Bathroom planning guide
Cost to Fit a New Bathroom UK
How much does it cost to fit a new bathroom in the UK? See typical labour charges for plumbers, tilers and electricians, plus what quotes should include.
Typical budget range
£4,000–£18,000+
Main cost drivers
Tiling, plumbing changes, suite quality
Best use
Planning before bathroom quotes
Bathroom example
The kind of clean mid-range bathroom finish many homeowners aim for before checking the real install cost.
Bathroom guide snapshot
Wet-area work makes bathroom budgets move quickly
Tanking, plumbing moves, tiling area and shower or bath decisions all matter more than the room size alone suggests.
Remember
Once wastes, waterproofing or full-height tiling are involved, the budget can climb much faster than a simple suite swap.
Good next step
Run the bathroom calculator once you know whether you are refreshing, refitting or converting to a wet room.
Trade Day Rates in the UK
Bathroom fitting typically involves three trades. Rates vary by region and experience:
| Trade | Daily Rate | Half-Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber / Bathroom Fitter | £200–£350 | £110–£190 |
| Tiler (walls & floors) | £180–£300 | £100–£165 |
| Electrician | £200–£350 | £110–£190 |
| Painter / Decorator | £170–£280 | £95–£155 |
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
Estimate your full bathroom renovation cost
Our calculator includes both materials and labour estimates based on your bathroom size and specification.
Open Bathroom Cost Calculator →