How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost? A UK Price Guide for 2026
A new bathroom in the UK costs around £7,000 on average in 2026, but that widely quoted figure measures a standard refit: a new suite and retiling. A full renovation that strips the room back to the studs typically runs £8,000 to £12,000, and a high-end project can pass £15,000. In this guide you will see what the price depends on, where the money actually goes, and how to keep the budget under control without gambling on the waterproofing.
What do different types of bathroom renovation cost?
The first thing that decides the price is how deep you go. In practice there are three levels:
| Type of project | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (paint, new fittings, new fixtures) | £2,000-£4,500 |
| Standard refit (new suite, retiling, same layout) | £5,000-£8,000 |
| Full renovation (strip to studs), or high-end spec | £8,000-£15,000+ |
A cosmetic refresh means the tiles, waterproofing and pipework stay as they are. You paint the surfaces outside the wet zones, and swap the vanity unit, mirror, lighting and taps. If the bathroom looks tired but is technically sound, this gets you a surprising amount for the money. See our dedicated cosmetic refresh price guide for exactly where that money should go.
A standard refit is the job most UK price guides measure and the one most people buy: the old suite comes out, a new one goes in, and the wet zones are re-tanked and retiled, while the pipework broadly stays where it is.
A full renovation means stripping back to the studs: new tanking throughout, new pipework, new electrics, new tiles and a new suite. This is the deepest level, and the £7,000 average does not cover it. Expect London and the South East to run 15 to 30 per cent above all the figures here.
One thing you cannot do is keep it cheap by "just swapping the tiles". Why not, we come back to under the FAQs.
Why small bathrooms cost almost as much as big ones
Many people are surprised that a 4 square metre bathroom costs nearly as much as a 7 square metre one. The explanation is that most of the cost is fixed: the pipework has to go in, the wet zones have to be tanked, and the electrician needs roughly the same amount of time however big the room is.
As a rule of thumb, a bigger bathroom adds roughly £200 to £500 per extra square metre on top of the base price, mostly in tiling labour and materials. The square metres are not what sink the budget. The technical choices are.
Where does the money go?
This is how the costs typically split. On a full strip-out, expect the top half of each range:
- Plumber: £600-£2,000. New pipework, and fitting the bath, shower, toilet and basin. Plumbers charge £40 to £80 per hour, and a full refit usually takes 2 to 4 days across first and second fix. Moving the toilet or the soil pipe pushes you to the top of the range, or past it.
- Electrician: £500-£1,500. Lighting, an extractor fan, a shaver socket, and any electric shower or underfloor heating. Bathroom electrics are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, so use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme who can certify the work. This is not the place for shortcuts.
- Tiler: £600-£1,800 in labour for a typical bathroom, at £25 to £50 per square metre. Large-format tiles are often quicker to lay than small ones, and intricate patterns like herringbone cost the most.
- Waterproofing and tanking. The foundation of every wet zone. Usually included in the tiler's or bathroom fitter's price rather than quoted separately, and the reason experienced wet-room trades are worth their rates.
- Materials and fittings. The part you control most. Tiles run from around £15 per square metre to well over £100, and suites, shower enclosures and brassware span just as widely.
Always add a contingency of 10 to 15 per cent for surprises. Behind old tiles there is more damp and more uneven wall than people expect, especially in older properties. It is one of several reasons renovation budgets overrun, and our guide to the other six is worth reading before you fix a final number.
How to save money on a bathroom renovation
- Keep the toilet and pipework where they are. Moving the soil pipe is the single decision that adds the most cost. If you can live with the current layout, you save serious money.
- Do the strip-out yourself. Ripping out takes more sweat than skill and can save a few hundred pounds, often £300 to £800. Agree with your fitter first exactly what should be left standing, and budget for a skip.
- Buy the tiles, suite and fittings yourself. Watch for sales and end-of-line offers. Check that your fitter is happy to install what you supply.
- Get at least three quotes. Ask for a fixed price and an itemised description of what is included. It makes the quotes comparable, and it prevents arguments later.
- Plan everything before work starts. Changing your mind mid-job is the most expensive way to make decisions. Choose tiles, layout and fittings before anyone removes a single tile.
- Consider a cosmetic refresh. If the waterproofing and pipework are sound, paint, new fittings and new fixtures can lift the bathroom for a fraction of the price.
Don't cut corners on waterproofing
Everything that sits behind the tiles. Tanking, pipework and electrics are what separate a bathroom that lasts 25 years from a leak that costs more than the whole renovation. Use qualified trades for these jobs and keep the paperwork: the electrical certificate and any waterproofing guarantee. It matters to your insurer if something goes wrong, and it matters to the price the day you sell.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard refit usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, and a full strip-out renovation closer to 2 to 3. Tanking and tile adhesive need curing time, so the process cannot be rushed much even when everyone works efficiently.
What can I do myself?
Strip-out, painting outside the wet zones and assembling furniture are all realistic DIY jobs. Leave the tanking, plumbing and electrics to qualified trades. Bathroom electrical work has to be certified, and professional waterproofing matters both for insurance and for the value of your home when you sell.
Can I just replace the tiles and keep everything else?
Unfortunately, no, at least not in the wet zones. The tiles are bonded to the waterproofing layer behind them, so ripping the old tiles off destroys the tanking. New waterproofing has to go in, and at that point you are pricing a refit, not a refresh. If the goal is purely a visual lift, a cosmetic refresh without a tile swap is the realistic alternative.
Does a new bathroom add value to my home?
Yes. Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms buyers weigh most heavily. A newer bathroom with certified electrics and documented waterproofing makes a home easier to sell, and the paperwork is a real part of the value. If you are tackling both rooms, see our new kitchen price guide as well.
Do I need planning permission?
Rarely. Renovating an existing bathroom does not normally need planning permission. Building Regulations are a separate matter: electrical work is notifiable under Part P, and new drainage or a moved soil pipe can be notifiable too. Registered tradespeople can self-certify their own work. If in doubt, check with your local building control team.
Keep the whole bathroom project in one place
A bathroom project is quotes, invoices, photos and messages all at once. Pilt gathers everything in one place: the budget with receipts, the tasks, and the before and after photos. You can also upload a photo of your bathroom and see it restyled with AI, before you rip out a single tile.
Download Pilt on the App Store