A new bathroom in the UK typically costs about £2,500 to £6,000 for a basic refit, £5,000 to £12,000 mid-range, and £12,000 or more for a luxury or wet room design. Many homeowners spend roughly £4,500 to £7,000 on an average family bathroom.
Prices vary with the size of the room, whether the layout changes and how much tiling and plumbing work is involved. London is higher.
Bathroom cost estimator
The estimator uses indicative prices from the sources below and does not replace a quote. It assumes a standard refit with a good installer, and does not cover structural work or unusual problems.
Bathroom cost by specification
These are typical ranges for a standard bathroom, supplied and fitted.
| Level | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £2,500 to £6,000 | A like-for-like swap with a budget suite, standard tiling and no layout changes. |
| Mid-range | £5,000 to £12,000 | Better fittings, a walk-in shower or new layout, quality tiling and good lighting. |
| Luxury | £12,000 to £30,000+ | Premium suite, wet room or large format tiling, underfloor heating and design input. |
Sources disagree because they cover different scopes and sizes. Some guides put an average refit near £4,500 and others near £7,000, and bespoke projects can run much higher.
Typical bathroom cost at a glance
Typical range by specification for a standard bathroom.
What pushes the cost up or down
- Room size: a small en-suite costs less than a large family bathroom.
- Layout changes: keeping the toilet, basin and bath where they are saves plumbing and drainage cost.
- Tiling: large format and natural stone tiles cost more to buy and to fit.
- Walk-in showers and wet rooms: these need waterproofing and a suitable floor.
- Location: labour is higher in London and the South East.
- Hidden problems: rotten floors, old pipework or damp can add to the bill once the room is stripped out.
Costs people forget
| Item | Typical allowance |
|---|---|
| Plumber, tiler and electrician | Often separate trades, so check who is included |
| Waterproofing or tanking | Essential for wet rooms and walk-in showers |
| Ventilation and lighting | A proper extractor fan helps prevent damp and mould |
| Decoration and flooring | Often not included in a bathroom quote |
| Strip-out and disposal | Skip hire and waste costs |
| Contingency | 10 to 15 percent |
Bathroom electrics must follow the zone rules and Part P. See our bathroom fitter, plumber and tiler pages.
Before you commit
Choose the layout and the fittings before you ask for quotes, and check whether the supplier is pricing the suite and the fitting or the fitting only.
Ask for the tiling and waterproofing to be itemised.
Rules and registered tradespeople
A bathroom refit does not normally need planning permission. New electrical work in a bathroom must meet Part P and the special zone rules, and any gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Adding a bathroom or moving soil pipes can need building regulations approval, and listed buildings have extra rules. Good ventilation and waterproofing are as important as the fittings.
Cutting the cost without cutting corners
- Keep the layout so the toilet, basin and bath stay where the pipes already are.
- Choose standard tile sizes and spend on the shower and the fittings you use every day.
- Get at least three itemised quotes and ask what is included in each.
- Buy sanitaryware in sales, but only after your fitter confirms the sizes.
- Check tile quantities with our ceramic tile calculator.
Sources and further reading
- Checkatrade: bathroom cost guide Typical ranges by specification
- MyBuilder: bathroom fitting cost Cost guide from a trades platform
- Bathroom Mountain: new bathroom cost Supplier price guide
- Federation of Master Builders Hiring builders and pricing
External links open in a new tab. Costs combine several published price guides, which differ. Last checked November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new bathroom cost in the UK?
Typically about 2,500 to 6,000 pounds for a basic refit, 5,000 to 12,000 pounds mid-range and 12,000 pounds or more for luxury, supplied and fitted.
How much does it cost to fit a bathroom?
Labour is often a large part of the total. Plumbing, tiling and electrics are separate trades, so ask whether one firm covers everything.
How long does it take to fit a bathroom?
A standard bathroom often takes about one to two weeks on site, depending on the work and drying times. Wet rooms take longer.
Do I need building regulations approval for a new bathroom?
A like-for-like refit usually does not, but new electrics must comply with Part P, and moving drainage or adding a bathroom may need approval. Check with your council.
Is a wet room more expensive than a bathroom?
Usually, because of the waterproofing and floor work, though a walk-in shower in a standard bathroom can cost less than a full wet room.