Bathroom Renovation Cost Guide 2026 — Full Breakdown

Bathroom renovations are bread and butter work for many tradespeople in the UK. They are one of the most frequently requested home improvements, they deliver a strong return on investment for homeowners, and they provide a steady income stream for plumbers, tilers, and general bathroom fitters. But pricing bathroom jobs accurately can be tricky — there are dozens of variables, customers often have unrealistic expectations about cost, and hidden problems lurking behind old tiles can blow your estimate apart.

This guide gives you the real numbers for 2026, a full itemised breakdown you can use as a reference when quoting, and practical advice for avoiding the common pitfalls that eat into your margins on bathroom work.

Average Bathroom Renovation Costs by Scope

Not every bathroom renovation is the same. Here is how costs typically break down by the level of work involved.

Basic Refresh (Four Thousand to Six Thousand Pounds)

A basic refresh involves replacing the sanitaryware (toilet, basin, and bath or shower), retiling key areas, and updating taps and accessories. The existing plumbing and electrical connections stay in roughly the same positions, so there is minimal first fix work. This is the most common bathroom job for landlords, rental properties, and customers on a budget.

• Strip out existing sanitaryware and tiles — half a day to one day
• Minor plumbing adjustments — half a day
• Tiling (bath panel area and splashbacks) — one to two days
• Fitting new sanitaryware — one day
• Finishing and sealant — half a day

Mid-Range Renovation (Six Thousand to Ten Thousand Pounds)

A mid-range renovation is a complete strip-out and refit. This means removing everything down to the bare walls, replacing the plumbing and sometimes the electrics, fitting a new suite with repositioned fixtures if needed, full wall and floor tiling, and modern features like a thermostatic shower, heated towel rail, and new lighting.

• Full strip-out including floor and wall coverings — one day
• First fix plumbing (repositioning pipework) — one to one and a half days
• First fix electrics — half a day
• Boarding and tanking (waterproofing) — one day
• Floor and wall tiling — two to three days
• Second fix plumbing — one day
• Second fix electrics — half a day
• Fitting sanitaryware and accessories — one day
• Finishing, sealant, and snagging — half a day

Luxury Renovation (Twelve Thousand to Twenty Thousand Pounds Plus)

A luxury bathroom renovation includes everything in a mid-range refit plus premium fixtures, high-end materials, and additional features. Think walk-in wetroom with linear drain, large-format porcelain tiles, wall-hung toilet and vanity, digital shower system, underfloor heating, bespoke mirrors and storage, and designer lighting. The labour content is higher because of the precision required and the additional trades involved.

Itemised Cost Breakdown

Here is a detailed breakdown of what each element of a mid-range bathroom renovation costs in 2026. Use these figures as a guide when building your quotes.

Labour Costs

Labour is typically forty to fifty per cent of the total cost of a bathroom renovation. For a mid-range job, expect labour to total three thousand to five thousand pounds.

• Bathroom fitter / plumber (eight to ten days at two hundred to two hundred and fifty pounds per day): one thousand six hundred to two thousand five hundred pounds
• Tiler (two to three days at two hundred to two hundred and sixty pounds per day): four hundred to seven hundred and eighty pounds
• Electrician (one day): two hundred to three hundred pounds
• Plasterer (if needed, one day): one hundred and eighty to two hundred and fifty pounds
• Labourer for strip-out (one day): one hundred to one hundred and forty pounds

If you are a multi-skilled tradesperson who does the plumbing, tiling, and fitting yourself, your total labour charge will be higher per day but the overall labour cost to the customer may be lower because there are no coordination gaps between trades.

Sanitaryware

Sanitaryware covers the toilet, basin, bath or shower, and taps. Prices vary enormously depending on the brand and specification.

• Close-coupled toilet: one hundred and fifty to four hundred pounds (wall-hung adds one hundred to two hundred pounds for the concealed frame)
• Basin with pedestal or vanity unit: one hundred to five hundred pounds
• Standard bath: one hundred and fifty to four hundred pounds (freestanding adds two hundred to eight hundred pounds)
• Shower enclosure and tray: two hundred to six hundred pounds
• Thermostatic shower valve and head: one hundred and fifty to five hundred pounds
• Taps (basin and bath): sixty to three hundred pounds per set
• Heated towel rail: eighty to three hundred pounds

Tiles

Tiles are one of the areas where costs can escalate quickly. Budget ceramic tiles start at fifteen to twenty pounds per square metre. Mid-range porcelain tiles run thirty to fifty pounds per square metre. Premium large-format or natural stone tiles can reach eighty to one hundred and fifty pounds per square metre or more.

For a typical bathroom of five to eight square metres, you need twelve to twenty square metres of wall tiles and five to eight square metres of floor tiles, plus adhesive, grout, and waterproofing membrane. Total tile costs (supply only) range from four hundred pounds for budget to two thousand pounds for premium.

Plumbing Materials

• Copper pipe, fittings, and waste: one hundred and fifty to three hundred pounds
• Isolation valves and connectors: thirty to sixty pounds
• Waste and overflow kits: forty to eighty pounds
• Tanking kit (waterproofing): sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds

Electrical Materials

• Bathroom extractor fan: thirty to one hundred and fifty pounds
• LED downlights (four to six): sixty to one hundred and eighty pounds
• Shaver socket: twenty to forty pounds
• Underfloor heating mat (if included): one hundred and fifty to four hundred pounds

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Bathroom renovations are notorious for revealing problems that were not visible until you started ripping things out. Here are the most common hidden costs and how to account for them.

Rotten timber. Water damage behind tiles and around baths often means rotten floor joists, floorboards, or stud walls. Replacing rotten timber adds one hundred to five hundred pounds depending on the extent.

Asbestos. Properties built before 2000 may contain asbestos in floor tiles, adhesive, artex ceilings, or pipe lagging. If you suspect asbestos, it must be tested before removal, and depending on the type, may need specialist removal. This can add five hundred to two thousand pounds to the project.

Old plumbing. Lead pipes, imperial-sized copper, and corroded fittings all require replacement rather than connecting to. If the existing plumbing is in poor condition, allow an additional two hundred to six hundred pounds for extending new runs back to sound pipework.

Electrical non-compliance. Older bathrooms may not meet current electrical regulations (Part P of the Building Regulations and the IET Wiring Regulations). If the existing wiring needs upgrading — for example, adding RCD protection or moving switches outside the bathroom zones — this adds to the electrical costs.

Waste and skip costs. A full bathroom strip-out generates a significant amount of waste — old tiles, sanitaryware, plasterboard, and timber. A mini skip costs one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty pounds, or you can use bag collections at sixty to one hundred pounds per bag.

Dealing with hidden costs in your quote. The best approach is to include a contingency of ten to fifteen per cent and explain to the customer that certain issues can only be identified once the strip-out is complete. Be transparent about this — most customers appreciate honesty more than an artificially low price that creeps up during the job.

How to Quote Bathroom Jobs Accurately

Here is a practical process for quoting bathroom renovations that protects your margins and gives the customer confidence.

Survey thoroughly. Check the condition of the existing plumbing (look under the bath and behind the panel), the floor (check for soft spots), the walls (tap for hollow areas), and the electrics. Ask the customer what they want to keep and what they want to replace. Establish whether they are supplying the sanitaryware or expecting you to.

Agree the specification. Get clarity on the exact products — specific toilet model, basin, shower, tiles. This avoids disputes later about what was included. If the customer has not chosen yet, price based on a defined allowance and make this clear in the quote. Our material cost estimator can help you benchmark sanitaryware and tile costs quickly.

Break down your pricing. Separate labour, materials, sanitaryware, and tiling costs. This transparency helps the customer understand the cost and makes it easier to adjust if their budget does not stretch. For guidance on structuring your pricing, see our labour cost calculation guide.

State what is included and excluded. Be specific. Does the price include waste removal? Are you doing the decorating? Are you supplying and fitting the bathroom furniture or just fitting? Are you tiling the full walls or just splashback areas? The more explicit you are, the fewer arguments you will have.

Include a contingency. State the contingency separately in your quote and explain what it covers. Something like "A contingency of ten per cent has been included to cover any unforeseen issues discovered during the strip-out phase, such as water damage, outdated plumbing, or electrical non-compliance."

Present it properly. Bathroom quotes range from four thousand to twenty thousand pounds — these are significant purchases for homeowners. A professional, branded proposal instils confidence and shows you take the job seriously. QuoteSmith lets you input your bathroom job details and generates a complete proposal with scope, pricing, timeline, and terms as a branded PDF — making you look professional and saving hours of paperwork.

Managing Customer Expectations

Bathroom customers often have unrealistic expectations driven by home renovation TV programmes and Pinterest boards. Managing these expectations is part of your job as a professional tradesperson.

Budget reality. Many customers have seen stunning bathroom renovations on television and expect similar results for three thousand pounds. Be honest about what is achievable within their budget. Offer to provide a quote for their ideal specification and a more affordable alternative so they can make an informed choice.

Timeline honesty. A full bathroom renovation takes eight to twelve working days as a minimum. Customers who need to share a bathroom with the rest of the household during the work will want it done quickly, but rushing leads to poor workmanship. Set realistic expectations and explain why each stage takes the time it does.

Living without a bathroom. Discuss the practical implications early. The bathroom will be out of action for most of the project. If the property has a second bathroom, this is less of an issue. If not, help the customer plan — can you keep the toilet operational until the last possible moment? Can you prioritise getting the shower working before the tiling is complete?

Product lead times. Some sanitaryware, especially premium brands and bespoke items, can have lead times of four to eight weeks. If the customer has chosen specific products, ensure they are ordered early enough to avoid delays that cost you money in idle time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in the UK in 2026?

A bathroom renovation in the UK in 2026 typically costs between four thousand and twelve thousand pounds depending on the scope. A basic refresh with new sanitaryware and tiling costs four thousand to six thousand pounds. A mid-range renovation with full strip-out and modern fittings costs six thousand to ten thousand pounds. A luxury renovation with premium fixtures, underfloor heating, and bespoke tiling can exceed twelve thousand to twenty thousand pounds.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A basic bathroom refresh takes five to seven working days. A full bathroom renovation including strip-out, plumbing, electrics, tiling, and fitting typically takes eight to twelve working days. More complex renovations involving structural changes, underfloor heating, or bespoke features can take three to four weeks. Supply delays on sanitaryware and tiles are the most common cause of holdups, so order early.

What are the hidden costs in a bathroom renovation?

Common hidden costs include rotten floor joists or floorboards discovered during strip-out, asbestos in older properties requiring specialist removal, outdated plumbing that needs replacing rather than connecting to, electrical work to bring the bathroom up to current regulations, and waste removal costs. These can add one thousand to three thousand pounds to the project, which is why including a contingency allowance of ten to fifteen per cent is essential.

Should the customer supply bathroom materials or should the tradesperson?

Both approaches work, but there are trade-offs. If the customer supplies materials, they control the specification and cost but take responsibility for ordering the right quantities, dealing with returns, and any delays. If the tradesperson supplies materials, they can source trade prices, ensure compatibility, and manage the supply chain. Most tradespeople prefer to supply because it gives them control over quality and timing, and the markup contributes to their margin.