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How much does a bathroom renovation actually cost?

How much does a bathroom renovation actually cost?

By Benjamin Clarke | Published on 28th April 2020

A common question when thinking about giving your bathroom a makeover is how much will it actually cost me? It's an important question because you want to have a sensible budget and not find out upon completion of your bathroom that you've got a much higher bill than you originally thought.

In this article we'll provide you with some up to date information so that you won't get any nasty surprises when renovating your bathroom.

The average cost of a new bathroom

A standard, medium specification new bathroom will cost in the region of £4000 - £5000.

It's possible to have a new bathroom at a much cheaper price if you buy cheaper materials or do some of the work yourself. However, you need to consider if getting the cheapest bathroom possible in the short-term will cause you more expense and complications in the longer term.

At the more expensive end of the scale, the sky's the limit and you can easily spend £8000 - £10000 on a high quality bathroom - and even more if you want something super-luxurious.

A shower with beige patterned tiles

What is the bathroom for?

A major consideration on how much you should spend on a new bathroom is thinking about who and what is the bathroom for?

For example, if you are renovating an ensuite in your spare bedroom that only gets used a few times a year, is it necessary to go to the expense of having the absolute best quality fixtures and fittings installed?

Likewise, if you have a buy-to-let property, perhaps you should consider materials that are towards the cheaper end of the scale. Not so cheap that you'll need to be round to fix things every few months, but maybe not so expensive as a bathroom you'd install in your own home.

If you are renovating the main bathroom in your home, then that is a good reason to go for the best bathroom your budget will allow for. You and your family will be using it all the time so it's important you get something hardwearing, comfortable and suited to your tastes.

Like for like or new bathroom layout?

Another thing to think about when budgeting for your bathroom renovation is how different is your new bathroom is going to be from your old one.

If you're updating the bathroom suite and tiling then it will likely be pretty straightforward and won't require any expensive extras.

However, things like changing the position of the toilet or shower, knocking down airing cupboards, adding underfloor and central heating are all jobs that require considerable extra work and will substantially increase the cost.

Getting an electrician in to update the lighting or install a heated towel rail may also need to be factored in. You also need to consider how much waste there will be from your old bathroom, as this will need to be disposed of often by hiring a skip.

These are important details that should be discussed in detail with your bathroom fitter to work out what will and won't be possible within your budget.

A freshly redecorated bathroom

Some typical bathroom-related costs

Below are some approximate installation costs that you may encounter in planning for a new bathroom renovation. Of course, these costs can vary depending on who is doing the work and even where in the country you live. The cost of the bathroom materials of your choice naturally need to be added on top.

  • Bath/Shower installation: £125 - £225
  • Toilet installation: £70 - £145
  • Basin installation: £70 - £120
  • Taps installation: £60 - £80
  • Heated towel rail installation: £200 - £400
  • Extractor fan installation: £150 - £250
  • Tiling: £400 - £1500
  • Rubbish removal: £150 per tonne approx
  • Old bathroom suite removal: £100 - £200

Look around for a bathroom installer

If you're working within a budget, it's definitely worth getting at least three quotes from 3 different plumbers or bathroom installers. That will give you a good idea of what you should be paying for the kind of bathroom you want.

Always ask plenty of questions and always establish exactly what is included in the quoted price to avoid any unexpected extras at the end.

It's important to choose someone that you can communicate easily with. They are going to be in your house for a few days and doing something that means a lot to you, so ensuring you are able to speak frankly is a vital part of the process.


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