How to budget for your bathroom
Dreaming of a fresher, brighter bathroom this year? You’re in good company. According to Bathroom and Kitchen Update’s latest research, over 3 million homeowners* are planning to renovate their bathroom this year, benefiting from the 5% increase in their home’s value that a bathroom renovation can bring. A well-executed makeover can also add real comfort, creating a relaxing yet practical atmosphere for the whole family.
However, before you start, it’s essential to understand how much a bathroom renovation costs.
* Based on research by Unhooked and Avant Homes.
What is the average cost of a bathroom renovation?
FMB member, Passmore Group, suggests that improving an existing suite costs between £3,000 and £6,000, while a complete renovation is priced between £6,000 and £8,000. According to London-based Fittra Construction, another FMB member, the average cost for updating a small bathroom is £4,250, rising to £9,000 for a large bathroom.
You should note that bathroom renovation costs are dependent on property location, with prices in London being some of the highest in the country, project size and style, and the building company you hire to carry out your renovation. The quality of the finish also impacts the cost – a higher-skilled and experienced workforce will inevitably produce the best finish, and can, therefore, charge premium rates.
Read our comprehensive guide to planning a bathroom.
Bathroom renovation cost breakdown: what to budget for
As every home and bathroom layout is different, use these figures as a guide.
Labour costs
Fittra’s online prices indicate that labour costs for fitters, plumbers, and electricians in London are approximately £300–£350 per day, or hourly rates of around £40–£60. However, North London-based FMB member KS Plumbing & Building publishes hourly rates of £110 for plumbing and £90 for electrical work.
Outside of the capital, labour prices are generally lower.
FMB member Kevin Wilson Master Builders, based in Scotland, publishes a helpful estimator calculator on their website, and this suggests that tiling labour costs £40/m².
Fittra publishes plastering labour at between £200 and £300 per day, while Aspect, another FMB member covering the Home Counties, charges from £38.25 per half-hour (one hour minimum) for plastering labour.
Double-check cheap quotes
As with any project, watch out for cowboy builders who provide unrealistically cheap quotes. Not only could the work quality be poor and lack guarantees and warranties, but the costs often pile on as the job progresses.
Strip-out and disposal
Often bundled into the fitter’s price, the strip-out is the part where your old suite, tiles, and flooring are removed, and all waste is taken off-site. However, always check your quote to ensure it’s included. This phase typically takes 1–2 days for an average bathroom with easy access.
According to Passmore Group, stripping out a standard bathroom costs from £300, with disposal coming in at around £75.
Bathroom suite costs
The cost for a bathroom suite, typically comprising a bath, basin, and toilet, varies widely depending on your choice of style, fittings design, and colour. Fittra lists the basic component prices for a bathroom as:
- Bath: £400 for a standard model or a freestanding bath, £1,250
- Basin: £150 for a pedestal, and around £600 for a vanity unit
- Toilet: £300
They advise that adding a free-standing shower installation costs £350 for an electric shower, while the enclosure is an additional £500.
Tiling walls and splash zones costs
Similar to the suite, costs for retiling a bathroom can be as high as you want to go, but Fittra suggests that typical ceramic bathroom tiles cost £25/m², with the average room size requiring 20m² of wall and floor tiling.
Electrics, lighting, and ventilation costs
Adding spots, shaver sockets, mirror demisters, or an extractor fan will add to the final cost. However, these items are relatively inexpensive, and you’ll mainly be adding to the labour cost for the time taken to install these extras.
Decorating and finishing costs
Painting and trims are often easy to overlook, but are essential for achieving a neat result. The cost for these depends on the style and design you’re aiming for – a 2.5L tub of basic bathroom paint is around £20 on the B&Q website.
A well-planned and executed bathroom renovation is an upgrade you’ll appreciate every day, whether it’s the pre-work rush or relaxing in the bath after a hard day.
Ready for a new bathroom?
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