If the cost of a new bathroom is putting you off having it done, there are some ways to save money and build this new bathroom you have been always dreaming off. Find out more about bathroom refurbishment cost in this guide.
in this article
Average Bathroom Renovation Cost
The average bathroom remodels costs around £5,000, with most homeowners spending £4,000 to £7,000. A small bathroom remodel costs £2,500 to £4,000 and a master bathroom can cost from £7,000 to £10, 000. Bathroom renovation cost per square metres comes around to £65.
- Installation and labour typically make up 20% or more.
- Materials and fixtures regularly account for 60% of the total project cost.
- Hiring a professional designer will cost you 5% to 10% of your total project cost.
Bathroom Remodeling Cost Factors
The most important cost factors when it comes to bathroom remodelling are i) Labour II) Materials iii) Bathroom size iv) Budget v) Trends and vi) Personal taste. You will not be able to control the spend in all of them but you can certainly try to lower the final cost to your advantage.
Bathroom Materials
The materials that you will choose for your bathroom will affect greatly the overall bathroom cost. For instance, laminate countertops are a lot cheaper than marble ones. Furthermore, any luxurious additions such as heated bathroom floors, a unique light fixture or Jacuzzi, will increase the total remodelling cost.
Bathroom Size
There is no need to say that the larger your bathroom the higher the bathroom remodelling cost. Flooring takes most of the budget, especially if you want to replace tiles with hardwood floor. Nevertheless, the size of your bathroom is the second biggest factor affecting your bathroom renovation cost.
Bathroom Budget
Budget planning is a very important aspect of every bathroom renovation project. No matter if you are planning to do the work yourself or hire a bathroom renovation specialist, you need to know exactly how much you can spend on every little aspect. That means that you need to set a budget for your cabinet hardware, shower, bathtub, toilet, basin and sticking to it. As unexpected costs might come up, do not forget to add a contingency section to your bathroom remodelling budget.
Bathroom Trends
When remodelling your bathroom you will need to take into consideration the current bathroom trends. By updating the bathroom hardware, you add style and increase the value of the property. However, if you prefer standard hardware and do not plan on selling your property anytime soon, it is not really worth doing it, if you are going to be miserable using it
Personal Taste
If you like your bathroom styled and decorated in a specific way, do not hesitate to make these changes when remodelling it. Just remember that you may have to make a few changes in the future when you decide to sell it.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s breakdown, labour costs are the most significant expense of a bathroom remodel and costing nearly 20% of the total expenses. Cabinetry and fixtures follow at 16% each, while design services at 4% are the least expensive.
Bathroom Renovation Costs
On average the cost of bathroom remodelling comes to £4,000, without taking into consideration the cost to connect new pipework. The majority of the budget is spent on labour costs as well as plumbing, fitting, electrical, skip hire, wall tiling and gutting.
However, you should expect to pay from £4,000 to £10,000 depending on the size of the project and the quality of materials. Renovating a bathroom in stages is much cheaper than remodelling everything at once. Common bathroom updates include fixing the damage, repainting, resurfacing, or replacing fixtures.
Bathroom renovations are typically fixing or replacing your current facilities, whereas renovation involves adding or replacing old fixtures such as showers, bathtubs, tiling, and possibly designing a new layout.
Sanitaryware costs can vary greatly depending on your personal taste, budget and if you choose to follow the latest trends or not. You will need at least a £1,000 budget to purchase all the necessary bathroom hardware. You may also have to spend a little more on decorating but this will not increase the total cost a lot and can be done later.
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove old Bathroom only | from £85 |
| Remove old bathroom and supply skip to dispose of old bathroom & packaging | from £185 |
| Install and connect a standard Bathroom suite (Bath, Basin, Toilet). | from £450 |
| Install a jet bathroom suite and connect it to existing plumbing. | from £500 |
| Install a standard bath wall hanging Basin and standard toilet. | from £500 |
| Install a standard bathroom suite. Wall hanging basin or back to wall toilet. | from £500 |
| Install or replace a cloakroom standard W/c Toilet & standard basin per cloakroom. | from £250 |
| Install or replace cloakroom, W/c Toilet or wall hanging basin per cloakroom | from £350 |
| Install half pedestal basin or bidet or wall hanging basin or W/C toilet | from £200 |
| Install floor or wall membrane waterproof tanking per sq metre (labour only). | from £40 |
| Install a jet bath, corner bath, P ship bath, freestanding bath | from £250 |
| installation of a bathroom wall, base or mirror | from £60 |
| Install a bath shower screen or bath panel or bathroom accessories | from £50 |
| Install décor/cornice or pelmet or plinth or flyover or shelf per length | from £30 |
| Move or install a heated towel rail or a radiator | from £130 |
| Install a bathroom wall thermostatic shower or wall mounted shower or power shower | from £250 |
| Install a shower tray or shower enclosure/screen per item | from £150 |
| Install a shower jet wall panel or 6 wall jets | from £250 |
| Replace a bath or basin or bidet or W/c | from £150 |
| Move or Relocate Water & Waste for Bath or Basin or W/C Toilet or Bidet per item | from £100 |
| Install or replace an existing electric wall shower | from £150 |
| Relocate main water stopcock for a maximum of 5 metres | from £100 |
| Install a corner or free-standing jet shower cabin including plumbing work | from £300 |
| Supply plumbing pipe hot or cold water pipe and waste per metre run | from £20 |
| Install or relocate soil pipe per metre run | from £50 |
Bathroom Tiles Cost
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- Low-end: £5.50 per sqm
- Middle-end: £12 – £25
- High-end: 85 per sqm
Most homeowners want a ceramic tile floor because it looks solid, is easy to maintain, and is durable. That’s the easy part. The hard part is finding the exact tile for your bathroom floor. Finding the right colour tile is even more difficult than finding the right colour of paint from one of those massive paint chip displays in your local home improvement store.
You must also make sure that the tile in your new bath is set properly. If not, grout can loosen and mould can invade your home, something you should avoid at all costs.
If you decide to have a tile tub surround, be sure you install cement board behind it. That’s because not having a rigid base on which to put the tile in moist areas can lead to loose tiles and moisture problems. Mould in your walls can be a very expensive problem to fix.
How Much Does a Bath Cost?
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- Low-end: £70
- Middle-end: £200
- High-end: £1,400 – £10,000
The cost of installing a bathroom will depend mostly on the material that you will select. If your budget is really tight the best two options are i) acrylic baths and ii) steel baths.
Acrylic baths usually are ready to be fitted in the frame, which can later be tiled or have some kind of decorative panel fitted to it. The price of a cheap acrylics bath starts from £70, but they are very sensitive and not very durable. The best type of acrylic baths is the ones that are made from thicker fibreglass-reinforced acrylic.
If you are trying to save money, then a good solution would be to go for a basic steel bath as it tends to be more durable. The price of a steel bath starts from £120. However, steel baths have the disadvantage of not being able to keep the water warm for a long time. Cast iron, timber and composite and stone baths are very expensive, so they are not recommended.
How Much Do Showers Cost?
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- Low-end: from £50
- Middle-end: £150
- High-end: £500 – £2,000 +
Electric showers are cheap and also very easy to install due to multiple cable and water entry points they have, which make them the best solution for replacing an existing shower. The way electric showers work is that they heat water on demand, that is provided by the mains cold water supply and stored water.
The pressure of the water depends on the pressure of the mains as they do not require a pump. Even though they do not tend to provide the same level of power provided by those showers connected to the main, choosing one with higher wattage, will give you better water flow. They are very economical and prices start from £50.
Bath/shower mixers are another cheap option, starting from £50. They use a valve to mix the existing hot and cold water before sending it to the shower head. The flow of the water is entirely dependent on the pressure of your water system. They are easy to install but perhaps their biggest advantage is getting the shower temperature right.
Manual shower mixers work by blending hot and cold water together to achieve the desired temperature. They usually require high water pressure to operate, which makes them ideal for unvented heating systems but even if you have a gravity-fed system, the pressure can be increased by using a shower pump. Prices start from £60, which makes them a good solution.
Thermostatic mixers operate in a similar way to manual shower mixers but they have a thermostat that helps adjust the water temperature if anyone else in the houses uses hot water. Prices start from £125.
Power showers work in a similar way to manual shower mixers, however, they have an integral pump to boost the water pressure, which makes them a perfect solution for homes suffering from low pressure. The only drawback is that they are not compatible with combi boilers. Power showers prices start from £200.
Digital showers mix the cold and hot water by using a thermostat and pump the water to the shower outlets. You have greater control over the flow and temperature of the water at the simple touch of a button. They are stylish, functional and practical. Digital showers prices start from £370.
Shower towers or shower panels are all about elegance and luxury and will transform your bathroom and bring shower experience into an entirely new level. With a shower tower, every day is a different experience with its body jets, handsets and amazing water flow.
How Much Do Shower Enclosures Cost?
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- Low-end: From £50
- Middle-end: £80 – £130
- High-end: £550 +
Shower enclosures or shower cubicles are a must of any modern bathroom. They are perfect for anyone that prefers a power shower instead of long hot soak in a bath. Shower enclosures are also very stylish and practical, creating the perfect showering experience with their great variety of sizes and styles available in the market.
The cost of a shower enclosure can vary significantly, starting from as little as £50-£90 for a basic one with a single or double door. On top of that, you will also need to include the cost for each shower tray, which comes to at least £60 each.
For a complete “wet room” style enclosure expect to pay around £550, whilst for a frameless fixed enclosure without a door, you will need to spend around £200.
If you are looking for wet room kit, prices start from £450. The kit contains almost everything you need to form a platform apart from tiles (waterproofing, drainage etc.)
How Much Does a Bathroom Basin Cost?
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- Low-end: £50
- Middle-end: £50 – £90
- High-end: £350 +
Bathroom basins come in a great variety and you can find something to suit your taste from eco-friendly models to ultra-modern vanity basin bowls. Pedestals are the most popular option in the UK, as they are affordable and can accommodate any taste and budget. They are constructed using high quality, easy to clean durable materials.
Full pedestal basins are the most popular choice, as they hide all the pipework that connects to the taps. They are also floor mounted which allows creating a neat and tidy finish from the floor to the basin. Full pedestal basins prices start from £25.
Semi pedestal basins are a better suited for smaller, en suite bathrooms and cloakrooms. There is a wide range of semi pedestal basin designs to choose from that can give a continental feed to a modern bathroom. Half pedestal sinks are also high quality, easy to clean and they conceal the pipework behind the wall, adding a bit more space to small bathrooms. Prices start from as little as £65.
Wall hung basins or mounted basins are attached to the wall and do not sit upon the platform. There is a great variety of designs to choose from such as curved and angular designs. Wall hung basins make an excellent choice for compact, en suite bathrooms and cloakrooms. They are also a popular choice for families with children as they hight can be adjusted. Mounted basins prices start from £75.
How Much Do Toilets Cost?
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- Low-end: £ 25
- Middle-end: £ 75 – £150
- Top-end: £400 +
Toilets come in both contemporary and classic styles in many different sizes and costs. Before choosing one for your home, make sure you know the size, budget and style to make it easier for you to find the right one. Also, before purchasing, make sure you measure carefully the distance between the floor drain and the wall, also called “rough-in”.
Bowl shape: With regards to the Bowl Shape you have two options; the first one is to select an elongated bowl and the second one to select a round bowl. Elongated bowls offer more comfort, whilst round bowls take up less space.
Toilet height: For standard-sized toilets, the rim is 14 to 15 inches off the ground. Toilets with a rim 16 1/2 inches off the ground are ADA-approved.
Toilet style: You can choose either a one-piece toilet, a two-piece toilet or wall-hung toilet. The most common types are the one-piece toilet as it is very economical and creates a sleek, stylish finish too. The two-piece toilet costs more to install but it saves more space. A wall-hung toilet cost more to install but it is Ideal for transfers from wheelchair or walker.
How Much Do Bathroom Taps Cost?
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- Low-end: £40
- Middle-end: £50 – £150
- High-end: £400 +
Taps are usually the last thing we pay attention to but we always need to choose the carefully as they add a finishing touch to the look of the bathroom. Fortunately, there is a great choice to choose from that suits all budgets and tastes.
Basin taps: Basin taps should be given a lot of consideration as they can help improve the overall style of your bathroom. Wash basins come with different types and styles of handles, depending on each one’s individual needs.
Bath shower mixer taps: Bath shower mixer taps combine functions of a tap and a shower.
Pillar taps: Pillar taps are available in both classic and contemporary designs and are made for baths and basins with two tap holes, it has a pair of separate pillars with one hot and one cold tap. They are both affordable and easy to install and feature a traditional crosshead or a more lever handle.
Freestanding taps: They are available in a variety of styles and from mixers and monoblocs and make a perfect choice for roll-top baths and countertop basins. They can also be used to add a traditional look to your bathroom or a contemporary appeal modern or minimalist bathroom designs.
Dual flow taps: Dual flows are ideal when you want to have equal pressure between cold and hot water flow within the body of the tap.
Monobloc: Monobloc taps are easy to use, neat and usually come with minimalistic designs. Cold and hot water is controlled by a mixer tap, through a single lever. Before you purchase, make sure you check the water pressure as Monoblocs only work if the cold and hot water pressure is almost the same.
How Much Do Bathroom Countertops Cost
The average cost to redo bathroom countertops starts from £450 per square metre (excl. VAT) depending on the labour and material costs. Extra fees may apply for tearing out the existing countertops.
| Material | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic or Porcelain Tile | £120 | £220 |
| Laminate | £120 | £220 |
| Concrete | £500 | £1,120 |
| Granite | £400 | £1,200 |
| Marble | £170 | £220 |
| Quartz | £390 | £4,200 |
Cost of Bathroom Electric
If you do not have any residual current device on your electrics, you may have to upgrade your consumer unit. The average price of upgrading your consumer unit is between £400 and £500, and an electrician will charge you between £150 and £ 200-day rate.
Cost of Bathroom plumbing
Ask your plumber to give you a fixed price for installing your bathroom plumbing components. You should also ask how long it will take for the job to be complete. To provide you with a rough estimate of what the plumber will charge as a day rate, be prepared for between £150 to £200.
Cost of Bathroom Carpentry
Expect carpenters to pay you between £120 and £150 but these rates as subject to changes depending on how much work is required and your location in the country.
Costs of Planning Permission
You will most likely not need to obtain planning permission for a new bathroom. However, if the bathroom is part of a loft conversion, you must confirm if it falls under permitted development or you have to get an approved application for it. If your house is a semi-detached or terraced house, the party act may apply. Check with your local authority and take a look at the Planning Portal.
You may have to consult with building regulations for electrical and drainage works, and this may cost you a fee. If your room does not have a bathroom presently, you will most likely need to get approval. The floor of the room may require strengthening if you are installing a bathroom in a room where one did not exist before. You can have all the necessary documentation prepared by a surveyor or structural engineer. Find details on the Planning Portal or get a surveyor (see rice.org) to help you prepare agreements.
If you are converting a loft and you plan to install a bathroom in it, but you are unable to work under permitted development rights, expect to spend £172 on householder planning application in England. When using your permitted development rights, you will spend £86 in England to get a certificate of lawful development. Check the Planning Portal to see other associated fees.
Cost of Party Wall
If the Party Wall etc. The act applies to your loft conversion where your bathroom is installed; you will need the services of a surveyor. Expect nothing less than £850 per neighbour.
Cost of Building Control
For standard loft conversion, the cost of building control is between £960 and £1,200, but if it is not the standard conversion, the price will be around £300. However, to be sure, check with your local authority.
I have a bigger budget, what else can I get for my money?
Even if you have a large budget it is still worth considering the tips above as you will have more to spend on other things such as:
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- Wet rooms are great if you have the space to enjoy the luxury of no shower or bath screen. The average price for a wet room alone is greater than £5,000
- Install heated towel rails so you will never have cold clammy towels again. These are priced from around £50.
- Spoil yourself with an en suite. This is a great selling point for your home if and when you want to sell. The cost will start at £5,000 and if you need plumbing and more wiring it will be a lot more as labour costs are high
Should I hire a contractor?
In most cases, this would definitely be advisable, after all, what is the point in buying a stunning new bathroom if the end job looks shoddy and incomplete? It will end up being a waste of your time, whereas if you hire a contractor to do the job for you, you should end up with a far better and much more professional end result. If you do decide to hire a contractor, remember to ring around a few local ones in your area to get a feel for a quote. Also, ask family, friends, neighbours and colleagues for recommendations.
Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association remodelling, your kitchen on a budget can still increase your home’s value by 67%. In addition, 38% of people have smaller than the average budget.
How To Save on Bathroom Renovation
Trying to cut the overall cost of a bathroom renovation project increases the return on investment. So, It is in your benefit to make your renovation more affordable. The following money-saving tips will help you:
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- Remodel in stages: First, replace all the broken or faulty parts and when you have more budget move to the other parts.
- Avoid moving the tub, toilet, or shower: Moving bathroom fixtures requires additional plumbing work that will increase the overall project cost.
- Consider starting from scratch: Depending on the state of the bathroom it may be more economical to spend time gutting the place before you start any kind of renovation work.
- Buy materials yourself: Doing research and buying the materials yourself can save you money as you will have to pay only for design services or consultation.
- Reuse or resurface fixtures: if you bathtub, toiler, sink or cabinets that are in good condition, consider reusing any or all of them. You can also refinish or resurface them or even repaint old fixtures as this way they will look like new and you will cut down the costs.
- Get your quantities right: Ask suppliers or contractors to help you establish accurate quantities of materials from your plans, allowing for wastage.
- Keep it simple: The simpler the design of the bathroom, the cheaper it will be to build.
- Reglaze and regrout old tiles: If the bathroom floor tiles are not cracked or chipped, you do not need to replace them but reglaze them after cleaning them by using intensive cleaning agents.
- Pick open shelves instead of cabinets: Open shelves are a very good alternative and cost significantly less than cabinets.
- Pay cash: Offering to pay cash can help when negotiating costs with builders or subcontractors. Always make sure that you get a receipt though.
- Do some DIY: If you are capable of doing several things yourself such as removing old fixtures, ripping out old tiles and tubs or painting the walls, then do not hesitate to do the work yourself.
How to find recommended bathroom fitters
Word of mouth
A good way to find a bathroom fitter or bathroom renovation specialist is by recommendation and word of mouth. Talk to family, friends and workmates who have had a bathroom remodel to tell you which remodelling contractors they used. One good tip is to ask people who had a new bathroom built a year ago as that is when any of the fitments if they are going to, will start to fail and show up bad workmanship.
Check the company’s reputation
It is all very good to do your own research and look up companies online to find the best bathroom installers. But, be wary of reviews on their own websites as there is always a danger these are not real people or jobs. Do check though to see if the company appears on online sites such a Freeindex and Trust Pilot as they verify and check the companies and the sites. The company website should also display a portfolio of the work they have already completed and a breakdown of what they specialize in. This is good to look at to see if it matches or compares to the bathroom you would like fitted.
Use third-party web sites
Use third party sites that connect you with tradesmen. If you would like to use the internet to find your bathroom installers then a good idea is to use third party sites such as ratedpeople.com, checkatrade.com and trustatrader.com who independently, check, verify and rate all the companies on their site. For example, trustatrader.com is a family run site where they insist on meeting and talking to all the traders on their site and check up on them every year. Looking for a bathroom renovation expert on here will provide you with some genuine and good options.
Discuss your project requirements
The next step to finding the best installer for your bathroom renovation is to phone around the companies you have narrowed your choice with and have a chat. Ask for them to send some examples of work they have already carried out or any testimonials of customers who are happy for you to speak to them. If they are a good quality company they should be willing to come out and meet you and have a look at the bathroom.
This will then let you see if you feel comfortable around them and they will get an idea of what exactly the job involves. They might want to look at your plans and designs and be able to discuss what and who would be needed to complete the project. They should be able to give you an idea of timescales and costs at this point.
TIPS: TEN WAYS TO LIGHT UP YOUR BATH
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- Shower power: Lighting in the shower should be bright enough to help avoid spills while making shaving easier.
- Tub tip: Recessed fixtures provide good general tub lighting.
- Window dressing: Windows provide natural light to supplement electric options.
- Night bright: Install linear lights in the toe-space below vanities and cabinets.
- Get glowing: Indirect (cove) lighting adds a soft, warm glow.
- Mirror, mirror: Vertical wall sconces flanking mirrors provide even facial lighting.
- Vanity fare: A halogen light above the vanity provides cross illumination when used in tandem with wall sconces.
- Table topper: Table lamps add a human touch to bathrooms. Display them away from water sources on tabletops or vanities.
- Ceiling star: A decorative light fixture suspended from the ceiling provides an elegant touch while adding extra light.
- Potty panache: Focused flood or halogen fixtures over the commode provide good light for reading.
Source: American Lighting Association
References
http://www.bathstore.com/products/bathroom-suites/buyers-guide/how-much-will-a-bathroom-suite-cost-me
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/bathroom-cost-guide/
http://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-improving/bathroom-refurbishment-where-do-i-start/
https://local.which.co.uk/advice/cost-price-information-bathroom-fitter
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/fitting-a-bathroom-a-diy-job/
http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/planning/bathroom-renovation-tips/
https://www.improvenet.com/r/costs-and-prices/bathroom-remodel-cost-estimator
https://www.thespruce.com/cut-your-bathroom-renovation-costs-326830
https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-much-does-a-bathroom-cost
https://conztract.co.uk/bathroom-cost-calculator/
https://homeguide.com/costs/bathroom-remodel-cost