Free Call
0800 086 2952
FOLLOW US: 
logo

How Much Does A Disabled Wet Room Cost

Living with a disability or having limited mobility can turn life into a series of challenges to overcome. It sometimes seems as if the world around you has been designed to be as awkward as possible! This applies to bathroom design as much as anything else, which is frustrating as the one place where you would expect to feel comfortable is in your own home.

That's why so many people are installing a wet room to reclaim their independence and create a comfortable, accessible space. Wet rooms are ideal for this purpose, offering an open-plan shower area that gives you the freedom you deserve. They add more space to smaller bathrooms and they are a sensible choice if you're planning an additional bathroom.

If you are considering converting your traditional bathroom into a wet room, the most important factor will probably be the cost, which is what we're going to investigate here, along with some other aspects involved.

What Does A Disabled Wet Room Include?

Ideally, you want a space without the obstacles and restrictions you find in traditional bathrooms. You might need extra room to allow easy access for a wheelchair or mobility aid. Grab rails are common, giving you the option of extra support if or when you need it, and a non-slip floor surface is essential.

Most disabled wet rooms have a level floor without a shower tray, eliminating any trip hazards and allowing an even surface for wheelchairs.

Folding shower seats are often a feature, allowing the user to sit comfortably whilst showering if they wish to do so.

A safety glass shower screen or shower enclosure can be added, but many customers prefer a fully open-plan design to rule out any potential obstacles, particularly if space is limited.

Thermostatically controlled showers are also common, as these ensure a safe water temperature at all times.

But how much will all of this set you back? Let's look at wet room installations to discover the facts.

Disabled Wet Room Include

Wet Room Installation Costs

The average price of a good-quality wet room installation for disabled persons in the UK is between £5,000 and £10,000, depending on the design and specifications. It's widely accepted that a wet room costs about 20% more than a standard bathroom to install.

As you'd expect, the lower end of this scale is for a basic wet room, although this doesn't mean that it has to look purely functional and dull. When you use a specialist wet room installer, you get a practical space that looks smart, modern and stylish! However, if your budget stretches further, you can kit it out with various accessories and additional features to take it to another level.

Underfloor Heating (UFH)

To give your wet room a real feeling of luxury, why not consider underfloor heating? It's much more efficient than standard radiators and costs a lot less to run. It also avoids the issue of stepping on cold tiles and it keeps the room dry and free from excess moisture that might lead to problems with mould and mildew.

Currently, there are two basic types of UFH: electric (or dry) and water (or wet) and we'll look at each one separately to find out what they have to offer.

Underfloor Heating 1

Electric (Dry) UFH

This usually comes in the form of underfloor heating mats, which is handy as they are easier to install than wet UFH. They come in kits along with all the materials needed for installation, and most will include a thermostat and digital controller with wifi connection to give you complete control of your wet room heating system.

Each mat contains tough, durable, waterproof cables that are attached to an adhesive backing. The mats are laid on the substrate over which a waterproof flooring is added.

Depending on the size, brand and type of underfloor heating mats you choose, prices range from around £70 to £230, although if you shop around there are some bargains to be had - you might just get your electric UFH mats for £20 each!

Aside from being easy to fit, electric UFH mats are cheap to run, and they eliminate the need for radiators in the bathroom. This not only gives you more space but also reduces the number of obstacles in the room.

Please note that not all UFH mats are suitable for wet rooms. This isn't an issue if your wet room installation is being carried out by a professional company as they will be aware of this fact. Also, you'll need to ensure that you measure accurately and buy the right size - you should aim to cover 90% of the floor area of your wet room as UFH mats cannot be cut to size.

Water (Wet) UFH

This is a more complex system, made up of a series of pipes that are laid beneath the flooring. As the pipework is laid by hand and can be shaped to fit the space, every corner of the floor area can be covered, meaning that you can heat the entire room, unlike UFH mats.

However, wet UFH is the more expensive option, partly due to the labour costs. The average price of wet UFH for a new wet room is between £135 and £185 per square metre.

Still, once it's installed, it is much more efficient and cheaper to run than traditional bathroom radiators!

Although both types of UFH methods are still regarded as a luxury by some people, they have definitely become more affordable and are well worth considering. This type of heating adds value to your home, saves money on energy bills and heats the room efficiently.

Waterproof Lighting

When designing and installing a wet room, it's vital to get the lighting right. It's partly about practicality, as you need to have adequate light whilst using the room, but it's also about aesthetics. This is where you can have some fun! There are hundreds of different options to choose from that will make your wet room look fantastic and allow you to stamp your own style on it.

There's also another factor to consider: safety. Bathroom lighting has to conform to certain safety rules, and this is even more important in wet rooms as the water is more likely to spread further. When it comes to electrics in bathroom design, the room is divided into zones that simulate the areas most likely to be affected by water. These splash zones require different light fittings, and the more contact they have with water, the higher the waterproof lighting specification must be.

Each type of light fitting is given an IP number, meaning Ingress Protection, indicating the level of protection it provides against solids and liquids. Basically, the higher the number, the better the protection offered. Again, this isn't something to worry about if you choose a specialist wet room installer like the Bathroom Crew, as they'll understand it well. It's more of an issue if you decide to do the job yourself.

Coloured lights are a popular choice, making the room into a relaxing haven of peace and serenity. Of course, you can always keep it practical by using white LED lights, and these look smart and modern.

As for prices, these will vary depending on where they are to be situated, their IP rating and the type of fitting you choose. You could pay anything between £10 and £200 for each light fitting, so it's best to get some advice on this matter from wet room fitting experts like the Bathroom Crew.

Waterproof Tiles

When you have a wet room installed, you need to ensure that the walls and floor areas are completely waterproof. A tanking membrane will be applied to the floor, but any floor covering and tiles will have to be laid correctly and they must be waterproof to eliminate any risk of moisture or water getting through.

Tiles can make up a sizeable chunk of wet room costs, so it's wise to take your time and choose carefully.

There are several types of tile to pick from, including:

Ceramic

Porcelain

Natural Stone

Mosaic

Of these, porcelain is considered the most durable and offers a non-slip surface. Ceramic is generally better for walls, though it can be prepared with a non-slip surface for floor areas. Mosiac tiles are excellent for following the slope of the room towards the drain, and they make some excellent designs. Natural stone tiles may have to be coated with a sealant before use to make them non-porous.

The cost of tiling your wet shower room depends on which option you choose, and will be somewhere between £12 and £90 per square metre, with an average cost of £40 per square metre.

Waterproof Tiles

Wet Room Flooring

The entire floor must be waterproof no matter whether you use vinyl or tiles.

Most expert bathroom fitters and wet room installation specialists will recommend vinyl for disabled wet rooms, as it provides a soft, warm, durable surface that's easy to clean and maintain.

Vinyl flooring comes in rolls or luxury tiles, costing between £20 and £40 per square metre, depending on which option you choose.

Polished concrete is another possibility, but is a more expensive option at between £75 and £130 per square metre.

Financial Assistance

If you need a bit of help financially, there are several grant schemes available that will relieve the burden a little. Some of these let you pay lower VAT or even avoid it altogether, while the others will cover part of the installation costs, if not the entire project.

It's worth looking into these if you want to save money, although each one requires certain criteria to qualify. You can discover more about this in another of the Bathroom Crew's blogs all about grants for a disabled wet room, so be sure to check this out.

How Long Does Wet Room Installation Take?

Installing a wet room takes between one and two weeks, on average. The actual building work takes about four days, but large bathrooms can take a while longer. Remember, the contractors will have to completely remodel your old, standard bathroom in many cases, which requires a lot of work. There will be several different trades working within the room at various times and the work has to run smoothly and with as few interruptions as possible.

This can be inconvenient if you only have one bathroom, as you will need to ensure that you have a place to wash, bathe and use toilet facilities during the process.

Do I Need Planning Permission To Install A Wet Room?

No, you don't generally need planning permission when installing a wet room, provided it is replacing a current bathroom or is being installed within an established dwelling.

However, if you are having an extension built specifically for the wet room you will probably need planning permission for the extension itself. Also, any wet room installation within a brand-new building will need to be submitted for building regulations approval.

Wet Room Prices: In Summary

The final cost of your wet room will depend on the size of the room and how many additional features you have. Smaller rooms will obviously be cheaper as the labour costs and supply costs for materials will be less.

So, you can get a small basic wet room installed for between £5,000 and £6,000 that's perfectly functional and gives you the access you need.

Large bathrooms can be converted into generously-sized wet rooms, although the final price will be almost double, at around £10,000 or more.

Disabled Wet Room

Considering The Benefits

Investing in a wet room makes sense, especially for those with mobility issues or long-term disabilities. Aside from the freedom and accessibility it will offer, you should also consider how much value it will add to your home. Experts suggest that installing a wet room (especially as a second bathroom) can add up to 5% to the value of your house.

With this in mind, you'll be able to recover the cost of installing a wet room if you ever sell your home.

If you can secure financial assistance, all the better, but if not, then think about getting advice on how to keep costs down but still get the wet room you deserve. The Bathroom Crew can help you in terms of design, showing you how to make the most of your budget and avoid additional costs while still achieving your goals.

So, why not go ahead? Take the plunge and get a stunning new wet room to make your life easier.

Transform Your Bathroom Today 

Contact Us for Expert Bathroom Fitters!

Copyright © 2024 Bathroom Crew
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram