A bathroom renovation is one of the most common home improvement projects in the UK, but it is also one of the hardest to budget for. The cost can range from under £3,000 for a basic refresh to well over £20,000 for a full luxury refit — and there are dozens of variables in between that affect the final price.
This guide breaks down the real costs of fitting a new bathroom in the UK in 2026, covering every budget level. Whether you are a homeowner trying to set a realistic budget or a plumber quoting for bathroom work, these figures reflect current market rates.
New Bathroom Cost Summary
Here is a quick overview of what a new bathroom costs at different specification levels. These prices include supply and fit — materials, sanitaryware, tiling, plumbing, and electrics.
| Specification | Typical Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £3,000 – £5,000 | 5 – 7 days |
| Mid-Range | £5,000 – £10,000 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Luxury | £10,000 – £20,000+ | 2 – 3 weeks |
| En-Suite (new build) | £3,000 – £8,000 | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Downstairs Cloakroom | £2,000 – £4,000 | 3 – 5 days |
These are national averages. London and the South East tend to be 10 to 20 percent higher, while the North of England and Scotland are typically 5 to 10 percent lower.
Budget Bathroom: £3,000 – £5,000
A budget bathroom renovation involves replacing the existing sanitaryware (toilet, basin, bath or shower) on a like-for-like basis without changing the layout. The existing plumbing positions are reused, which keeps labour costs down. Walls are typically painted rather than fully tiled, with tiling limited to the splash zones around the bath or shower.
Typical cost breakdown:
- Sanitaryware suite (toilet, basin, bath): £300 – £600
- Taps and shower mixer: £100 – £250
- Tiles (splash zones only): £150 – £300
- Floor covering (vinyl or laminate): £100 – £250
- Plumber (3 to 4 days): £600 – £1,400
- Tiler (1 to 2 days): £200 – £500
- Electrician (half day): £100 – £200
- Skip or waste removal: £150 – £300
- Sundries (silicone, adhesive, grout, fixings): £100 – £200
This level of renovation works well when the existing bathroom layout is functional but the fittings are dated or worn. It is also the right approach for buy-to-let properties or pre-sale improvements where the goal is to refresh rather than transform.
Mid-Range Bathroom: £5,000 – £10,000
A mid-range bathroom renovation is the most common specification in the UK. It typically involves a full strip-out, new plumbing (sometimes with layout changes), floor-to-ceiling tiling, and higher quality sanitaryware. This is where most homeowners land when they want a bathroom that looks and feels modern without spending luxury-level money.
Typical cost breakdown:
- Sanitaryware (wall-hung toilet, vanity basin, bath and/or walk-in shower): £800 – £2,000
- Brassware (mixer taps, thermostatic shower valve): £300 – £600
- Wall and floor tiles (full room): £400 – £1,000
- Heated towel rail: £100 – £250
- Lighting (LED downlights, mirror light): £150 – £350
- Plumber (5 to 7 days): £1,000 – £2,450
- Tiler (3 to 4 days): £600 – £1,200
- Electrician (1 day): £200 – £350
- Plasterer (if needed): £300 – £500
- Skip and waste removal: £200 – £400
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A luxury bathroom renovation involves premium sanitaryware, designer brassware, high-end tiles (natural stone, large format porcelain, or bespoke designs), underfloor heating, bespoke joinery, and often a complete reconfiguration of the space. This is the specification level where the bathroom becomes a feature of the home rather than simply a functional room.
Key cost drivers at this level:
- Premium sanitaryware (brands like Duravit, Villeroy & Boch, Crosswater): £2,000 – £5,000
- Designer brassware: £500 – £2,000
- Natural stone or large format porcelain tiles: £1,000 – £3,000
- Underfloor heating (electric): £400 – £800
- Walk-in wetroom with linear drain: £500 – £1,500 (tanking and drain)
- Bespoke vanity unit or joinery: £1,000 – £3,000
- Smart mirror or illuminated cabinet: £300 – £1,000
- Labour (2 to 3 weeks with multiple trades): £3,000 – £6,000
Labour Costs Breakdown
Labour typically accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the total cost of a bathroom renovation. Here are the typical daily rates for the trades involved.
| Trade | Day Rate | Typical Days |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | £200 – £350 | 3 – 7 days |
| Tiler | £200 – £300 | 2 – 5 days |
| Electrician | £250 – £350 | 0.5 – 1.5 days |
| Plasterer | £200 – £300 | 0.5 – 1 day |
| Carpenter | £200 – £300 | 0.5 – 2 days |
If you are a tradesperson working out what to charge, our day rate calculator can help you arrive at a figure that covers your wages, overheads, and profit. Many plumbers who fit bathrooms act as the lead contractor and subcontract the tiling and electrics, adding a margin to manage the coordination.
Material Costs in Detail
Sanitaryware
The sanitaryware suite is usually the single biggest material cost. A budget suite (close-coupled toilet, pedestal basin, steel bath) can be bought for £200 to £400. A mid-range suite (wall-hung toilet, vanity unit basin, acrylic bath or walk-in shower) costs £600 to £1,500. Premium suites from brands like Duravit or Villeroy & Boch start at £1,500 and can exceed £5,000.
Tiles
Tile costs vary enormously. Budget ceramic wall tiles start at £10 to £15 per square metre. Mid-range porcelain tiles cost £25 to £50 per square metre. Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) starts at £50 and can exceed £100 per square metre. For a standard bathroom of approximately 15 square metres of wall and floor area, the tile budget ranges from £150 to £1,500 or more. Factor in adhesive, grout, and trims at approximately £50 to £150 additional.
Brassware
Budget taps and a basic bar shower mixer start at £100 for the set. Mid-range brassware (basin mixer, bath filler, thermostatic shower) costs £300 to £600. Premium brands like Hansgrohe, Crosswater, or Vado start at £500 and can exceed £2,000 for a full set.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Bathroom renovations are notorious for hidden costs that only become apparent once the old bathroom is stripped out.
Rotten floorboards or joists. Water damage from old leaks or poor waterproofing is extremely common, especially around toilets and showers. Replacing a section of floorboard is relatively inexpensive (£100 to £300), but damaged joists can cost £500 to £1,500 to repair.
Outdated plumbing. Older properties may have lead pipes, incompatible pipe sizes, or insufficient water pressure for modern showers. Upgrading the plumbing can add £500 to £1,500 to the project.
Electrical upgrades. Bathroom electrics must comply with Part P of the building regulations. If the existing wiring is outdated (no RCD protection, incorrect zones), an electrician will need to upgrade it. This typically costs £200 to £500.
Ventilation. Building regulations require adequate ventilation in bathrooms. If there is no existing extractor fan, installing one (including ducting to an external wall or through the roof) costs £150 to £400.
If you are a tradesperson, always include a contingency clause in your bathroom quotes to cover these potential issues. Our guide on what to include in a building quote covers this in detail.
Typical Timeline for a Bathroom Renovation
Here is a realistic timeline for a standard mid-range bathroom renovation.
Day 1: Strip out existing bathroom — remove old sanitaryware, tiles, and fittings. Assess condition of walls, floor, and plumbing.
Day 2 to 3: First fix plumbing — move or install new pipework, waste connections, and hot/cold feeds. Electrician carries out first fix wiring.
Day 4: Boarding and preparation — plasterboard any stud walls, install cement backer board for tiling areas, tanking if creating a wetroom.
Day 5 to 7: Tiling — walls first, then floor. Allow for adhesive and grout drying time between stages.
Day 8 to 9: Second fix plumbing — install sanitaryware, connect waste and water, fit shower, taps, and accessories.
Day 10: Second fix electrics, sealant work, final adjustments, and handover.
For builders and plumbers quoting bathroom work, providing a clear day-by-day timeline in your proposal sets customer expectations and reduces the most common source of disputes — perceived delays. Use our quote calculator to build accurate estimates quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new bathroom cost in the UK in 2026?
A new bathroom in the UK in 2026 costs between £3,000 and £20,000 or more depending on the specification. A budget bathroom renovation costs £3,000 to £5,000, a mid-range renovation costs £5,000 to £10,000, and a luxury bathroom costs £10,000 to £20,000 or more. These prices include labour, materials, sanitaryware, tiling, and plumbing.
How long does it take to fit a new bathroom?
A standard bathroom renovation takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the scope of work. A simple like-for-like replacement of sanitaryware with no layout changes can be completed in 5 to 7 days. A full strip-out and refurbishment with new plumbing, electrics, tiling, and sanitaryware typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
How much does a plumber charge to fit a bathroom?
A plumber in the UK typically charges £200 to £350 per day for bathroom fitting work in 2026. The labour cost for a complete bathroom installation (plumbing only, not including tiling or electrics) is typically £1,500 to £3,000 depending on complexity. This covers first fix pipework, waste connections, hot and cold supply, and fitting all sanitaryware.
Does a new bathroom add value to a house?
A well-fitted new bathroom typically adds 3 to 5 percent to the value of a property. For a home worth £300,000, that is an increase of £9,000 to £15,000. The return on investment is particularly strong if the existing bathroom is dated or in poor condition. Adding an en-suite to a master bedroom or a downstairs cloakroom where one does not exist can add even more value.