COST GUIDES
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in 2026?
Updated 05/26
Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home. So, you’ll want to get it just right. Read on for average bathroom remodel costs in the UK.
Fast Facts
The UK average bathroom remodel costs around £4,500
A basic bathroom remodel can cost as little as £1,500
A high end, complex bathroom renovation that takes more than 10 days could cost as much as £14,000+
Bathroom renovations are often about more than simply replacing old fixtures. Many homeowners are trying to modernise dated bathrooms, improve awkward layouts, create more storage, or make smaller spaces work better day to day.
Of course, style matters too, but a good bathroom remodel should also make the room easier and more enjoyable to use.
In this guide, we look at the average bathroom remodel cost in the UK. Plus, we’ll share some choice tips to help you create the best possible bathroom for your home.
How much does bathroom renovation cost in 2026?
| Item | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | £1,500 | £7,500 | £4,500 |
| Bath installation | - | - | £850 |
| Standard shower installation | £350 | £600 | £500 |
| Walk-in shower installation | £200 | £2,000 | £1,100 |
| Last updated: May 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
The UK average bathroom remodel cost is around £4,500.
However, the cost of remodelling your bathroom can vary considerably, depending on the size and condition of your bathroom, and the quality of materials you choose.
As a guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,500 to £7,500 for a full bathroom remodel, including materials.
For more information and prices on installing a new bathroom, check out our new bathroom cost guide.
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Bathroom renovation costs by project
A few key decisions tend to have the biggest impact on the final renovation cost. The size and scope of the project can have a big impact on your overall price, as can the quality of the fittings and fixtures you choose.
Small bathroom remodel
A basic bathroom remodel can cost as little as £1,500.
This might cover costs such as:
Replacing dated fixtures and finishes
Tiling (select budget tiles and tile sparingly)
Painting and decorating
Basic fittings
Avoid changing the layout of your bathroom to keep costs down. This way, you won’t have to reroute the plumbing, which can add time and cost to the project.
Even small bathrooms can become surprisingly expensive if layouts change or hidden plumbing issues appear.
Full bathroom renovation
A mid-range bathroom renovation is likely to cost in the region of £4,500.
For this price, you may be able to rethink the layout of your bathroom and reroute plumbing. You could also consider…
Higher quality fittings
Higher-end tiles
More extensive tiling (eg. floor-to-ceiling)
Better lighting
Storage solutions
Luxury bathroom renovation
A high-end or luxury bathroom renovation will cost in excess of £7,500.
At this price point, you’ll be able to consider…
Premium materials
Bespoke design
Walk-in shower
Freestanding bath
Underfloor heating
High-end finishes
Bathroom renovation budgets can climb quickly once premium materials and bespoke features enter the picture.
A high end, complex bathroom renovation that takes more than 10 days could easily cost £14,000+.
So, always decide on a budget for your project before you start, to make sure you don’t end up spending more than you’re comfortable with.
Ensuite renovation
Prices for renovating an ensuite bathroom tend to be in line with other bathrooms in the home. The main difference is that these bathrooms tend to be on the smaller side. So, as an example, you often won’t have room for both a shower and a bath.
With that in mind, you can expect to pay on the lower end of the price scale – potentially between £1,500 and £4,500, depending on the scope and spec of the renovation.
Downstairs bathroom renovation
The cost of renovating a downstairs bathroom will depend on its size and the scope of the project.
If your downstairs bathroom is the main bathroom in the home, you’ll be looking at the typical remodel cost of between £1,500 and £7,500.
However, if you’re renovating a downstairs loo, costs can be lower. After all, in most cases, the only fixtures to replace will be a sink and toilet.
The average cost of a new toilet is £150
The average cost of a new sink is £150
Labour costs are between around £320–£480 per day
Looking to install a downstairs loo from scratch? Head over to our guide on the cost to install a downstairs toilet for a full breakdown.
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What affects bathroom renovation costs?
As we’ve touched upon already, there are lots of different factors that can affect the cost of renovating a bathroom. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind.
Bathroom size
The bigger your bathroom, the more space there’ll be to renovate. This difference can become particularly noticeable if you decide to tile the whole room. Bear in mind also that the more units you choose to install (eg. bath, shower, sink, toilet) the higher your costs will climb.
Fixture and fitting quality
The quality of your fixtures and fittings will also have a big bearing on your overall price. Higher quality items will cost more. However, they may also be better quality, which could save you on repair and replacement costs in the long run.
If you're exploring your options and you need some inspiration, check out these bathroom ideas:
Plumbing and pipework
If you decide to move your bathroom fixtures, this will push your remodel costs up. This is because rerouting pipework can add to your costs significantly.
Tiling and flooring
Your choice of flooring can have a big impact on your overall price. Some common bathroom floor materials include:
Tiles: Between £20–£400+ per m², plus around £300 per day for installation
Laminate: Between £20–£60 per m², plus around £270 per day for installation
Vinyl: Between £10–£40 per m², plus around £225 per day for installation
LVT: Between £15–£60 per m², plus around £300 per day for installation
Wood: Between £35–£80+ per m², plus around £250 per day for installation
Tiles are the most popular choice for both floors and walls. However, the cost of tiles can vary hugely depending on the material and quality of the tile.
Head over to our free tile flooring cost calculator to get an estimate for your bathroom flooring today.
Regional differences
Labour costs tend to vary up and down the UK. So, costs for a bathroom remodel can vary considerably depending on where you are in the country. As a general rule, cities will be more expensive than more rural areas. London and the South East tend to be particularly pricey.
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Additional bathroom renovation costs to budget for
Bathroom renovation quotes don’t always include every part of the finished project, so it’s worth keeping some extra budget aside for the things that often catch people out.
Pipe and plumbing upgrades
Moving your plumbed-in fixtures – like your toilet or sink – will incur additional costs. This is because you’ll need to reroute the pipework.
Structural repairs
If you uncover any structural issues when you’re renovating your bathroom, fixing them will cost extra. As an example, if your home is older, it may not be designed to support the weight of some modern fixtures and appliances.
Removing your old bathroom
Removing your existing bathroom suite can add time and cost to the project.
Depending on how much of your bathroom you’re replacing, you could be looking at between £600–£1,000 to remove your old bathroom.
You may also need to hire a skip. A builder 6 - 8 yard skip costs on average £320 per week.
Electrical work
Most plumbers won’t be qualified to carry out electrical work. So, if you need any electrical work carried out as part of your bathroom remodel, you’ll usually need to pay extra for an electrician.
For instance, this may apply if you need a new shaver point, you’re upgrading your lighting, or you’re installing a bathroom cabinet with integrated lighting.
The hourly rate for an electrician is between £45–£60.
Bathroom ventilation
Similarly, if you want to improve your bathroom’s ventilation, this will come at an additional cost.
The cost of installing a new extractor fan averages around £300
Replacing an existing extractor fan typically costs around £200
Permit and building regulations
If you’re simply upgrading your bathroom sanitaryware (eg. replacing your toilet or shower in the same location) then you likely won’t need building regs.
However, they are needed if you’re altering the layout of an existing bathroom (especially where new pipework, drainage, or electrics are involved) – or adding a new bathroom.
If you use a tradesperson registered with the Competent Person Scheme (CPS), they should be able to self-certify their work, saving you time and money. But if not, you’ll need to budget extra for obtaining building regs.
How much do building regs cost?
If you’re building, renovating, extending or converting a property, you’re going to come into contact with building regulations. Here, we’ll break down how much compliance will cost.
Custom or bespoke features
Finally, if you decide to invest in custom or bespoke features, this will understandably push up your prices – for instance, a custom bathroom vanity, concealed toilet cistern, or an inset bathtub. Similarly, you’ll need to pay extra for any decoration work such as plastering and painting.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
What should be included in a bathroom renovation quote?
A clear bathroom renovation quote should explain exactly what’s included — and what isn’t. Most quotes will usually cover:
Labour costs
Bathroom fixtures and fittings
Plumbing work
Basic electrical work
Removal of the old bathroom
Waste disposal
Installation of flooring or tiles (if agreed)
VAT, if applicable
It’s equally important to check what may be excluded.
Some bathroom renovation quotes don’t include:
Plastering or decorating
Structural repairs
Upgrades to old pipework
New lighting
Skip hire
Flooring preparation
Moving pipework or drainage
Specialist finishes or bespoke fittings
Always ask whether the quote covers the finished room 'ready to use', or just the core installation work. It’s much easier to budget properly when you understand the full scope upfront.
Tips for planning a bathroom renovation
Bathroom renovations often look straightforward on paper, but small layout decisions can make a big difference to how your room feels day to day. A few things homeowners are often glad they considered early on include:
Leaving enough space to move around comfortably
Planning practical storage to reduce clutter
Thinking carefully about lighting, especially around mirrors
Keeping plumbing in similar positions where possible to help control costs
Choosing finishes that balance style with easy cleaning and maintenance
If your bathroom is small, focus on layout first rather than trying to squeeze in too many features. A well-planned compact bathroom often feels better to use than a larger room with an awkward layout.
Try the job estimate calculator
Once you’ve got a rough idea of the type of renovation you’re planning, our calculator can help you build a ballpark budget before requesting quotes.
All you need to do is type in a few details about what you're planning for your new bathroom, and the tool will use our costing data to give you an estimated quote to help you budget.
Job Estimate Calculator
Cost of hiring bathroom remodelling contractors vs DIY
If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade on a budget, you may be considering tackling the project (or some of it) on a DIY basis.
The average rate for a plumber is around £40–£60 per hour.
Although small bathroom renovations could be completed in as little as two days, the average is between 5 and 10 days. So, labour costs can certainly add up – head over to our plumbing installation cost guide for specific breakdowns.
For larger renovations, many homeowners feel the cost of hiring experienced tradespeople is worthwhile. Here are some of the key benefits.
Save time and energy
Less disruption
Complete the job quicker
Get things done right the first time around
Save money by avoiding costly mistakes
Access trade discounts
CPS-registered plumbers can self-certify their own work
Guarantees and warranties
Quality, professional result
Find and book a tradesperson through us and we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000. T&Cs apply.
Bathroom renovation checklist
Ready to start your bathroom renovation? Tick off every step on this checklist to ensure you leave no stone unturned.
First steps
Bathroom remodel checklist: First steps
Bathroom design and planning
Bathroom remodel checklist: Bathroom design and planning
Hiring bathroom renovation contractors
Bathroom remodel checklist: Hiring bathroom renovation contractors
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
Find a trusted tradesperson for your bathroom remodel
As you can see, bathroom remodel costs can vary widely depending on what you’re hoping to achieve. The best way to get a bespoke price for your renovation is to collect quotes from reputable plumbers and bathroom renovation contractors near you.
Luckily, you’re in the right place. At Checkatrade, all our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and are regularly reviewed by homeowners on everything from punctuality to professionalism.
In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of the tradespeople on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000. T&Cs apply.
View bathroom renovation company profiles, read reviews, and contact them directly.
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FAQs
To install a standard shower unit, you can expect to pay around £500.
Meanwhile, if you’re going for a fully tiled, walk-in shower then you can expect the cost to be anywhere from £200 to £2,000. Find out more in our guide to the cost of walk-in shower installation.
The average cost to supply and install a new bathtub is around £850.
However, the exact price you pay for the bath installation will depend on the size, style and quality of the bathtub you choose. For more details on pricing, read our bathtub installation cost guide.
Here are some of our top tips for bathroom remodelling:
Don’t cram in too much – Allow space in your bathroom to stand, dry yourself and move around without knocking into units.
Include lots of storage – Clutter can quickly turn a beautiful new bathroom into an unsightly mess, so make sure you include storage to keep all your products hidden from sight.
Let in as much natural light as possible – Natural light is great for creating the illusion of more space and can add impact to a gorgeous bathroom, especially roof glazing to save wall space.
Embrace quality lighting – In addition to daylight, you’ll want to have excellent quality artificial lighting such as backlit mirrors (for anyone wanting to do their make-up in the bathroom) or other ambient lighting.
Yes, £10,000 is generally going to be enough to fund a bathroom remodel - the average cost is around half of that.
The best order for your bathroom remodelling tasks is as follows:
Plan and design
Order your products
Strip the bathroom and remove the old fixtures
Run any new plumbing and electricals
Start work on your walls and floors (including tiling and painting)
Install your new products and fixtures (including the bath, shower, sink, etc)
Finish the walls and floors
Add finishing touches
The most difficult part of a bathroom remodel really depends on the project, but some of the more challenging tasks include:
Managing the plumbing - especially if you're relocating major fixtures
Moving the bath - they're very heavy!
Designing a layout - bathrooms are often small rooms with bulky fixtures
Hiring a bathroom designer can be worth it if you're relocating plumbing, dealing with a large or awkward layout, or designing a luxury space and want to get it right.
For more straightforward bathroom renovations, however, getting a designer on board may be overkill.
If you have the time to spare and all the right skills, you certainly can do a DIY bathroom remodel.
Some tasks - such as plumbing, tiling, and installing fixtures - may require expert help, however.
It's possible! That said, there are a few skills you need in order to renovate a bathroom - such as basic plumbing and tiling. If you're confident handling those, you may be able to remodel your bathroom even as a beginner.
If not, you might be better off hiring a bathroom fitter.
On average, a bathroom renovation costs around £4,500 in the UK.
A budget bathroom remodel can cost as little as £1,500, while a luxury new bathroom can cost up to £7,500 on average.
A realistic bathroom remodel budget depends on the size of the room, the quality of the fixtures and fittings, and whether you’re changing the layout. As a rough guide, many standard bathroom renovations in the UK cost somewhere between £5,000–£10,000 once labour, plumbing, tiling and fixtures are included. Costs can rise significantly for luxury finishes, bespoke storage, underfloor heating or major plumbing alterations.
Labour and plumbing work are often among the most expensive parts of a bathroom remodel, especially if pipework needs moving or the layout is changing. High-end tiles, luxury fittings, bespoke cabinetry and structural repairs can also increase costs quickly. In older homes, hidden problems such as water damage or outdated plumbing can add unexpected expense too.
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