With updated estimated costs for 2024, we’ll show you how much you should reasonably expect to pay to have your new bathroom installed.
Choosing the right bathroom suite, along with your shower, taps, furniture and accessories is vital, especially if you’re working to a specific budget. However, you will also need to factor in other costs.
After surveying expert bathrooms fitters, we discovered how much you should be spending on some of the most common bathroom jobs. As well as bathroom installation costs, they also provided some handy tips on saving money. Read on for more nuggets of wisdom or click any of the links below to jump to a relevant section.
1. How much will a new bathroom cost in the UK in 2024?
Having surveyed expert BiKBBI (British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation)-certified bathroom fitters up and down the UK, at Victoria Plum, we consider the average cost of fitting a new bathroom to be around £7,200. With a standard bathroom suite, containing a toilet, basin and suite, costing as little £249*, plus taps, showers, tiles, flooring and heating, you’re looking at an overall budget of around £9,800 for a typical bathroom.
Of course, this average bathroom cost should only be used as a rough guide. As we’ll explain further, new bathroom fitting costs can vary greatly depending on your own unique circumstances (for example, if you want a luxury bathroom over a basic set-up, your budget will increase significantly). Next, we take a look at how much individual bathroom products cost to install, from simple tasks like replacing a basin tap, to the more complex projects, like fitting a wet room.
2. Typical bathroom installation costs
Whilst full bathroom renovation costs will help you determine your overall budget, it is often helpful to find how much you’d expect to pay for those individual tasks. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common tasks carried out by bathroom fitters, along with the average cost and typical job completion times. As with all bathroom renovation costs included in this article, these are merely estimates and can vary depending on your unique circumstances.
How much does it cost to install a pedestal basin with standard taps?
Part of a typical bathroom suite, fitting a new bathroom sink or basin is relatively straightforward for bathroom fitters. It can vary in difficulty, depending on the type of basin you choose. For example, a wall mounted vanity unit could be slightly more difficult than a simple pedestal basin. Fitting a new basin will also usually involve fitting new taps and a waste, plus plumbing in to your water supply and waste pipes. You’ll find the average costs below.
How much does it cost to install a standard toilet?
Much like with basin fitting costs, your new toilet price will depend on whether the toilet is a conventional design. The installation cost below is based on a close coupled toilet, the most common type. A back to wall toilet or even a wall hung design may take longer and cost more, with slightly more complex plumbing work required.
How much does it cost to install a standard bath and panels?
The product which gives the bathroom its name, a bath will need to be fitted securely, plumbed into the waste pipe and have taps and a waste fitted. Most conventional baths also need panels added for a neat finish. The average costs below are based on this type of job. The price may increase if you are fitting a freestanding bath or shower bath, or changing the layout of your old bathroom.
- Price: £370–£400
- Typical job time: 3–5 hours
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?
Tiling can be quite a time-consuming task and the overall cost depends massively on the surface area you wish to cover. For example, if you choose bathroom tiles for specific areas (e.g. exclusively around the shower area and bath), you make some significant savings. However, a fully tiled bathroom, including all 4 walls and flooring, will cost significantly more and take longer.
- Price: Around £100–120 per square metre
- Typical job time: 1–5 days depending on coverage required
How much does it cost to install underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating is fast becoming a popular choice in bathrooms, allowing you to individually control the temperature without the need for cumbersome radiators. This can help you save money on utility bills in the long run. If you’re thinking of fitting underfloor heating, check out the average costs below.
- Price: £260–£290 for an average bathroom
- Typical job time: 5 hours–2 days depending on coverage required
How much does it cost to install an extractor fan?
A well-ventilated family bathroom is vital, not least to prevent the growth of mould. When undertaking a complete bathroom refurbishment or starting from scratch, it is always important to consider fitting an extractor fan. A professional electrician will be required for any electrical work, so always factor this additional cost into your budget.
How much does it cost to install a shower enclosure and shower tray?
Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may prefer a shower enclosure over a bath. Indeed, many ensuite or small bathrooms only have space for shower enclosures. Installing shower enclosures involve handling glass screens, potentially fitting doors and ensuring, above all, they are secure and watertight. A shower tray will also usually be required, and this may need to be fitted with a riser kit, depending on your flooring. The average cost for this task is detailed below.
- Price: £510–£540
- Typical job time: 3–5 hours
How much does it cost to install a standard mixer shower?
A popular choice for many new bathroom renovations, mixer showers are an increasingly common sight in UK bathrooms. They do, however, require plenty of plumbing know-how. Depending on your bathroom layout, a like-for-like shower replacement could cost less than a brand new installation.
- Price: £330–£430
- Typical job time: Around 8 hours (new) or around 2 hours (like-for-like replacement)
How much does it cost to install an electric shower?
While standard showers require no electrical works, an electric shower—as the name suggests—does. Therefore, it will typically cost a bit more to complete. If you’re wondering who you’ll need to employ to carry out this work, read our article on which tradesperson is best for fitting an electric shower.
- Price: £500–£550
- Typical job time: Around 8 hours (new) or around 2 hours (like-for-like replacement)
How much does it cost to install a wet room kit (tray, tanking and 5 sq m replacement sub floor)?
Now, we’re getting to some of the more complex tasks… As a bathroom replacement, a wet room can certainly add value to your property. This will involve plenty of work to make your new bathroom watertight but the results are stunning. Wet room kits can add significantly to your overall bathroom costs.
- Price: £1,650–£1,900
- Typical job time: 3–5 days
How much does it cost to install a whirlpool bath?
What could be more luxurious than coming home to your very own spa bath? Whilst it is highly relaxing, it will cost more to install than a conventional bathtub, with electrical works required.
- Price: £500–£590
- Typical job time: 1 day
How much does it cost to install a bathroom cabinet?
From tall wall units to mirrored cabinets, fitting a bathroom cabinet is usually a straightforward task, involving no plumbing work. This is reflected in the average cost. However, should you choose to have a vanity unit fitted, this will involve plumbing, adding to the overall cost.
- Price: £70–£90 per cabinet
- Typical job time: 1–3 hours
How much does it cost to install a heated towel rail or radiator?
From a large bathroom, right down to the smallest downstairs toilet, you’ll need your space to be warm and welcoming. In many cases, a heated towel rail is much handier than a radiator, providing a place to warm your towels. Costs can vary depending on whether you can replace like-for-like or require an entirely new installation.
- Price: £330–£480
- Typical job time: 2–4 hours
How much does plastering a bathroom cost?
If you’re removing bathroom tiles from your current bathroom or simply wish to prepare your surfaces, plastering is an important part of a bathroom refurb. It adds strength to your walls and ensures they are nice, smooth and level. Before hiring any bathroom fitter, ensure they are able to plaster your walls or, at least, provide an experienced plasterer.
- Price: £70–£80 per square metre
- Typical job time: 6 hours–3 days depending on coverage required
How much does it cost to install a waterproof TV?
If you’re looking to create a luxury bathroom, installing a waterproof bathroom TV could be just the ticket. Imagine lying back in your bath and watching your favourite programmes? This will involve electrical works, so an electrician will be required.
- Price: £380–£410
- Typical job time: 2–4 hours
How much does it cost to install a ceiling light?
A typical part of any bathroom refurb, fitting a new light will mean hiring an electrician. A simple, single light fixture should present no problems to an experienced and qualified Trade professional.
- Price: £150–£190
- Typical job time: 1–3 hours
How much does it cost to install laminate or vinyl flooring in a bathroom?
If you’re thinking of fitting laminate or vinyl flooring instead of tiles, this shouldn’t be too expensive (with many bathroom flooring brands claiming it is so easy, you can do it yourself). Just remember to accurately measure the area of flooring you wish to cover, ensuring you don’t purchase too little (or too much!)
- Price: £40–£60 per square metre
- Typical job time: Depends on coverage
Bathroom installation task cost summary
Task | Typical price | Typical job time |
---|---|---|
The bathroom costs and job times stated above should only be used as a rough guide. They can vary for several reasons (see below).
3. Bathroom installation costs vary
While you can get a good evaluation of estimated costs when planning work on your bathroom, the end figure can vary. Our recommended installers quoted a range of £160 to £210 for small jobs like fitting a pedestal basin with taps, while larger tasks such as tiling a bathroom came in with an average fee of around £100–£120 per square metre.
Overall, the average cost of installing a new bathroom in the UK is £7,200. However, if you’re simply swapping a like-for-like suite, without additional tiling or flooring, you may be able to achieve this for considerably less.
The reason why costs vary is that each job will need to be priced in relation to its individual circumstances. The size and shape of your bathroom will affect how easy a job is to complete, how long it will take and how much materials will be used. If there are unseen complications, such as damaged piping, then this will raise the cost of the quote. Costs can also increase where existing fixtures need to be removed.
Even a small bathroom can look stylish with good installation and high quality products
Bathroom installation costs can vary by location
Another reason why bathroom installation costs can vary is due to the location or region in which you live. For example, in a large urban area, where there are many tradespeople competing against each other, you may be able to find a plumber who will complete your jobs at a slightly lower cost than those we’ve estimated. However, for those living in London, where weekly earnings are £152 higher than the UK average, you can typically add an extra 10%–20% to our estimated bathroom installation costs. You may also expect to pay a little more if you live in a remote location, like a village or an island.
In recent times, we’ve seen fuel prices increase due to the current situation in Ukraine. This may result in higher costs being charged by bathroom fitters, especially if they have to travel a long distance to reach you.
4. Bathroom installers near me
Hiring bathroom installers who live local to you is always important. After all, you wouldn't want a tradesperson travelling several hours to your home and feeling tired upon arrival. We’d recommend using local bathroom fitters who are accredited by the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBi).
Try posting a job on MyBuilder.com to find recommended Tradespeople. So, whether you live in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol or anywhere else in the UK, you can enjoy the services of a local bathroom installer.
5. How much do bathroom products cost?
Now, we’ve detailed bathroom fitting costs, it’s time to consider how much your new bathroom suite will cost. Depending on your needs, your bathroom products will, on average, add another £1,500 on top of your installation budget. However, these costs can vary, depending on whether you have a large bathroom or whether you are choosing more conventional items over luxury additions.
At Victoria Plum, we know how much you care about the cost of your bathroom, and the best way to keep those costs down is by buying quality bathroom products at a price that’s right. So, why not browse our luxury freestanding baths, stylish basins and contemporary toilets, all at easily affordable prices? Below, you’ll find some of the typical bathroom prices you can expect to pay on products at Victoria Plum.
How much is a bathroom suite?
For starters, we offer full bathroom suites (including a toilet, basin and bath) starting from as little as £335*, helping you to renovate your bathroom on a budget.
The stylish Eden bathroom suite is a popular choice for our customers
How much does bathroom furniture cost?
Bathroom furniture comes in all shapes, sizes, colours and finishes, with prices to suit just about any budget.
If you require additional storage space, vanity units start from around £130 and mirror cabinets are available from around £65. If you’d like to add a back to wall toilet unit, this can be bought for as little as £40.
How much does a shower cost?
Showers come in a wide range of designs, from simple riser rail kits to fully concealed digital shower systems. At the very basic level, a new shower head is inexpensive, costing less than £10 in some cases. Meanwhile, a dual outlet mixer shower can be purchased from as little as £105, and a basic electric shower will set you back somewhere between £150 to £200.
How much does a bath cost?
If you’re undergoing a bathroom refurb, it may be time to purchase a brand-new bath. Depending on the bath you choose and the size you need, you could be spending anywhere from £160 upwards. Conventional straight baths will cost around £160 to £300, while luxurious freestanding baths can start around the £350 mark. Want to add bubbles into the mix? A whirlpool bath can be yours from anywhere between £800 to £1,200.
Transform your old bathroom! An inexpensive acrylic bath, like this one from our Clarity collection, will set you back just £155
How much does a toilet cost?
Your average toilet price can start anywhere around the £105 mark, if you are looking to purchase a standard close coupled design. However, if you are searching for a designer model or a specific type of toilet, this cost can rise.
How much does a basin cost?
A regular pedestal basin can be purchased from as little as £45, with designer models costing a bit more. Countertop basins, which (as the name suggests) sit upon a countertop, are available from £23 upwards.
How much do bathroom taps cost?
You’ll find a huge variety of bathroom taps to choose from, including small, basin taps to large, freestanding bath taps. Basic basin taps cost in the range of £35 to £60, whereas special finishes or designer models will set you back significantly more. Bath taps are usually a little larger than their basin counterparts, meaning they will cost a little more. Basic bath taps and bath shower mixer taps can be picked up for between £50 and £100. One way in which you can save money is to buy your bathroom taps as a pack.
How much do bathroom tiles and new bathroom flooring cost?
Installing a new wall and floor covering in the form of tiles and flooring can add to the overall bathroom price. Tiles are normally priced per square metre and can be purchased from around the £16 per sq. m. mark. Similarly, laminate or vinyl flooring can prove an inexpensive option for your new bathroom, from around £22 per sq. m.
6. Tips for saving money on your new bathroom
As previously mentioned, bathroom installation and product costs can vary, meaning the overall cost of your bathroom renovation can, with a little wisdom, be brought down. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you reduce the cost of your new bathroom:
- Get multiple quotes for your bathroom installation—this may sound like hard work, but it’s worth doing. However, you shouldn’t always go for the cheapest. Make sure you check out reviews and previous work before hiring a professional.
- Keep your bathroom layout the same—if you can, avoid moving fixtures around, as this will require additional works, pushing total labour costs up.
- Do certain tasks yourself—things like fitting bath panels, furniture, tiling and flooring, not to mention painting, can be done yourself. Check out our how to guides for step-by-step instructions with videos.
- Consider ripping out your old bathroom yourself—however, you should only do this if you’re confident you want cause any damage to pipework, walls, etc.
- Reduce your tiling—Tiling your whole bathroom (including both walls and floors) can push costs up. Consider tiling just splash zones or to half height around your walls, and see how much you could save by using alternative wall and floor coverings, like shower wall panels and laminate flooring.
- Keep an eye out for bargains—check out sales, offers, bathroom deals and clearance items for big price discounts.
- Buy bundles instead of separate products—bathroom retailers often bundle products together (for example, bath and tap bundles as it is more-cost effective, and you can save money by purchasing these, rather than the separate items.
- Think about waste removal—could you do this yourself? See the section below…
7. What about waste and bathroom removal costs?
No job in the bathroom is mess-free and this throws up the question of waste disposal. Traders will dispose of materials for you (like your old bathroom suite) but they have to pay business rates to do so. This means that if you’re only generating a small amount of waste then it could prove costly.
The top tip here is to investigate whether you could dispose of any waste materials yourself for less money (e.g. by hiring a skip, using a waste bag or taking some of the waste to a local tip). If this is the case, then why not suggest it to your workers? It’ll certainly help you save a few precious pennies on your old bathroom removal cost.
8. Can someone design and install my whole bathroom?
The underlying message from our survey of bathroom installers is that quality is always the priority with any job. And, with the Victoria Plum Bathroom Design Service, we’ll set you on the right path.
Simply send us a few details (your bathroom measurements, some photos and a basic sketch) and we’ll provide you with an ultra-realistic bathroom design. What’s more, we’ll give you a full shopping list to pass on to your Tradesperson, so they know exactly what you need.
It may cost you a little more to get a professional finish but surely this is something worth paying for? After all, a bathroom which has been installed correctly and looks great is more likely to last than one which has a “cheap and cheerful” attitude.
Go on...give your new bathroom a treat. The Eden bathroom suite with straight bath from Orchard Bathrooms is available from as little as £429
*All product prices correct as of 21/12/2023. Prices may fluctuate.
9. Real life bathroom installation case studies
To help you understand how new bathroom costs can vary from project to project, we’ve picked out 3 recent real life case studies from our happy customers and, with their permission (of course!), we’ll show you how much each one cost.
Ryan’s average-sized bathroom
Ryan asked for his master bathroom to be refurbished in a contemporary style, with storage space and tiling around most of the walls and floors.
This bathroom cost £6,182.28 in total (significantly less than the average cost) and, using interest-free finance, could be paid off with 36 monthly payments of £171.73.
Hannah’s average-sized bathroom
Hannah wanted to transform her tired, run-down old bathroom into a clean, contemporary space with on-trend black accents and a multi-functional shower bath—perfect for shared, family use.
The total cost of this bathroom was much lower than the UK average, at £6,278.40. Using interest-free finance, this could be paid off with 36 monthly payments of £174.40.
Gabriela’s big bathroom
With a little more space to play with, Gabriela was seeking a real designer look for her bathroom remodelling. Colourful shower wall panels around the shower bath and additional storage brought some extra special finishing touches to the finished bathroom.
The total cost of this bathroom came in much closer to the UK average at £9,167.04. This could, potentially, be paid off using interest-free finance, with 36 monthly payments of £254.64.
For a more in-depth real-life case study, check out our complete guide to bathroom design and installation and find out what Victoria Plum customer Rosemary from York thought about the whole process.
10. More bathroom ideas and advice
At Victoria Plum, you'll find plenty of inspiration for your next bathroom renovation, including style guides, image galleries, customer bathrooms and more. Let us help you transform your old bathroom into something that'll make you feel proud.
If you need some help, we offer expert advice, including room planning guides, bathroom buying guides and DIY installation guides. Simply click on one of the links below to begin browsing:
Want to know how much a new kitchen costs?
Check out our guide to kitchen installation costs now.
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