Bathroom remodeling is one of those jobs where the price can feel impossible to pin down until you’ve had three people round, lifted a floorboard, and argued with yourself about tiles. In the UK, costs vary because labour rates shift by region, materials jump around, and older homes hide surprises. Then there are the rules: electrics, ventilation, and water efficiency can all affect your spec.
This guide gives clear UK cost ranges for 2026, a materials-vs-labour breakdown, the measurements that make quotes accurate, and simple ways to check you’re comparing like-for-like. By the end, you should know what’s “reasonable” for your budget and your bathroom type.
UK bathroom remodeling cost ranges (2026)
Understanding bathroom remodel costs in the UK helps set realistic expectations before you start picking tiles or taps. The figures below outline typical spends, what’s usually included, and how the type of bathroom, size, and finish choices can substantially influence the cost. It's important to know what to expect to avoid surprises later. This gives a clearer picture of where your budget might land in 2026.
Average UK spend and what it includes
A useful anchor is the average cost of a new bathroom, which UK homeowners report as about £6,000. This includes essential bathroom fittings and fixtures like a bath or shower, toilet, basin, and tiling. That figure is often close to what people mean when they say “a full bathroom renovation”: replacing the main suite, updating finishes, and paying trades to do it properly rather than patching over problems. The data is published as part of wider UK home renovation statistics, so it’s not just a single installer’s price list.
In real life, £6,000 typically covers a fairly standard bathroom: a bath or shower, a toilet and basin, basic lighting, new tiling in the wet areas, and fitting, including accessories like towel rails or mirrors. It usually assumes you’re not moving the toilet, not rebuilding rotten floors, and not turning the room into a wet room. Once you start changing the layout or uncovering structural issues, the “bathroom remodel cost” can climb quickly.
So what is a reasonable budget for a bathroom remodel in 2026, and how does the model of your fittings impact the cost? For many UK homes in 2026, £5,000–£8,000 is a sensible middle ground if you want a clear uplift in look and reliability without chasing luxury finishes.
Typical price bands: budget, mid-range, premium
Most UK searches for how much does a bathroom renovation cost land in a broad “typical” range, then separate into budget and high-end projects depending on layout changes and finishes. Use the bands below as planning numbers, then refine once you’ve confirmed measurements and your specification.
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Band (UK, 2026)
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Typical spend
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What it usually looks like
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Budget refresh
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£3,000–£5,000
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Keep layout, replace key items (maybe a new toilet and basin), limited tiling, straightforward installation
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Typical bathroom remodel cost (most common)
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£4,000–£8,000
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New suite and fittings, fresh tiling in wet zones, improved lighting/ventilation, professional fitting
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Mid-range
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£8,000–£12,000
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Better tiles and furniture, upgraded shower enclosure, more tiling coverage, some pipework changes
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Premium
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£12,000–£20,000
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Wall-hung WC, concealed cistern, large-format porcelain, feature lighting, possibly underfloor heating
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High-end
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£20,000+
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Wet room build-ups, specialist finishes like natural stone, layout changes, higher-end brassware, more complex build
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These ranges overlap on purpose because a “small bathroom” can be more expensive than a larger one if access is awkward, the subfloor is weak, or you need to reroute drainage.
Cost by bathroom type: cloakroom vs family bathroom vs en-suite
Bathroom type matters because it changes the number of fittings, the amount of tiling, and how complex the plumbing is.
A cloakroom often looks small on paper but can still be fiddly. If it’s under stairs in a UK terrace, access can be tight, walls can be out of square, and there may be more making good than you expect. Costs tend to sit lower because there’s no bath, but the shower baths or the smaller size of the room can impact the cost per square metre.
A family bathroom is where most of the £6,000-average projects sit. You’re often replacing a bath, upgrading a shower over the bath or fitting a separate shower enclosure, and refreshing the whole feel of the room with better storage and lighting.
An en-suite is usually quicker to fit than a family bathroom, but it can become expensive if it’s in a loft conversion or boxed in with limited service access. It also tends to need reliable ventilation because many en-suites have small windows or none at all.
To make this feel real, here are two common UK scenarios to help you know what to expect when setting a budget for your bathroom remodel:
In a Victorian or Edwardian terrace, the family bathroom might be long and narrow, with the soil pipe dictating where the WC sits. If you keep the WC where it is and focus on a new bath/shower, tiling, and storage, you’re more likely to land in the typical £4,000–£8,000 band. If you try to “flip” the layout for better flow, the drainage and boxing-in work can push you into mid-range pricing.
In a modern new build, the walls and floors are often more regular, and service routes can be simpler. That can reduce labour time, but people also tend to choose more fitted furniture and large-format tiles, which lifts materials costs. A “simple” upgrade can still land at £8,000–£12,000 if the spec is higher.
Regional labour variation and why quotes differ
Two quotes can look wildly different even when you think you’ve asked for the same thing. Part of that is normal regional variation in UK labour costs, which shows up in national renovation datasets. According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), regional differences in labour costs are a significant factor in determining the overall cost of a bathroom renovation.
But it’s not just geography. Quotes also differ because one installer may include more “invisible” work: protecting floors, isolating electrics properly, tanking wet areas, waste removal, and coming back to sort snagging. Another may assume you’ll handle disposal, buy every fitting yourself, or accept minimal making good.
The key point is that the cheapest quote often isn’t cheaper because the work is easier. It can be cheaper because the scope is thinner.
Bathroom remodeling cost breakdown (materials vs labour)
A good way to manage renovation costs is to split your thinking into two buckets: what you’re buying (materials) and what you’re paying people to do (labour). Many UK bathroom projects end up close to a 50/50 split, but it swings based on your design choices and whether the layout stays put.
Labour costs by trade: plumber, electrician, tiler, fitter
You may hire a single bathroom fitter who covers most trades, or you may manage separate specialists. Either way, understanding the day rates helps you sanity-check your estimate.
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Trade (UK)
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Typical day rate (guide)
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What’s usually included
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Plumber
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£200–£350/day
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First fix pipework, connecting bath/shower, fitting WC and basin, testing for leaks
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Electrician
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£250–£400/day
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Lighting upgrades, fan wiring, shaver socket, bonding; certification where required
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Tiler
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£200–£350/day
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Surface prep, tile fitting, grouting and sealing (materials usually separate)
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Bathroom fitter (multi-trade)
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£200–£350/day
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Co-ordinating tasks, fitting suite/furniture, basic carpentry and making good
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Rates rise in higher-cost areas, especially London, and also rise if your bathroom is a “problem room”: poor access, lots of awkward cuts, or older walls that need levelling.
If you’re wondering what the most expensive part of renovating a bathroom is, it’s often labour linked to complexity. A straightforward swap can be quick. A layout change that involves drainage, floor build-ups, and re-tiling can multiply the time on site.
Materials/supply costs: suite, taps, shower, enclosure/screen, vanity, tiling
Materials are where you can steer the budget up or down without changing the basics of the room. The trick is to spend where it affects reliability and daily use, and be more relaxed where it’s mostly decorative.
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Item
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Budget range
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Mid-range
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Higher end
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Toilet (WC)
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£100–£250
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£250–£500
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£500–£1,200+
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Basin
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£60–£200
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£200–£450
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£450–£1,000+
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Bath (standard acrylic)
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£150–£400
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£400–£800
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£800–£2,000+
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Shower (thermostatic)
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£150–£350
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£350–£700
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£700–£2,000+
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Shower enclosure / screen
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£150–£400
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£400–£900
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£900–£2,000+
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Vanity unit
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£150–£400
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£400–£900
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£900–£2,500+
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Tiles (per m²)
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£15–£30
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£30–£60
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£60–£150+
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Even small line items add up. A £50 difference on a towel rail, a nicer mirror cabinet, and upgraded taps can quietly turn into £500–£800 by the time you’ve picked everything.
Extras that commonly push bills up: skip/waste, making good, subfloor repairs, replastering
This is where many bathroom renovation mistakes happen: people budget for the shiny new bathroom suite, then get caught out by the “boring” bits.
Waste is a classic example. An old bathroom creates more rubbish than you expect: broken tiles, old plasterboard, packaging, and the old bath. If your property has limited access, waste removal can take longer and cost more. Skips also need space, and permits may apply depending on where they sit.
Making good matters too. After the old bathroom comes out, you might find damaged plaster behind tiles, crumbling window reveals, or a floor that flexes because the subfloor is tired. In older homes, it’s not unusual to need local repairs before tiling can even start. None of this feels like progress, but it’s what makes the finished room last.
If you’re renovating a bathroom from scratch in a 1930s semi, for instance, you might discover patchy plaster when you remove thick old tiles. In a Victorian terrace, you might find uneven walls and floors that need extra preparation so the shower enclosure seals properly and the glass panels sit true.
VAT and invoicing basics for bathroom renovation work (UK context)
VAT is easy to forget when you’re comparing quotes, especially if one contractor is VAT-registered and another isn’t. In the UK, most bathroom refurbishment work is charged at the standard VAT rate, and a proper invoice should show whether VAT is included or added on top.
If a quote looks “too good”, check whether it’s a cash price without VAT, or whether it excludes key items like electrics, waste, or waterproofing. For VAT rules and when VAT applies, it’s safest to read the government guidance directly.
The biggest cost drivers: layout changes, plumbing and compliance
People often start with a mood board: calm colours, a dream bathroom shower, a wall-hung loo. Then reality arrives in the form of your soil pipe and the existing drainage. In the UK, the most expensive jumps in cost usually come from layout change, plumbing reroutes, and compliance work that can’t be skipped.
Moving the toilet/soil pipe and drainage changes
Moving a toilet increases bathroom renovation cost in the UK because it’s tied to gravity drainage and a big pipe that has to run with the right fall. If your WC connects to an external soil stack, the stack position can be a hard constraint, especially in terraces where the pipe route is shared or boxed in through multiple floors.
A small move can still be a big job. Shifting a WC by even 300–600 mm may mean opening floors, altering joists carefully, relocating the soil pipe, and then rebuilding the floor and ceiling below. It also tends to trigger extra making good and re-tiling because the old pipe route leaves holes.
If you want a better layout, it’s often cheaper to move the basin or swap a bath for a shower than to move the WC. That’s why many designers start with the toilet position first, then build the rest of the bathroom layout around it.
Shower vs bath vs wet room conversion costs
The “bath or walk-in shower?” decision is one of the biggest budget shifters because it changes waterproofing detail, drainage, and sometimes the floor structure. It can substantially influence the cost of your bathroom renovation.
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Option
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Typical cost impact (UK guide)
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What makes it cheaper or pricier
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Replace bath like-for-like
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Lower
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Uses existing waste position; standard acrylic baths keep costs steady
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Convert bath to walk-in shower
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Medium
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May need new pipework, new tray, new enclosure, more tiling and waterproofing
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Build a wet room
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Higher
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Tanking/waterproofing across floor, creating falls, wet-room drain, often more labour and risk control
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How much does it cost to convert a bath to a walk-in shower in the UK? If the plumbing is accessible and you choose a standard shower tray and enclosure, many projects sit in the mid hundreds to a few thousand pounds for the conversion work on top of other updates. If you’re also re-tiling most walls, changing the layout, and upgrading electrics and ventilation at the same time, it can land in the wider £4,000–£8,000 typical band for the full remodel.
Wet rooms are brilliant in the right home, but they’re rarely the cheapest route. The build-up for the correct falls (so water runs to the drain), plus full tanking, is where costs and risk live. If that part is rushed, it’s not a cosmetic issue later; it becomes a leak.
Electrics and safety sign-off
Bathrooms are special locations for electrics because of water and steam. In the UK, certain electrical work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, and you’ll want proper certification for safety and for future buyers.
This affects costs in subtle ways. For example, upgrading lighting might mean new wiring routes if the old wiring is not suitable, and adding a better fan might require wiring changes and safe isolation. If you’re adding electric underfloor heating, that’s another electrical load to plan and certify.
Water efficiency and ventilation requirements that affect specification
Two “hidden” drivers of specification are water efficiency and ventilation.
Part G covers sanitation and hot water safety and also touches water efficiency expectations in new work. In practical terms, it nudges you towards sensible flow rates and fittings that don’t waste water. Part F is about ventilation, which matters because bathrooms are damp by nature. If your current room steams up and stays wet, a new bathroom that looks perfect on day one can end up with mould if ventilation is not improved.
This is why spending a bit more on a properly sized, correctly ducted extractor fan is often better value than spending the same money on a more decorative tile. It’s also one of the upgrades that tends to add value, because buyers spot condensation issues quickly.
Do You Need Building Control or Planning Permission for a Bathroom Renovation?
In the UK, planning permission is rarely required for internal bathroom changes, but Building Regulations will often apply, particularly regarding electrical work under Part P. For more detailed guidance on when planning permission or Building Control approval is necessary, the Planning Portal offers comprehensive information on the application process. Any modifications that affect structural elements or change the external appearance of the property might need approval. Additionally, if you live in a flat, leasehold property, or a listed building, you may need consent from your freeholder or conservation officer before proceeding with work.
Sizes & measurements that affect pricing (UK spec checklist)
A big reason quotes drift is that “small bathroom” means different things to different people. If you want accurate pricing, you need a few key measurements in mm/cm, and you need to know what will physically fit without awkward compromises.
Standard UK fixture sizes to price correctly
Installers and suppliers often price around common UK sizes, so sticking to standard dimensions can protect your budget.
A typical bath size in the UK is 1700 × 700 mm. In smaller rooms you might see 1600 × 700 mm or shorter options, but once you go off-standard you can pay more and reduce choice.
Common shower tray sizes include 800 × 800 mm, 900 × 900 mm, and 1200 × 800 mm. For a small bathroom, a quadrant tray can help because it softens the corner and improves circulation, but it can also affect enclosure costs.
Wall-hung toilets and concealed cisterns can save floor space and look modern, but they require a frame and boxing-in depth, which reduces usable room size and adds labour.
Minimum practical clearances for showers, doors and circulation
You don’t need perfect architectural drawings to plan a bathroom. You do need to check clearances so the room works day-to-day.
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Fixture / Item
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Typical size
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Practical front clearance
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Notes
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Bath
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1700 × 700 mm
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600 mm+
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Comfortable bath entry/exit
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Basin
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500–600 mm wide
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600 mm+
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Allows washing + face/lean space
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WC (toilet)
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varies
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Comfortable seated knee space
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Bathroom door
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–
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Check swing
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Sliding door can save space
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Circulation
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–
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600–800 mm
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Depends on layout
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These aren’t “legal minimums” for every situation, but they’re practical. If you ignore them, you can end up paying extra for clever fixes later: swapping to sliding doors, changing to smaller furniture, or moving radiators and towel rails because the door clashes.
Tiling area calculations: walls, floors, splash zones
Tiling costs are easy to underestimate because you pay for both materials and time, and the time goes up with more cuts, niches, and patterns.
A simple way to estimate is to calculate:
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Floor area (m²) = length × width
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Wall tile area (m²) = (perimeter × tile height) minus windows/doors (roughly)
Here’s a simple outline you can use as a quick calculator.
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Area to tile
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How to estimate
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Example (approx)
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Floor
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length × width
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2.2 m × 1.8 m = 3.96 m²
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Shower wall (single)
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width × height
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0.9 m × 2.0 m = 1.8 m²
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Bath splash zone
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bath length × tile height
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1.7 m × 1.2 m = 2.04 m²
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Full height walls
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perimeter × height
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8.0 m × 2.3 m = 18.4 m²
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Add a sensible allowance for wastage, especially with patterned or large-format tiles, because offcuts and breakages happen. Labour can also climb if your old walls need levelling before tiling.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in the UK? It depends on area and tile choice, but tiling is one of the places where the “typical bathroom remodel cost” jumps into mid-range if you go from splash zones to full-height walls everywhere, or you choose premium materials like natural stone that need more careful handling and sealing.
Small bathroom pricing realities (<4m²): what typically has to change
A small bathroom under 4m² can be cheaper because there’s less tile and fewer metres of pipe. On the other hand, it can be more expensive because everything is tighter.
In a 1930s semi, you might have a compact bathroom with a standard bath across the back wall. If you keep that layout, you can often renovate within the typical range and focus on better storage and lighting. But if you want a larger walk-in shower, you may need to replace the bath, move the towel rail, and rework the doorway so circulation still works.
In a Victorian terrace, the room may be narrower, and walls may not be square. That can increase labour time for tiling and fitting a shower enclosure. It’s also common to find older pipe runs that are not where you’d put them in a new build, so the fitter spends longer just to make the “simple installation” behave.
Fixture and finish price bands (choose specs, predict costs)
If you want to manage cost without stripping the joy out of designing a new bathroom, it helps to decide early where you’re going budget, where you’re going mid-range, and what (if anything) is your one luxury.
Toilets and basins: close-coupled vs wall-hung; concealed cistern implications
A close-coupled toilet is usually the simplest and cheapest to install because it’s self-contained and doesn’t require building a frame into the wall. A wall-hung WC can look cleaner and makes floor cleaning easier, but it tends to cost more because of the concealed frame, the boxing-in, and the fact that future access must be planned.
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Spec choice
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Typical cost effect
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What to watch
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Close-coupled toilet
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Lower
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Straightforward replacement, but check waste outlet position
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Back-to-wall toilet with concealed cistern
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Medium
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Needs boxing-in and an access panel
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Wall-hung toilet (wall-hung)
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Higher
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Strong frame fixing, careful alignment, more making good
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A similar story applies to basins. A simple pedestal basin is usually cheaper. A vanity unit costs more but adds storage, which can make a small bathroom feel calmer and more organisational.
Taps and showers: thermostatic vs digital; water-saving fittings
Taps and showers are one of the most tempting places to upgrade because you touch them every day. Thermostatic showers are common in the UK because they help keep temperature steady. Digital showers can add features and a cleaner look, but they may increase installation complexity and can raise the overall bathroom remodel cost.
There’s also a market push towards upgraded fittings, including water-saving options, which matters for long-term running costs and water efficiency thinking.
If you’re aiming for a sensible balance, a good thermostatic shower and decent taps often give the best day-to-day feel without dragging the budget into “higher end” territory.
Tiles and flooring: ceramic vs porcelain vs natural stone; underlay/tanking requirements
Ceramic tiles can be a solid mid-budget choice, especially for walls. Porcelain is harder and often more water resistant, which can make it a good pick for floors and shower zones, but it can also be harder to cut, which can increase labour time.
Natural stone is beautiful, but it often needs sealing and more careful maintenance. If you choose it for a wet area, you’re also leaning more heavily on correct waterproofing behind it. That’s why wet room tanking and careful floor build-ups are “worth paying for” parts of the job.
Flooring choice can also affect prep. If your subfloor needs repairs, or you’re changing levels, that’s labour and materials before the finish even goes down.
Bathroom furniture and storage: fitted vs freestanding; worktops and mirror cabinets
Storage is one of the biggest day-to-day quality upgrades, especially in UK homes where linen cupboards can be limited. Freestanding furniture is often cheaper and easier to swap later. Fitted furniture can look seamless, but it’s less forgiving in older rooms with wonky walls.
Worktops, integrated basins, and mirrored cabinets can lift the look quickly. They also add line items to your budget, so it helps to decide early whether storage is a priority or a “nice if it fits”.
Cost-saving vs “worth paying for” upgrades (UK budgets)
Everyone wants to save money, but the best savings are the ones you don’t regret a year later. The easiest way to keep renovation costs under control is to avoid expensive changes that don’t improve the way the bathroom works.
Where to save without false economy: keeping layout, standard sizes, mid-range tiles
If you want to make your budget go further, keeping the layout is usually the biggest win. It avoids drainage changes, reduces time on first fix plumbing, and cuts down on making good. Choosing standard sizes (like a 1700 × 700 mm bath and common shower trays) also keeps options open and stops you paying extra for unusual fittings.
Tiles are another place to be calm. Mid-range tiles can look great if the room is well lit and the grout lines are neat. Many bathrooms look “expensive” because the layout works and the finishing is tidy, not because every surface is premium.
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Save option
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Why it helps
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Trade-off
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Keep WC position
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Avoids soil pipe/drainage work
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Layout may stay familiar rather than “perfect”
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Keep bath/shower waste location
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Less pipework and floor disruption
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Limits design freedom
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Use standard acrylic baths
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Lower purchase cost
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Less “luxury feel” than heavier materials
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Mid-range tiles
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Good look for the money
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Some premium textures/edges not available
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Where to spend for long-term value: ventilation, waterproofing, quality brassware
If you only “splurge” in a few places, pick the parts that protect the room and reduce future repairs.
Ventilation is a big one. A better fan (correctly installed and ducted) can stop mould and peeling paint, a simple tip to help maintain your bathroom’s longevity. Waterproofing is another. In showers and wet areas, correct tanking and careful sealing matter more than the tile you choose.
Quality bathroom fittings and fixtures (taps, shower controls) are also worth considering because they may impact the long-term reliability and maintenance of your new bathroom. A drip behind a wall can cause more damage than a cracked tile ever will.
This links to a common question: what adds the most value to a bathroom? In UK homes, value often comes from a clean layout, good ventilation, a reliable shower, and finishes that still look fresh in five years. Buyers may not know the price of your tiles, but they notice condensation, low water pressure, and poor lighting immediately.
Sustainability upgrades and running-cost thinking: low-flow taps, efficient showers
Sustainability doesn’t have to mean expensive. Some of the simplest upgrades are fittings with sensible flow rates and showers that feel strong without wasting water. It can also mean choosing durable surfaces that don’t need replacing quickly.
In the UK, water efficiency expectations sit within building standards thinking (Part G), and manufacturers publish flow rates for fittings. Even if you’re not chasing “eco” labels, it’s worth checking that your choices match how you actually live. If you have a busy household, the running cost difference between an inefficient shower and a more efficient one can be noticeable over time.
Accessibility/future-proofing costs: level-access shower, grab rails, wider door options
Future-proofing is easiest when you plan it early. If you think you might need easier access later, a level-access shower (or at least a low-profile tray), reinforced walls for future grab rails, and sensible circulation space can be money well spent.
Part M relates to access to and use of buildings. Even when you’re renovating a home bathroom, it’s a helpful reference point for thinking about safer layouts and practical widths.
How long a bathroom remodel takes in the UK (typical timeline)
Bathroom renovations in the UK typically span 7–15 working days for a like-for-like replacement, and 2–4 weeks if there are significant changes such as layout adjustments, pipework modifications, or full-height tiling. The stages include:
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Strip-out: This involves removing old fixtures, tiles, and plumbing elements. This stage usually takes a few days.
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First fix: The initial phase of plumbing and electrical installations, including any pipework or wiring adjustments.
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Tanking/Tiling: Waterproofing (especially important for wet rooms) and tiling, which can take up to a week or more depending on the complexity.
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Second fix: Installation of final fixtures such as taps, basins, and the finishing touches.
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Snagging: The final review and correction of any minor issues. Wet rooms can often take longer due to tanking and curing periods.
Quotes, scope control and avoiding cost overruns
Most cost overruns don’t happen because someone bought one expensive tap. They happen because the scope was vague, assumptions were different, and problems were discovered mid-job.
What a UK bathroom quote should itemise
When you request a quote, you’re not just asking for a number. You’re asking for a clear description of what “done” means. A proper UK quote should spell out labour, what is supplied, and what is excluded. If you can’t see the main building blocks, it’s hard to compare contractors or challenge a surprise bill later.
A quote should usually make clear:
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labour and how many days are assumed
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plumbing work and what’s included in “first fix” and “second fix”
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electrics, fan, lighting, and any certification
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waterproofing/tanking approach for showers or wet areas
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waste removal (including skip or disposal runs)
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fittings and fixtures: whether they’re supply-only by you or supplied and fitted
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making good and snagging
This is where many people get caught by “separately” priced items. For example, a fitter might quote to install a shower enclosure but exclude the price of the enclosure itself, the new tray, or the extra tiling needed to make it watertight.
Getting like-for-like pricing: spec sheet template (download/tool note)
You don’t need a fancy design package to get accurate quotes. You just need a one-page spec sheet that stops guesswork.
A simple template can include: room dimensions, door and window positions, what you’re keeping, what you’re replacing, tile coverage (full height or splash zones), flooring choice, lighting plan, fan plan, and a short list of fittings with sizes.
When you send the same spec to each builder or contractor, you’re more likely to get like-for-like pricing and less likely to be told later that you “never mentioned” something.
Common pricing traps: provisional sums, exclusions, “supply only” assumptions
Provisional sums are not always bad, but they are often misunderstood. They usually mean “we’ve allowed a placeholder amount because we can’t confirm the real cost yet.” In bathrooms, that might apply to subfloor repairs, hidden pipework issues, or making good once tiles come off.
Exclusions are another trap. A quote might exclude decorating, exclude disposal, exclude moving wiring, or assume you will plumb in certain items yourself. “Supply only” assumptions can also trip you up: you buy the suite, but then discover you’re missing fixings, wastes, isolation valves, or the right style of trap for the vanity unit.
If you want to manage cost, the goal is not to remove every unknown. It’s to make the unknowns visible, so you can budget a contingency and make decisions early.
When specialist installers matter for cost certainty
There are times when paying for skilled specialists protects your budget rather than inflating it. Bathrooms combine water, electrics, and finishes in a small space, so mistakes can be expensive to undo.
If you’re doing a wet room, moving drainage, or upgrading electrics, it’s sensible to use properly qualified trades and ask for clear paperwork. For choosing and checking builders, recognised UK trade bodies can be a starting point for understanding expectations and standards.
The correct order to remodel a bathroom (so you don’t pay twice)
People often ask this after something goes wrong, like fitting new flooring and then lifting it again to fix pipework. The simplest order keeps messy work first and finishing work last:
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finalise the bathroom layout and measurements
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choose fittings (at least the sizes) before work starts
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isolate water and electrics, protect access routes
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strip out the old bathroom and remove waste
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first fix plumbing and wiring (including fan ducting)
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repair and prep surfaces (floors/walls), then waterproof where needed
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tile and floor finishes
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second fix: fit the bathroom suite, taps, shower, lighting, and snagging
This order is also why layout changes are expensive: they affect the early stages and can ripple through every later step.
Bathroom remodeling cost FAQs
1. How much does bathroom remodeling cost in the UK in 2026?
A typical bathroom remodel in the UK usually lands between £4,000 and £8,000, with the average new bathroom cost UK reported at around £6,000. The bathroom remodel cost can rise if you move plumbing, update drainage, or opt for premium finishes like marble worktops, designer tiles, or frameless showers. Even small upgrades such as heated towel rails or smart mirrors can add to the final price, so planning your budget carefully is key to avoid surprises.
2. Is it cheaper to keep the same bathroom layout in the UK?
Yes, sticking to the same layout is one of the most reliable ways to control bathroom remodeling costs. Labour is faster, and you avoid expensive changes to soil pipes and drainage. Keeping the layout doesn’t mean you compromise on style—you can still refresh a space with new tiles, a modern vanity, or updated fixtures without blowing the typical bathroom remodel cost.
3. How much does it cost to convert a bath to a walk-in shower in the UK?
Converting a bath to a walk-in shower is usually a mid-range upgrade within a bathroom remodel. If plumbing stays close to its original position and you use standard fittings, the costs are reasonable. However, prices increase if you need extra tiling, floor repairs, or a wet-room style finish. Features like frameless glass screens, rainfall showerheads, or anti-slip tiles also add to the bathroom remodel cost, so it’s wise to budget a little extra.
4. How much does it cost to tile a bathroom in the UK?
Tiling costs depend on both area and tile choice. Splash-back tiling is cheaper than full-height walls, and simple layouts cost less than intricate patterns, mosaics, or natural stone. Labour is often the main factor in bathroom remodeling, so any niches, insets, or complex designs will raise the typical bathroom remodel cost. Don’t forget durable floor tiles—they can add to the average new bathroom cost UK, but they’re essential for a lasting finish.
5. Does moving a toilet increase bathroom renovation cost in the UK?
Yes, moving a toilet is one of the changes most likely to raise bathroom remodel cost. It may involve opening floors, rerouting drainage, and boxing in pipework. Toilets need correct falls to the soil pipe, so this isn’t just cosmetic work—it’s technical plumbing. Even small adjustments can push a project above the typical bathroom remodel cost, so it’s worth careful consideration when planning your bathroom remodeling budget.
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