A bathroom fitter is a specialist tradesperson who project-manages the complete installation of a bathroom or wet room - coordinating plumbing, tiling, carpentry, electrical first fix and decorating to deliver a finished space. Unlike a plumber who focuses solely on pipework and sanitaryware connections, a bathroom fitter takes responsibility for the entire fit-out from stripping out the old bathroom to the final finish. For Building Regulations purposes, any new electrical circuits in a bathroom require either a Part P registered electrician or notification to Building Control; gas showers and gas water heaters require a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What they do
- Strip out and dispose of existing bathroom suite and fittings
- First-fix plumbing - soil pipes, waste runs, hot and cold feeds
- Board and waterproof walls and floor for tiling or wet room
- Install bath, shower, basin, WC and associated sanitaryware
- Tile walls and floors including cutting and grouting
- Fit vanity units, storage, mirrors and accessories
- First-fix electrical - extract fan, shaver socket, heated towel rail
- Install shower enclosures, glass screens and wet room drainage
- Coordinate with plumber, electrician or tiler where specialist subcontract is needed
- Carry out snagging and final sign-off
When you need one
A bathroom fitter is the right choice when you want a complete bathroom transformation managed by a single point of contact rather than coordinating multiple trades yourself.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom fit (standard, labour only) | £1,200 - £2,500 |
| Wet room installation (labour) | £1,500 - £3,500 |
| En-suite bathroom (labour) | £1,000 - £2,000 |
| Accessible bathroom (labour) | £1,500 - £3,500 |
| Supply and fit (budget suite) | £2,500 - £5,000 |
| Hourly rate | £35 - £65 / hr |
Costs vary by location and specification. London and South East rates are typically 20-30% higher. Always obtain at least two quotes and confirm whether the price includes supply of sanitaryware and tiles.
Qualifications to look for
The core plumbing qualification underpinning bathroom installation work. Level 3 is the fully competent tradesperson standard and is required for most plumbing work on hot and cold water systems.
Required for working on commercial and managed sites. Demonstrates minimum health and safety competence. A bathroom fitter working in domestic properties should still hold a current card.
If the fitter carries out any new electrical circuits - extract fans, shaver sockets or heated towel rails on new circuits - they must be Part P registered or use a registered subcontractor. Check at niceic.com or napit.co.uk.
Mandatory for any connection to gas appliances. Check the engineer's Gas Safe ID at gassaferegister.co.uk before any gas work is undertaken.
Membership of KBSA indicates commitment to professional standards and a code of conduct. KBSA members must carry appropriate insurance and are vetted before joining.
How to find a reputable bathroom fitter
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bathroom fitter and a plumber?
A bathroom fitter manages the whole project including tiling, carpentry and decorating as well as the plumbing. A plumber focuses only on pipework and sanitaryware connection. For a full bathroom transformation - from shell to finished space - a bathroom fitter or a coordinated team of trades is needed.
Do I need Building Regulations for a new bathroom?
Not for refitting an existing bathroom in the same location. You do need approval under Part P for any new electrical circuits and Part H if adding new drainage connections. A competent bathroom fitter who is Part P registered can self-certify electrical work, removing the need for a separate Building Control application.
How long does a bathroom fit take?
A standard bathroom replacement typically takes 5-8 working days. A full wet room or accessible bathroom takes 7-12 days. New build bathroom fit-outs can be faster as there is no strip-out, but coordinating with other trades on site adds time.