How Much Does a Bathroom Refit Cost in the UK?

A full bathroom refit in the UK typically costs between £3,500 and £12,000, depending on the size of the room, the specification of the sanitaryware and tiles, and whether the layout is changing.

Bathroom Type	Typical Cost Range
Small bathroom refit (4–6m², budget spec)	£3,500 – £5,500
Standard family bathroom (6–8m², mid-spec)	£5,500 – £8,500
Large family bathroom (8m²+, mid-spec)	£7,000 – £11,000
Luxury bathroom (any size, premium spec)	£10,000 – £25,000+
En suite (3–5m², standard spec)	£3,000 – £6,000
Wet room conversion	£4,500 – £9,000

These costs include supply and installation of all sanitaryware, tiling walls and floor, and first and second fix plumbing. They exclude structural alterations, moving drainage, and premium designer brands.

What Affects Bathroom Refit Costs?

Layout changes

If the new design keeps sanitaryware in the same positions, costs are lower — existing waste pipes and supply feeds are reused. Moving the toilet, bath, or shower to a new position requires new waste runs and can add £500–£2,500 to plumbing costs.

Tiling area and tile spec

Tiling is one of the most variable costs. A standard 6m² bathroom has roughly 16–20m² of tile area (walls + floor). At budget tile prices (£15–£25/m²), that’s £400–£700 in materials. At premium tile prices (£50–£150/m²), the same area costs £1,500–£4,500. Labour is broadly the same either way.

Sanitaryware specification

A budget suite (basin, WC, bath or shower tray) can be specified for £400–£700. A mid-range suite runs £800–£1,800. Premium brands (Villeroy & Boch, Duravit, Roca) start at £2,000 and can reach £8,000+ for the full set.

Shower enclosure vs wet room

A standard shower enclosure with tray is the most cost-effective option. A fully tanked wet room adds cost for tanking the floor and walls (£500–£1,200) but eliminates the enclosure. A frameless glass wet room screen costs £400–£1,200.

Underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating (under tiles) adds £300–£700 for a typical bathroom. Wet UFH (connected to the central heating system) costs more to install but runs cheaper — typically £600–£1,400 for a bathroom.

Typical Cost Breakdown: Standard Family Bathroom (7m²)

Trade / Cost Category	Typical Cost
Strip out and disposal	£400 – £700
First fix plumbing (new supply runs, waste)	£600 – £1,200
Waterproofing / tanking	£300 – £600
Wall and floor tiling (materials + labour)	£1,500 – £3,000
Sanitaryware supply (basin, WC, bath)	£800 – £1,800
Shower enclosure and tray	£600 – £1,400
Second fix plumbing (fit sanitaryware, taps, shower)	£600 – £1,200
Towel rail (electric or plumbed)	£200 – £500
Vanity unit / storage	£300 – £800
Ceiling, coving, and decoration	£400 – £700
Electricals (extractor fan, shaver point, lighting)	£400 – £700
TOTAL (approx)	£6,100 – £12,600

Regional Cost Variation

Labour rates for bathroom fitters and tilers vary significantly by region:

Region	Relative Cost
Inner London	+30–40% on labour
Outer London	+15–25% on labour
South East	+10–15% on labour
Midlands / North	Base rate
North East / Wales	−5–10% on labour

How to Price a Bathroom Refit Job

Manually pricing a bathroom refit means visiting a supplier or checking trade catalogues for each line item — tiles, sanitaryware, fixtures — and then building up labour time for each trade. It takes an experienced estimator 2–4 hours to do it properly.

PricingPro lets you price a bathroom refit in minutes. Describe the job (“full refit, 7m² bathroom, mid-spec, no layout changes, Leeds”) or upload a drawing, and the AI generates a fully itemised estimate with live prices from your preferred suppliers. Review, adjust any lines, and send the quote.

Generate a bathroom estimate →

FAQs

Do I need a plumber and a tiler separately? Many bathroom specialists — particularly small firms and sole traders — cover both plumbing and tiling. On larger projects, it’s common to use a plumber for first and second fix and a specialist tiler for the tiling work. Having both under one subcontract simplifies coordination.

How long does a bathroom refit take? A standard bathroom refit takes 5–10 working days. A complex project involving layout changes, underfloor heating, or structural alterations may take 2–3 weeks.

Can I supply my own sanitaryware? Yes, but be aware that many contractors will add a percentage to cover warranty and fitting liability. If you supply faulty goods, the contractor isn’t responsible for return visits. It’s often better to specify the products you want and let the contractor source them.

Is VAT charged on bathroom refits? Yes — standard VAT rate of 20% applies to bathroom refits on private domestic properties. VAT is reduced to 5% for mobility adaptations for elderly or disabled people.

How often should a bathroom be refitted? A well-fitted bathroom with quality materials should last 15–20 years before requiring a full refit. Many homeowners choose to refresh kitchens and bathrooms every 10–12 years for aesthetic reasons.

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