A complete bathroom renovation in the UK can cost anywhere from roughly £4,500 for a straightforward refit to £20,000 or more when the layout changes, surfaces expand or premium fittings are selected. The most useful budget is not one average number—it is an itemised range that reflects your room, specification, region and the work hidden behind the finishes.
Reviewed 2 September 2026. These figures are planning allowances, not quotations.
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Bathroom renovation costs at a glance
| Project level | Indicative UK planning range | What it normally means |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh | £2,000–£4,500 | Limited replacement, budget fittings and little or no layout change |
| Standard like-for-like refit | £5,500–£10,000 | New suite, straightforward fitting, modest tiling and existing service positions |
| Mid-range renovation | £10,000–£20,000 | Branded fittings, more wall tiling, some plumbing or electrical changes and stronger preparation allowances |
| Premium or complex project | £18,000–£30,000+ | Wet room construction, premium finishes, major layout changes or significant remedial work |
The ranges overlap because scope matters more than the label. A small bathroom with difficult access, full-height tiling and relocated drainage can cost more than a larger room where everything stays in place.
Current 2026 trade guides illustrate the same spread. MyBuilder places many standard renovations around £4,500–£9,000, while Checkatrade describes £5,500–£8,000 as a typical new-bathroom total and notes that plumbing moves, electrical work and extensive tiling push costs higher. RenoTally deliberately uses a broader planning range when more of those categories are included.
Original RenoTally comparison: specification and region
To make the effect of specification and location easier to see, RenoTally calculated six versions of the same 5m² bathroom. Every example uses a 10% contingency. The only differences are the selected scope and whether the project uses the rest-of-UK baseline or the London and South East labour adjustment.
| Bathroom scenario | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Budget: basic suite, targeted tiling and like-for-like services | £6,800–£13,400 | £7,850–£15,400 |
| Mid-range: branded suite, half-height walls and some service changes | £10,600–£20,750 | £12,150–£23,550 |
| Premium: bespoke fittings, full tiling, major relocation and wet-room construction | £24,150–£48,000 | £27,500–£54,250 |
What this shows: changing the specification and scope has a larger effect than floor area alone. The regional uplift matters, but major plumbing changes, wet-room construction, premium fittings and remedial work create the widest movement in the estimate.
What should a bathroom budget include?
A quote for “fitting a bathroom” may not include everything needed to finish the room. Before comparing prices, check whether each quote covers the same written scope.
| Cost category | Useful early allowance | Common variables |
|---|---|---|
| Suite and furniture | £1,000–£4,000+ | Bath or shower, WC, basin, vanity, taps, screens and storage |
| Fitting labour | £1,500–£4,800+ | Project duration, regional rates, access and coordination between trades |
| Plumbing and electrics | £800–£3,500+ | Relocated pipework, drainage, lighting, extractor fans and electrical upgrades |
| Tiling and surfaces | £800–£3,000+ | Coverage area, tile size, pattern, preparation and cutting time |
| Waterproofing and shower construction | £500–£2,500+ | Standard enclosure, walk-in shower, tanking or full wet-room construction |
| Preparation, finishing and disposal | £600–£2,100+ | Strip-out, damaged walls or floors, plastering, decorating and waste removal |
| Contingency | 10%–20% | Hidden leaks, damaged substrates, ageing pipework and specification changes |
These allowances are not designed to be added mechanically to produce a quotation. They show why two bathrooms of the same floor area can have very different totals.
Worked example: a 5m² family bathroom
Using RenoTally’s current default assumptions—a 5m² bathroom, mid-range branded suite and vanity, floor plus half-height wall tiling, some service changes, a standard bath or shower enclosure, a standard extractor and towel rail, a generally sound existing room and a UK-average location and 10% contingency—the calculator gives a planning range of approximately £10,600–£20,750.
The range is wider than a simple “average bathroom” headline because it keeps suite, surfaces, fitting labour, plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, heating, preparation, disposal and contingency visible. Reduce the scope to budget fittings and like-for-like service positions and the estimate falls; add a wet room, premium brassware or significant remedial work and it rises.
How RenoTally produced these figures
- Each comparison uses the same 2.5m × 2m room and a 10% contingency.
- Suite, surfaces, fitting labour, plumbing and electrics, waterproofing, comfort, preparation and disposal are calculated as separate categories.
- The London and South East option adds 25% only to labour and installation-heavy categories—not automatically to the suite or tile allowance.
- Scenario totals are rounded to practical planning figures rather than presented with false precision.
- The model was checked against the external 2026 cost guides cited below and reviewed on 2 September 2026.
This is RenoTally’s own planning comparison, not a survey of completed projects. We will only add real quotation examples when we have permission to use suitably anonymised, like-for-like data; we will not invent case studies.
How much does location change the cost?
Labour and installation-heavy work vary by region. RenoTally currently applies a 25% uplift to fitting labour, plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, heating and ventilation for London and the South East. It does not automatically increase the suite or tile allowance, because products can often be sourced nationally.
A postcode alone cannot predict a quote. Local demand, parking, congestion charges, stairs, restricted access and the ability to place a skip can matter as much as the broad region. Use the regional adjustment as a planning tool, then replace it with comparable local quotations.
Do bathroom renovation prices include VAT?
Never assume VAT is included. GOV.UK states that most work on houses and flats by builders and similar trades is charged at the standard 20% VAT rate, although limited exceptions can apply. Some small trades are not VAT registered, while product prices shown to consumers usually include VAT.
Ask every contractor to state clearly whether the quotation includes VAT. When comparing quotes, place the VAT-inclusive totals side by side. RenoTally figures are planning allowances, so confirm the tax treatment for your specific suppliers and project.
How much contingency should you allow?
- 10%: a sound, modern room with good access and a like-for-like layout.
- 15%: an older room, partial service changes or uncertainty behind existing finishes.
- 20%: suspected damp, a major layout change, wet-room construction or other complex work.
Contingency is not a target to spend. Keep it separate from the agreed scope and use it only for genuine unknowns or approved changes.
Seven questions to ask before accepting a quote
- Is VAT included in the total?
- Does the price include removing the old bathroom and disposing of waste?
- Who is responsible for supplying the suite, tiles and fittings?
- Are plumbing, electrics, ventilation and waterproofing itemised?
- What preparation is allowed for damaged walls, floors or hidden leaks?
- Which items are specifically excluded?
- What payment stages, timescale, insurance and guarantees apply?
Compare at least three itemised quotes against the same written scope. A cheaper headline can become the expensive option if essential preparation, waste, electrics or VAT appear later as additions.
Planning more than one project?
Bring estimates, VAT, trade quotes and actual spending into one editable plan.
Ways to control the cost without cutting the essentials
- Keep the main fixtures in their existing positions. Moving a WC, bath or shower can create drainage, flooring and making-good work.
- Choose where tiling adds value. Floor-to-ceiling coverage costs more in tiles and labour than targeted wet zones.
- Agree the specification before work starts. Late product and layout changes create delays and additional labour.
- Buy compatible products. Check dimensions, wastes, valves and concealed components before installation.
- Protect the contingency. Do not use the emergency allowance to upgrade finishes during the build.
Plan the materials as well as the renovation
Once the scope is clear, use RenoTally’s free tile calculator, flooring calculator and paint calculator to estimate quantities and wastage. Keep those material figures beside the main bathroom estimate so product upgrades do not disappear inside the overall total.
Retiling a smaller shower room rather than replacing the full suite? See our small ensuite retiling costs guide for measuring, preparation and waterproofing allowances.
Frequently asked questions
Is £5,000 enough for a new bathroom?
It can be enough for a small, straightforward refit using budget products and keeping the existing layout, particularly outside higher-cost regions. It leaves little room for extensive tiling, service relocation or hidden repairs.
What is usually the most expensive part?
Labour, plumbing and preparation often account for a substantial share, especially when the layout changes. Premium sanitaryware and extensive tiling can also become major categories.
How long does a full bathroom renovation take?
A straightforward full refit often takes around one to three weeks, but drying times, specialist surfaces, service alterations, product delays and remedial work can extend the programme. Ask for a written sequence, not only a completion date.
Turn several estimates into one renovation plan
RenoTally Pro combines project scenarios with a budget tracker, VAT allowance, quote comparison, timeline and hidden-cost checklist. It is £39 as a one-off purchase.
Related guides: Also planning a kitchen renovation or a loft conversion? See our Kitchen Renovation Cost UK guide and our Loft Conversion Cost Per m2 guide. Renovating the whole house? See our UK renovation and refurbishment cost guide. New flooring at the same time? Read How Much Flooring Do I Need?
Sources and limitations
External reference points include Checkatrade’s 2026 bathroom fitter cost guide and bathroom renovation guide, MyBuilder’s 2026 bathroom renovation cost guide, and GOV.UK guidance on VAT for builders. You can also read how RenoTally’s estimates are calculated.
Published cost guides use different definitions and inclusions. RenoTally does not provide quotations, tax advice, design, structural, planning or Building Regulations advice. Confirm project-specific costs and requirements with suitably qualified local professionals.