Thinking about upgrading your old bathroom? Then you'll probably be looking for some advice and information about how much you might expect to pay!
Let's begin by saying that today in the UK bathroom renovation will cost somewhere between £4,000 and £9,000, with the average cost of a new bathroom sitting at around £5,000. Even so, you could get one for as little as a couple of thousand, or end up splashing out £15,000 on a new bathroom installation, or maybe even more - it all depends on your taste, your budget, the size of the room, and any other special considerations that we'll cover below in more detail.
Whatever your new bathroom ideas may be, the Bathroom Crew has all the information you need right here, along with the expertise to deliver the bathroom of your dreams.
We've broken the subject down into bite-sized segments to give an overview of typical bathroom installation costs in the UK.
This seems pretty obvious, but a small bathroom will generally cost less than a big one. So, when asking a contractor, how much for a new bathroom? the size of the room is clearly going to affect the final cost.
Depending on your budget and your intended design, you can keep the cost down through your choice of materials, like bathroom tiles and the type of flooring you choose. It's the little details like this that can push up the cost, so it's always worth considering them very carefully.
We'll look at these in more detail a little later, along with all the other items you should think about when planning your ideal new bathroom.
Some of our customers are happy with a simple, functional new bathroom that looks smart and traditional, while others desire something more modern and stylish. There are no rights or wrongs here - you can make it as opulent and lavish as you wish!
However, you need to be prepared to pay more for a luxury bathroom. Okay, you know this already, but what you might not know is how much you'd expect to pay.
Let's check out some of the items you might want to include in your bathroom renovation to give you an idea of the average cost.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that this is a simple choice. After all, it's just a toilet, right?
Actually, there's a lot of variety when it comes to the humble loo! If you want a bog-standard toilet, you can find them for around £100, but these will be low quality. So, how much does a decent-quality toilet cost? You'd expect to pay at least £130 and up to £400.
For a throne of exceptional quality, you're looking at £800 or more.
You also need to consider whether you want the cistern and plumbing to be visible or not; many modern bathrooms have these hidden behind panels with only the toilet bowl and flush button or handle on display. This gives a neater look to the bathroom although it can make repairs and maintenance more tricky.
If you need your bathroom fitter to hide all the pipework and the cistern, this will obviously add to the installation costs as it may require the addition of a false wall.
Although most Brits prefer showers over baths, with around 80% of us saying that we'd rather have a functioning shower than a bathtub, there's still a huge number of people out there who like to indulge in a nice long soak once in a while.
Also, we like the choice: if you have an electric shower installed at one end of the bathtub, you can still decide to bathe if you so desire. Setting the shower over the bathtub is also a space-saver, as you don't need an additional shower cabinet.
Baths, like toilets, can be basic and functional or opulent and luxurious. A basic model will come in at around £240 including installation costs, while for a more up-market model, you might end up splashing out something like £4,500!
If you have a large bathroom, you might choose to have a showpiece bathtub set away from the walls. It's a classic look that adds a real sense of sophistication and panache, and it doesn't have to break the bank.
But how much does a good-quality bath cost? Well, you can get traditional bathtubs for between £400 and £600, with four legs, a rolled edge and freestanding bath taps* on the side or the end. For something with a contemporary look like a copper, nickel or stone bath, you're looking at a figure between £1,300 and £4,000.
Classic fitted bathtubs (as opposed to freestanding ones) have an average cost between £150 and £500, but once we add typical bathroom installation costs that figure rises to between £450 and £800.
*If they're not included with the tub, bathroom taps cost something like £200 or £300, so always check what you're getting!
Of course, you can cut back on costs here by using a mixer shower head incorporated into the plumbing for your bath, especially if you have an attractive freestanding bath as mentioned above.
However, most people who love their morning showers do so because of the speed and efficiency that an electric power shower offers. So, how much does a new shower cost?
How much does a shower cost? If it's a simple case of replacing the electric shower you already have, you'll pay between £70 and £150 plus installation costs for a standard model. For power showers and digital showers, the costs rise to as much as £1,400 as they are more complex and require more time to install.
For separate showers set apart from the bathtub (or replacing the bath altogether, in the case of small bathrooms), you can expect to pay around £200.
However, if you want something special you can really go to town with a walk-in shower! The shower enclosure can be as big as you wish (within reason) and you can make it as lavish and sumptuous as you like. You can choose one with or without a shower tray, or even without an enclosure. Some people have mood lighting, Bluetooth sound systems or even a television installed. Others turn their showers into mini steam rooms, with wooden seating.
Remember though; the more elaborate the design and specifications, the higher the bathroom fitting costs. A basic walk-in shower will cost you about £400 but as you add more to your luxury bathroom the price rises to between £1,500 and £5,000.
Instead of a hand basin with a traditional pedestal stand, you could add serious style with a bathroom vanity unit. These usually have drawers, cupboards or storage space of some kind built in, and they come in a huge range of styles, from traditional to contemporary.
You could have a rustic bathroom cabinet in natural wood, or a glossy ultra-modern one in charcoal grey. Some are slimline while others have twin basins, and some even incorporate the toilet - the choice is yours!
These super additions to the bathroom are handy for storing towels, extra toilet paper and toiletries, leaving you free from clutter. And they look amazing, too.
The average price of a good-quality vanity unit is around £350, although you can get a basic unit for about £100. For a larger bathroom, you could invest in a unit with a double basin for between £400 and £1,500.
So far, we've looked at bath cost and toilet cost separately, but is there any difference in price if they're bought as a set? A bathroom suite usually comprises a basin, toilet and bath, although some also come with a vanity unit.
You can find a standard bathroom suite for as little as £250, and if you choose to swap your old bathroom furniture with these new items without the need for the additional costs of relocating the plumbing, then you could make a significant saving.
We often credit the Romans with inventing this system, but it was actually the ancient Koreans who did so around seven thousand years ago. It's taken us far too long to realise that this is a common-sense method, but we still tend to cling to our old ways.
The fact is that conventional heating methods, such as radiators, are fairly inefficient and wasteful; up to 40% of the heat can be lost to the wall behind the radiator!
Underfloor heating is more efficient as heat rises naturally, so these systems will use between 25% and 40% less energy, particularly when coupled with a heat pump. Although the initial costs can be high, you will save on energy bills in the long run.
Depending on the type of bathroom flooring you use and the size of your floor space, this will require an investment of somewhere between £25 and £100 per square metre.
Take it from the Bathroom Crew; this is one of the best improvements you can make when upgrading your old bathroom! It immediately introduces an atmosphere of warmth and opulence. And the reduced running costs will help to keep those energy bills down.
The type of floor you choose will affect the overall bathroom renovation cost, so it's wise to give this some careful thought.
The main issue to keep in mind is that, ideally, it should be waterproof to avoid water and moisture from penetrating the floor surface and spoiling it.
There are several different types of flooring to choose from, each one with its merits and drawbacks:
It's hard to beat a stunning stone floor when it's laid properly. Stone tiles simply look amazing!
They are very hard-wearing and there's a massive range of colours and finishes to choose from. One thing to watch out for and that's to check whether the stone has been treated with a waterproofing agent or sealant. Some types of stone are naturally porous, so they will need to be waterproofed before use. You can get around this by opting for slate, marble or limestone, but it shouldn't be a problem as it is standard practice to seal porous stone before use in this context.
The average installation cost for stone tiles is between £20 and £30 per square metre, giving a figure of around £1,500 to complete a medium-sized bathroom. Considering that this could last for around 100 years, that's not a bad investment!
Gone are the days of cheap lino that looks grubby and nasty within a few years! Modern vinyl flooring has really stepped up a gear and adds a sense of opulence to any bathroom. You can either have vinyl tiles or sheets cut to size.
Luxury vinyl tiles cost around £30 to £40 per square metre, while vinyl flooring on the roll is cheaper, at around £20 per square metre.
Whichever one you choose, you have a wealth of options when it comes to design. You can have a realistic wood or stone effect, as well as a whole variety of classic patterns to make your bathroom floor space look amazing.
What's more, vinyl offers some excellent benefits; it is waterproof; it's thin and easy to fit; it works very well with underfloor heating; it's warm, soft and inviting even when the heating is off; it is extremely hard-wearing and will last for up to 20 years.
This is a great choice for homes with young kids or elderly residents, as it provides a warm, safe, soft, non-slip surface (if you select a textured finish!).
For some, the name is off putting - rubber flooring doesn't sound very appealing! However, don't let this fool you; this stuff comes in a fantastic range of colours, patterns and textures.
It's also easy to clean and maintain, and it is very hard-wearing, providing a durable and hygienic surface that can be as bold or as traditional as you like.
Rubber flooring is available in tiles, but a single sheet from a roll is more hygienic as there are no gaps in which bacteria can gather. In relation to bathroom fitting costs, rubber flooring will set you back between £30 and £60 per square metre.
These are often grouped together, although they are different materials and are made using different techniques.
Porcelain tiles are often through-coloured and tend to be tougher and less porous, while ceramic tiles usually have the pattern and colour fired into the surface layer.
Both are excellent choices for a bathroom floor, and both work well with underfloor heating systems. Porcelain has the edge when it comes to keeping them clean, although ceramic tiles are also fairly easy to maintain but will need resealing once in a while.
Porcelain tiles also provide a better non-slip surface, although you should check the rating with your bathroom fitters if you have any concerns about this.
The overall cost of tiling will ultimately depend on whether you go for ceramic or porcelain. If you're conscious of your budget, then ceramic tiles would be your best choice.
We're not talking about standard wooden floorboards here, as they aren't suitable for bathrooms - especially if young children are about! All that splashing about during bathtime is great fun, but when water pools on wooden floors it can lead to severe damage through warping and rot.
Our best advice is to go for engineered wood. This brilliant material is made up of multiple layers of wood with a wear layer on the top and a base of wood or plywood. These are glued together at right angles to each other, providing strength and a thoroughly waterproof surface. Still, it's always best to wipe up any spills straight away and to lift bathmats when not in use.
In relation to bathroom installation, a good-quality engineered wood floor will come in at around £30 per square metre.
Although laminate floors are popular, the Bathroom Crew would never usually recommend these for any area where water is likely to be spilt on a regular basis, as it could lead to swelling and warping. However, there are a few selected brands that offer a 100% waterproof laminate flooring, but these cost about the same as engineered wood.
Polished concrete is great for your new bathroom as it is practical, low-maintenance and waterproof - as long as the grind and seal method is used. It can even be used as a base for showers!
Be warned, though - this is an expensive option at around £135 per metre squared.
These are a requirement for any bathroom without windows, although you can fit an extractor fan if there's an issue with excess steam and moisture that's causing mould to appear, whether there are windows in the room or not.
The fans themselves cost between £20 and £500, depending on the quality, and this includes fitting.
It's vital that you pick a fan that's powerful enough for the job, particularly in bathrooms without a window.
As the saying goes, growing old is compulsory, but growing up is optional!
Sadly, age eventually takes its toll on us all and some of us find that it's not as easy as it once was to negotiate our bathrooms, no matter how young at heart we are. Well, here's some excellent news if using your bathroom is becoming a struggle: you can fight back by installing a new bathroom that works with you to make things easier.
For example, how about a walk-in bath? They come in a very wide range of styles and sizes, and they are a lifesaver for countless senior citizens. Here are a few of the benefits:
The Bathroom Crew specialise in mobility bathroom installation and will adapt the space to your requirements.
Likewise, we have customers that face the daily challenges of living with a disability, and many have taken advantage of some of the innovative ideas to make their bathrooms more accessible.
The average cost of an assisted living bathroom is difficult to calculate as there are many different styles tailored for specific circumstances. Wet room kits, for example, can cost between £3,000 and £10,000 and this is only one aspect.
If this sounds like it will stretch your finances too much, don't despair! There are several grant schemes you can apply for, including the following:
Qualifying customers pay no VAT on their bathroom installation costs.
Qualifying customers only pay 5% rather than 20% VAT on their new bathroom cost.
Up to £1,000 towards bathroom installation costs for equipment and accessories for assisted living, such as a downstairs shower room.
Between £1,000 and £30,000 (in England) towards home improvements so you can continue to live there. These are all handy ways to save money on new bathroom costs and create a more accessible space that suits your needs.
The Bathroom Crew offers a first-class disabled bathroom installation service that will adapt the room to suit your specific needs.
Wet-style bathrooms are a perfect addition for anyone with accessibility or mobility issues, allowing you more freedom and comfort. As mentioned above, they have an average price of between £3,000 and £10,000, but they are well worth the investment if you need one.
They maximise the available space and remove many of the obstacles that would otherwise impede your access, either in a wheelchair or using a mobility aid.
The Bathroom Crew are proud to include wet room installation in our list of professional services, and you can discover more about this, along with our mobility and disabled bathroom options, on our other blogs.
One factor that's often overlooked is the stripping out of your old bathroom, but it has to be considered as part of the bathroom renovation process and therefore has to be added to the installation costs. The average bathroom removal cost comes in at somewhere between £500 and £2,500, which is why some people like to do this part themselves.
The Bathroom Crew recommends this only if you are relatively healthy and fairly proficient at DIY. Although most of the work is straightforward, some jobs need a bit of specialist knowledge and a great deal of care. Even so, we would always recommend that any electrical work (and extensive plumbing) is left to a qualified professional.
The responsible disposal of the bathroom suite, fixtures and fittings also accounts for part of the old bathroom removal cost, as contractors are charged at business rates for disposing of waste materials in recycling centres and refuse depots.
It may be worth exploring the idea of removing some of the parts yourself and either hiring a skip or taking them to your nearest tip. Of course, if any parts of your bathroom suite are in good condition and are reusable, you could sell them on and make a small profit.
Another factor that affects the cost of a new bathroom is the extent to which the interior will be altered. Basically, the more work involved, the bigger the costs will be - and a large portion of this will be labour costs.
People are often surprised at how long it can take to fit a bathroom, but if you are having a major remodel with pipework relocated or stud walls installed or removed, then you should expect the project to last for up to six weeks.
For a straight swap where you get a new bathroom suite to replace your old one and there's no other renovation work, the contractors should be able to complete the job within four or five days, including time to take out your old bathroom suite.
One of the most important aspects of having a new bathroom installed is selecting a reliable bathroom fitter as this can affect the cost significantly.
Always choose bathroom fitters that are fully insured, experienced, and who are au fait with current building regulations. They should consist of a team that covers all trades and aspects of bathroom installation; it's no good employing a plumber, as they will only handle the plumbing work!
Any quotes for a new bathroom should include the installation cost as well as the materials and accessories, so always check this.
When you find a good bathroom fitting company, it helps if you feel comfortable with them - after all, they'll be spending a lot of time in your home. Don't be tempted to find a list of local bathroom fitters and choose the cheapest. This is almost always a mistake and could cost you more in the long run as you'll face extra costs when it becomes clear that the work is substandard.
We've covered some of the main points here regarding new bathroom installation costs, so you now have some idea of what you need to budget for.
The overall cost will depend on the size and shape of your bathroom, as well as the specifications, such as the type of bathroom tiles or flooring you choose. As a rough guide, the average cost of a medium-sized bathroom would be about £6,500, but you can save money by choosing your bathroom furniture and fittings wisely!
The thing is, bathroom suites come in all shapes and sizes, and bathroom installations can vary greatly in cost depending on the fitters you use. Pulling all these figures together isn't easy, especially as bathroom prices are constantly changing and contractors often alter the installation cost due to rising overheads.
Even so, we've offered as clear a picture as we possibly can of what a new bathroom cost might be. Also, you can use this guide to work out precisely what you want to include in your design, as we've added some practical points to help you.
Finally, you need a bathroom fitter you can trust. So, when you need a new bathroom installed, you know it's time to call the Bathroom Crew.
