelain floor tiles range from £15 to £100+ per m². Full floor-to-ceiling tiling in a 5 m² bathroom may require 20–30 m² of tile, meaning tile selection alone can swing total cost by £2,000–£3,000.
• Drainage repositioning: Moving a toilet soil connection by even 1 metre can add £500–£1,500, particularly in older homes with cast iron or clay pipework.
• Structural changes: Removing a wall to create an en suite, or widening a doorway, requires structural assessment and potentially a Building Regulations application.
• Ventilation: Part F of the Building Regulations requires mechanical extract ventilation in bathrooms; a new fan installation typically costs £150–£400.
• Plastering and decoration: Often excluded from bathroom installer quotes. Plaster skim on walls after tiling preparation can add £400–£800.

Fixture and finish tiers: a comparison

What building regulations apply to bathroom work?

Most bathroom refurbishments do not require planning permission. However, Building Regulations apply in several specific areas:

• Part P (Electrical Safety): New or altered circuits in a bathroom are notifiable if they are within the defined bathroom zones or involve a new circuit from the consumer unit. Always use a registered competent-person scheme electrician.
• Part H (Drainage): Altering drainage, repositioning a soil stack, or creating a new waste run may require a building regulations application, or use of a competent-person scheme contractor who self-certifies their work.
• Part F (Ventilation): Mechanical extract ventilation must meet minimum flow rates as set out in Approved Document F — 15 litres/second for intermittent extract in a bathroom.
• Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power): If a window is replaced as part of the works, it must meet current U-value requirements and be covered by a FENSA or CERTASS certificate.

If you are uncertain whether your project requires consent, contact your local building control authority or use a competent-person scheme registered contractor who can self-certify.

Checklist: what to prepare before getting bathroom quotes

Having this information ready means every contractor receives the same brief, so you can compare quotes on a genuinely like-for-like basis:

• Measure the bathroom accurately — length, width, ceiling height, window and door positions
  
• Note the location of the soil stack and existing waste outlet positions
  
• Decide whether you want to keep or change the basic layout
  
• Choose a fixture tier (budget / mid-range / high-end) and identify example products or brand preferences
  
• Confirm whether you want underfloor heating included
  
• Note any access constraints — tight staircase, no nearby parking, upper-floor flat
  
• Check whether the existing extractor fan works and whether it complies with Part F
  
• Confirm your preferred start date and whether you have access to a second working bathroom during the works
  

What to ask before accepting a bathroom quote

• Is the price fixed, or is it a day-rate estimate? What circumstances could increase the final cost?
• Which trades carry out the work — plumber, tiler, electrician — and are they employed or sub-contracted?
• Does the price include waste removal and protection of surrounding rooms and flooring?
• What Part P completion certificate will I receive for electrical work, and from whom?
• Will drainage alterations be self-certified through a competent-person scheme, or submitted to building control?
• What is the workmanship warranty, and how long does it run?
• What happens if waterproofing failures or leaks are identified after project completion?
• Is VAT included in the quoted price, and can it be shown separately?

When to get professional help

Bathroom refurbishments involve multiple overlapping trades. Consider bringing in a specialist contractor or design-and-build firm to coordinate the full project when:

• The project involves moving the soil stack or a full wet room conversion with screed floors
• You are converting a bedroom or creating a new en suite where no bathroom previously existed
• You suspect damp, rot, or historic leaks behind existing tiles or beneath the floor
• The existing floor structure may need reinforcing to support a heavy freestanding bath
• Significant electrical changes are needed, including a new circuit from the consumer unit

For complex drainage work — including adding a bathroom to a storey without existing drainage — consult a drainage contractor early in the planning stage, before finalising the layout or accepting a bathroom installer's quote.

How Housey can help

Housey connects you with vetted local installers and design-and-build firms who can manage your bathroom refurbishment from initial specification through to sign-off. If your project involves wet room drainage, repositioning a soil stack, or adding drainage to a new floor, you can also find experienced drainage contractors through the platform.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need planning permission for a bathroom refurbishment?

In almost all cases, no. Internal bathroom refurbishments are permitted development. Planning permission may be required if you are creating a new bathroom in a listed building, converting part of a commercial property, or making external changes in a conservation area. Check with your local planning authority if you are uncertain about your specific property.

How long does a bathroom refurbishment take?

A basic like-for-like refit typically takes 3–5 working days. A mid-range renovation with a new layout usually takes 7–10 working days. A full strip-out and wet room conversion can take 2–4 weeks depending on waterproofing, screeding, and drying times before tiling can begin.

Can I install a bathroom myself?

Some elements — painting, fitting accessories, and replacing like-for-like fixtures with push-fit connections — are suitable for a competent DIYer. However, any new electrical circuit in a bathroom must be carried out by a Part P registered electrician, and drainage alterations require a qualified plumber. Work that is not properly certified may cause problems when selling the property.

What is the difference between a wet room and a walk-in shower?

A walk-in shower uses a tray — which may be low-profile — within a defined enclosure. A wet room has no tray: the entire floor is waterproofed and graded to drain, with a flush or linear drain set into the floor screed. Wet rooms require specialist tanking and are typically more expensive to install, but offer greater accessibility and a seamless aesthetic.

Do bathroom refurbishments add value to a property?

A well-executed bathroom refurbishment can improve saleability and support a better asking price, but return on investment varies. Estate agents commonly suggest a quality bathroom may add 3–5% to perceived value, though this is anecdotal and market-dependent. Practical condition — no leaks, no visible mould, working ventilation — matters more to surveyors and mortgage lenders than specification level.

Sources and further reading

• Approved Document P: Electrical Safety — Dwellings — GOV.UK
• Approved Document H: Drainage and Waste Disposal — GOV.UK
• Approved Document F: Ventilation — GOV.UK
• FENSA: Replacement Windows and Doors — FENSA
• Building Regulations Approval — GOV.UK