How much does it cost to do a cloakroom?

Your downstairs cloakroom should be hygienic and hospitable for friends and family alike. But how much does it cost to fit one? We find out…

When it comes to home improvement projects, and specifically bathrooms, one of the questions we frequently hear from customers is “how much does it cost to do a cloakroom?”.

To answer this question, we first need to consider the scope of the project. For example, if you’re simply refurbishing an existing cloakroom with like-for-like products, the cost will likely be relatively inexpensive, however, if you’re considering adding a cloakroom where there wasn’t one before, the cost will be considerable.

In this blog post, we’ll examine the various factors that determine the cost of a cloakroom, whether adding a cloakroom is the right choice, and consider whether you can do some of the work yourself.

If your understairs space is underused, why not turn it into a cloakroom?

Why install a cloakroom?

A cloakroom is simply another name for a toilet. This means it typically features none of the other features of a full bath, usually consisting of just a toilet and basin.

Most cloakrooms are located on the ground floor of a home or near the communal living space. This makes hosting and entertaining much more convenient, meaning a toilet is always close by. And, as the homeowner, you won’t need to worry about making your master bathroom accessible to guests. After all, you don't need them seeing exactly which brand of shampoo you use!

Cloakrooms are also incredibly useful for large families, where an additional toilet is always more than welcome. You may not need multiple showers or baths, but 2 or even 3 toilets can make a big difference in a home compared to just one. An additional bathroom could also increase the value of your home.

In fact, estate agents estimate that installing a cloakroom or downstairs toilet could add another 5% on to the value of your home. So, if you’re wondering whether a downstairs is right for you, consider the convenience it offers for family and guests, as well as the added value to potential buyers.

Cloakrooms can be wonderfully elegant, with traditional, timeless styling

What affects the price of fitting a cloakroom?

If you’ve decided that this is the right choice for you, how much does it cost to fit a cloakroom? Well, the answer depends on a few factors. For example:

Whether you’re simply refurbishing an existing cloakroom or adding an entirely new one.
The size of the bathroom. The larger it is, the more materials and time are required to do the job.
Existing space or addition to the home? If you are adding a new cloakroom, are you repurposing an existing space? This will obviously be cheaper than constructing an extension to your home.
How close the potential bathroom is to existing plumbing. The further away, the more expensive it can be (although, you could use Saniflo products, in this instance)

You can save space and cash by using a toilet and sink combination unit like this one from the MySpace furniture range

So, now that you know how prices can vary and be affected, let's talk numbers. Here's what installing a cloakroom will cost you.

The cost to do a cloakroom

Here is a basic overview of what you'll be paying for when it comes to materials for your new cloakroom.

Accessories (like a toilet roll holder, towel rail, etc.)
Basin (plus tap and waste)
Demolition and building tools (will vary based on project)
Electrical accessories
Flooring & wall coverings
Lighting
Mirror
Toilet
Plumbing accessories (e.g. shut off valves, soil pipe, water pipes, etc.)
Radiator or heated towel rail (plus valves)

A typical cloakroom, featuring basin and toilet suite, radiator, tiles and accessories

With all of these materials (and sometimes more!) required to install a cloakroom, you may be ready to spend a pretty penny. However, this can all be relatively affordable depending on the products you choose and who you hire to install them.

If you’re simply looking at the cost of materials, this will be around £600 to £900, based on average UK prices. Of course, if you want to add something a bit more designer or more complex than a conventional toilet and basin suite, this will increase the cost. According to our estimates, labour will be at least another £600+. Plus, you may need to dismantle the existing bathroom and remove waste, adding further cost to the whole project.

So, if you want to know how much it costs to do a cloakroom, the total price is roughly somewhere between £1,800 to £2,500. However, it is worth noting, this cost can vary greatly depending on your own unique circumstances. Why not read our article on bathroom installation costs, to see how bathroom fitters price up individual tasks.

A fresh, contemporary cloakroom can add real value to your home

Our tips for saving money on your cloakroom installation

If you're looking at top-of-the-range, designer products and thinking a cloakroom is just too expensive, here are our tips for keeping the price as low as possible. This way, the answer to how much does it cost to do a cloakroom can be that much cheaper!

Take on the tasks you can handle. Perhaps you can dismantle your old bathroom or install the flooring. Whatever you can do, you’ll easily reduce costs. Although, we would always recommend leaving anything to do with plumbing and electrics to the professionals.
Purchase affordable fixtures and keep it simple. All you need is a toilet, basin, tap, lighting and heating. Find the most basic fixtures and don't add anything extra. The Clarity collection from Victoria Plum is ideal for this purpose.
Place your cloakroom in an existing space and as close to plumbing as possible. Here are some ideas: part of a laundry room, under a staircase (check if it's tall enough to stand comfortably!), a large closet or partition off a hallway.

What a way to welcome your guests! This beautiful traditional style cloakroom will make a real impact

The final word…

A cloakroom is a great addition to any home. Not only does it make life easier for you and your family, plus the inevitable house guests, it’ll also boost the value of your home. As it’ll cost in the region of £1,800 to £2,500, it's an investment that we feel is certainly worthwhile.