A new bathroom can be a welcome addition to your home, but it can also add genuine value to your property in the long run too. If you’re thinking about renovating your bathroom, there’s a lot to consider like ‘how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?’ Sometimes it can be difficult to cost up all of the elements that go into this. Here, we’ll go into a little more detail about how much you can expect to pay when renovating your bathroom.
Budgeting is key for your bathroom renovation project
Before we start, it’s worthwhile pointing out just how important budgeting is for home renovation projects like this.
It can be easy to get carried away with renovations when you haven’t got a renovation plan in place and additional costs can creep up on you. If you’ve not budgeted properly for a bathroom renovation and allowed for additional money to cover any unforeseen expenses, this can add to the stress of the situation. Make a budget in advance, add in all costs you can think of and then allow yourself a comfortable buffer to ensure you’re not caught out.
When considering a bathroom renovation and the associated costs, a homeowner loan quote can be a viable option to explore. Whether you’re upgrading fixtures, tiles, or even expanding the space, the expenses can add up. Whatever loan term or amount you’re looking for, we can help you get a quote from the right people to make your project happen.
Factors affecting bathroom renovation costs
There are a number of factors that can impact how much you’ll pay to renovate your bathroom. These include:
- How big your bathroom is
- How much work you need doing
- If there will be any structural changes
- Quality of finish
- The specs and materials used
- Whether this will be done by a professional or if there are any DIY elements
- The condition of your existing plumbing system and if you need any additional work done here
- Whether you require a new boiler
On average a bathroom renovation in the UK costs around £6,500. It’s certainly possible to renovate your bathroom for a lower cost if you wish to. If, however, you were looking for a more luxurious end result, you can expect to pay up to £15,000 or maybe even more. As mentioned above, the amount you pay can vary quite considerately based on how you want to approach this bathroom renovation project.
Costs of fitting a bathroom – £1,000 approx.
Fitting a bathroom will usually take a plumber around 2 or 3 days, if they’re working with the same type of space and layout of your old bathroom. This can cost in the region of £1,000 and will usually include the costs of removing your existing bathroom. Here, you’re paying for the labour, so if the job is larger or more difficult for any reason, you’ll be paying for the time taken to get the work completed.
Costs of tiling a bathroom – £85/m2
It’s likely to cost you around £85/m2 to tile a bathroom, though again this price is dependent on the quality and quantity of tiles you’ll be using. It’s important to think about both the appearance and suitability of the tiles you’re picking. You want your bathroom tiles to look good but also be resistant to humidity, water and slips.
On average it can take anywhere between 1-5 days to completely tile a bathroom. This is very much dependent on the type of tiles you’re using and the size of the room you are renovating.
Costs of a new shower – £60 – £2,000
You can spend as much or as little as you want on a shower. If you’re looking for the cheaper end of the scale, you can pay as little as £60, though if you’re looking for a more prestigious option, you can spend up to £2,000.
Electric showers are usually the cheaper option, these involve heating up the water on demand, as they only have a link to the cold water mains. This can sometimes mean that water power can be compromised. Installation is often quick and easy.
If you’d prefer a power shower, expect to pay at least £150 for this. These types of showers work by a connection to an internal pump to ensure water flow is consistent and high pressure. Power showers aren’t compatible with a combi boiler and these will need to be connected to both cold and hot water supply.
There are more luxurious options available on the market if you’re willing to spend £250 or more on a shower. These offer a range of features and jets which aren’t ordinarily available on the cheaper models.
Costs of a shower enclosure – £100 – £550
It’s not enough to just have a shower, you’ll need a shower enclosure too. The cost of this will depend upon the materials used and the style of shower enclosure you’d like. A basic version with a glass side panel and door can cost as little as £100. If, however, you wanted something more pleasing to the eye, you can spend up to £550. Don’t forget, you’ll also need to buy a shower tray which is sometimes not included in the price of cheaper shower enclosures.
Costs of a bath – £80 – £3,000
A bath can be the centrepiece of your bathroom, if you’re looking for a more high end finish that will ensure you relax in luxury at the end of your day, this can set you back up to £3,000. On the cheaper end of the scale, you can pay as little as £80 for a bath, though these will usually be made from thin acrylic which can feel flimsy. You can find better quality baths made from acrylic, though these will naturally cost more.
Costs of a sink basin – £50 – £300
Much like the bath and shower options above, the cost of a sink depends on the style you’re looking for and the materials used to make these. For example, if you’re after a more modern feel to add an extra level of personality to your bathroom, you can expect to pay £150 or more for your basin.
There’s a little more to consider here than simply the sink basin in itself. When picking a sink basin, you need to consider whether this will be freestanding as one unit or whether you would like to purchase a storage unit to go with this. Naturally, storage units with sink basins placed above will cost extra.
Costs of taps – £30 – £150
The cheapest types of taps are pillar taps, where you have a separate tap for hot and cold. These can cost as little as £30.
Mixer taps where you have one control to mix hot and cold will start at around £45, but can cost in excess of £100 depending on the style you choose.
Costs of a toilet – £50 – £500
Arguably the most important seat in the house, a bit of thought needs to go into the type of toilet you want. If you’re looking for something nice and simple, you can pay as little as £50, while better quality toilets which not only look good but conceal unsightly pipework too, can set you back as much as £500.
Extra costs to consider for your bathroom renovation
There are a number of additional costs which are often forgotten about when renovating a bathroom:
- Heating – radiators, underfloor heating, heated towel rails
- Extractor fan
- Lighting
- Furnishings and decor
- Cabinets, furniture and storage
Looking to renovate your bathroom?
Renovating a bathroom is a big job and not necessarily something recommended to do on your own if you haven’t had adequate training. Bathroom renovations can be a rewarding project, but it’s essential to plan carefully. By doing so, you can create a bathroom that not only meets your needs but also adds value to your home.
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Last Updated: October 17th, 2023
