How much does a new bathroom cost in 2026?

A full bathroom renovation in the UK typically costs £3,000–£10,000, depending on the size, quality of fittings, and amount of work required. A basic bathroom refresh (re-tiling and new suite) costs around £3,000–£5,000, a mid-range renovation with good quality fittings costs £5,000–£8,000, and a high-end or luxury bathroom can cost £8,000–£15,000+. Labour makes up around 40–60% of the total cost. Costs are higher in London and the South East.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A typical full bathroom renovation takes 1–3 weeks, depending on the scope of work. A simple swap of suite and re-tile might take 5–7 days. If you're changing the layout (moving the toilet, bath, or shower), adding underfloor heating, or dealing with structural work, expect 2–4 weeks. Always add a buffer for unexpected delays — old plumbing, hidden damp, or unlevel floors can add time.

Can I renovate a bathroom on a budget?

Yes. Ways to keep costs down include: keeping the existing layout (avoids expensive plumbing changes), shopping in sales at B&Q, Wickes, or Screwfix, using mid-range rather than premium fittings, keeping existing tiles and painting over them, doing cosmetic work yourself (painting, grouting, fitting accessories) while leaving plumbing and electrics to professionals, and getting 3 quotes from tradespeople. A budget bathroom refresh can cost as little as £1,500–£2,500.

Do I need planning permission for a bathroom renovation?

Usually not — most bathroom renovations don't require planning permission as they're internal alterations. However, you need Building Regulations approval if you're adding a new bathroom or en-suite, changing the toilet's drainage connection, or altering the electrics (any electrical work in a bathroom must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations and should be done by a qualified electrician). If your property is listed, you may need listed building consent even for internal changes.

Cost of a New Bathroom UK 2026 — Renovation Prices & Budgeting | PocketWise

A new bathroom is one of the most popular home improvements — and one that can add real value to your property. Here’s what to budget for.

Average Costs at a Glance

Level	What’s included	Typical cost
Budget refresh	New suite, basic tiling, minimal changes to layout	£1,500–£3,000
Mid-range renovation	New suite, full tiling, updated plumbing, decent fixtures	£3,000–£6,000
Quality renovation	Good brand fittings, floor-to-ceiling tiles, new flooring, heated towel rail	£6,000–£10,000
High-end/luxury	Premium brands, bespoke fixtures, walk-in shower, underfloor heating	£10,000–£20,000+

Bathroom Suite Costs

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Premium
Toilet (close-coupled)	£80–£150	£150–£400	£400–£1,000+
Toilet (wall-hung)	£150–£300	£300–£600	£600–£1,500+
Basin + pedestal	£50–£120	£120–£300	£300–£800+
Basin + vanity unit	£100–£250	£250–£600	£600–£2,000+
Bath (standard acrylic)	£80–£200	£200–£500	£500–£2,000+
Freestanding bath	£200–£500	£500–£1,200	£1,200–£5,000+
Shower enclosure + tray	£150–£350	£350–£800	£800–£2,500+
Walk-in shower (wetroom)	£400–£800	£800–£2,000	£2,000–£5,000+
Shower mixer/valve	£50–£120	£120–£350	£350–£1,000+
Heated towel rail	£40–£100	£100–£300	£300–£800+
Bath/shower taps	£30–£80	£80–£250	£250–£700+

Labour Costs

Trade	Day rate	What they do
Plumber	£200–£350	Install suite, connect pipework, fit shower
Tiler	£200–£350	Wall and floor tiling
Electrician	£200–£350	Lighting, extractor fan, heated towel rail, underfloor heating
Plasterer	£200–£300	Skim walls, repair plasterboard
Carpenter/joiner	£200–£300	Boxing in pipes, fitting vanity units, door adjustments
General builder	£200–£350	Demolition, building work, layout changes
Decorator	£150–£250	Painting and finishing

Labour as a Proportion of Total Cost

Scope	Labour %	Materials %
Simple suite swap	~40%	~60%
Full renovation (same layout)	~50%	~50%
Full renovation (layout change)	~55–60%	~40–45%

Other Material Costs

Item	Typical cost
Wall tiles (per m²)	£15–£60 (budget £15–£25, mid £25–£40, premium £40–£60+)
Floor tiles (per m²)	£15–£50
Vinyl/LVT flooring (per m²)	£15–£40
Underfloor heating (electric mat)	£150–£400
Extractor fan	£30–£150
Bathroom mirror/cabinet	£30–£300
Lighting	£50–£300
Paint (bathroom-specific)	£15–£40 per tin
Silicone, grout, adhesive	£30–£80

Cost Breakdown — Example Mid-Range Bathroom

Item	Cost
Bathroom suite (toilet, basin + vanity, shower enclosure)	£900
Taps and shower mixer	£250
Wall tiles (floor to ceiling)	£350
Floor tiles	£150
Heated towel rail	£120
Extractor fan	£60
Lighting	£100
Mirror/cabinet	£80
Sundries (grout, silicone, adhesive, fixings)	£60
Materials total	£2,070
Plumber (3 days)	£750
Tiler (2 days)	£500
Electrician (1 day)	£250
Skip hire / waste disposal	£200
Labour total	£1,700
Grand total	~£3,770

Regional Price Variations

Region	Cost multiplier
London	1.2–1.5×
South East	1.1–1.3×
South West	1.0–1.1×
Midlands	1.0× (baseline)
North of England	0.9–1.0×
Scotland	0.9–1.0×
Wales	0.9–1.0×
Northern Ireland	0.85–0.95×

Timeline

Phase	Duration	What happens
Planning and design	1–4 weeks	Choose layout, fittings, tiles
Getting quotes	1–2 weeks	Get 3 quotes, choose tradespeople
Ordering materials	1–3 weeks	Order tiles, suite, and fittings (lead times vary)
Strip out	1 day	Remove old suite, tiles, flooring
First fix plumbing	1 day	Move/install pipework for new layout
Electrics	0.5–1 day	Wiring for lights, fan, underfloor heating
Plastering	1 day	Skim walls, plasterboard
Tiling	2–3 days	Wall and floor tiles
Second fix plumbing	1–2 days	Install suite, shower, taps
Finishing	1 day	Painting, silicone, accessories
Total	5–10 working days

Budget-Saving Tips

Tip	Potential saving
Keep the same layout (avoid moving plumbing)	£500–£2,000
Shop sales at B&Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Victorian Plumbing	20–40% on materials
Use large-format tiles (fewer grout lines, faster to fit)	Save on tiling labour
Paint above the tile line instead of tiling to ceiling	£200–£600
Fit accessories, mirrors, and towel rails yourself	£100–£200
Standard-size shower tray (not bespoke)	£200–£500
Re-use the bath if it’s in good condition	£200–£500