Cost to Fit a New Bathroom UK

Trade Day Rates in the UK

Bathroom fitting typically involves three trades. Rates vary by region and experience:

London rates are typically 20–40% higher. Scotland and the North tend to be 5–15% lower than the national average.

How Many Days for Each Task

A typical bathroom fitting involves:

• Strip-out of old bathroom — 0.5–1 day (plumber or specialist)
• Plumbing first fix (pipes in walls) — 0.5–1 day (plumber)
• Electrics first fix (cables, isolators) — 0.5 day (electrician)
• Tiling (walls) — 1–2 days depending on size and pattern (tiler)
• Tiling (floors) — 0.5–1 day (tiler)
• Plumbing second fix (suite installation) — 0.5–1 day (plumber)
• Electrics second fix (lights, shaver sockets) — 0.5 day (electrician)
• Decorating and finishing — 0.5–1 day (painter or plumber)

For a standard family bathroom (6–10 m²), expect fitting to take around 5–8 working days when trades are coordinated efficiently.

All-in-One Bathroom Fitter vs Individual Trades

Many homeowners hire a single bathroom fitter who handles everything. This has pros and cons:

• Single fitter — easier to coordinate, one point of contact, may be cheaper for simple jobs
• Individual specialists — tilers typically produce better quality work on complex tiling; electricians are essential for Part P compliance

For a full renovation with tiling, we recommend separate specialists. For a simple suite replacement with minimal tiling, a single capable plumber/bathroom fitter is usually sufficient.

What a Good Fitting Quote Should Include

Always get quotes in writing. A proper bathroom fitting quote should include:

• Removal and disposal of existing bathroom suite and tiles
• All first-fix and second-fix plumbing
• All soil and waste pipe connections
• Waterproofing / tanking if required
• Plastering or tile backer board installation
• Full tiling of walls and floors (grout and silicone)
• All sanitaryware installation (toilet, basin, bath/shower, taps)
• Electrics ( extractor fan, lighting, shaver socket)
• Testing and commissioning of all systems
• Cleaning of workspace and removal of all rubbish

Getting the Right Quotes

• Always get at least three quotes — not just on price, but on detail and professionalism
• Ask for itemised quotes so you can compare like-for-like
• Check that traders are qualified for Part P electrical work (or use a registered electrician)
• Verify they have public liability insurance
• Ask for references from previous bathroom installations
• Be wary of quotes significantly below market rate — quality and reliability often suffer