How to Price a Bathroom Installation: Labour & Materials UK
Quick Answer: A typical UK full bathroom installation prices at £5,500-£12,000 for a mid-range fit-out (3-piece suite, tiled floor and walls, electric shower) and £10,000-£22,000 for a high-spec installation (designer suite, full tile, thermostatic shower, underfloor heating, vanity). Labour is 40-50% of the total; sanitaryware 20-25%; tiling and finishes 20-30%; first-fix plumbing and electrics 10-15%. Allow 10-15 working days for a full strip-out and refit.
Summary
Bathroom installation is the highest-frequency multi-trade domestic refurbishment job in the UK. It combines first-fix plumbing, second-fix sanitaryware, tiling, electrics (Part P certified), waterproofing (tanking), and ventilation. Pricing requires understanding the trade-sequence (each trade depends on the previous), the materials supply (customer-supplied or contractor-supplied), and the gotchas: shower pumps, soil pipe rerouting, building waste from old suites, and water-proofing failures.
The most common pricing mistake is treating bathroom installation as "sanitaryware + tiles + labour" without provisioning for the structural work (joist or floor strengthening, soil pipe rerouting, electrical consumer unit upgrade if needed) and the time-consuming detail work (waterproofing membrane installation, mosaic tiling, silicone bead). A "£5,000 bathroom" frequently becomes a £8,500 invoice once the discovery is complete; pricing the discovery properly avoids the dispute.
This guide covers full bathroom installations across the standard scenarios — mid-range refit, premium fit-out, en-suite, wet room, and shower-only conversion. For en-suites specifically see en suite pricing guide; for wet rooms see wet room pricing guide.
Key Facts
- Suite (basic 3-piece: WC + basin + bath) — £350-£900 supplied
- Suite (mid-range) — £900-£1,800 supplied
- Suite (premium designer) — £1,800-£5,000+ supplied
- Toilet (basic close-coupled) — £100-£250 supplied
- Toilet (premium back-to-wall or wall-hung) — £350-£900 supplied
- Basin + tap (basic) — £80-£200 supplied
- Basin + tap (mid) — £200-£450 supplied
- Bath (basic acrylic) — £180-£400 supplied
- Bath (premium freestanding) — £600-£2,000+ supplied
- Shower screen / enclosure — £150-£800 supplied
- Electric shower (instant) — £150-£400 supplied
- Thermostatic shower mixer + head — £200-£900 supplied
- Designer/rain shower system — £450-£2,000+ supplied
- Tiles (basic ceramic) — £20-£40/m² supplied
- Tiles (porcelain mid-range) — £35-£70/m² supplied
- Tiles (premium porcelain or natural stone) — £70-£200+/m² supplied
- Tile adhesive + grout — £8-£15/m²
- Tanking / waterproofing membrane (e.g. BAL Tank-it, Mapei) — £15-£30/m²
- Vanity unit — £200-£900 supplied
- Towel radiator — £80-£250 supplied
- Underfloor heating (electric mat) — £25-£40/m² supplied
- Underfloor heating (wet UFH for larger bathrooms) — £85-£150/m² installed
- Extractor fan (Building Regs Part F) — £40-£200 supplied; £80-£180 to fit
- Plumber day rate — £240-£360 regional, £300-£440 London
- Tiler day rate — £200-£280 regional, £260-£360 London
- Electrician day rate — £280-£380 regional, £350-£480 London
- Labourer / apprentice — £160-£260/day
- Building Regulations — Part G (sanitation, hot water safety), Part F (ventilation), Part P (electrical), Part E (sound, multi-occupancy), Part L1B (energy)
- Building Notice or Competent Person Scheme — Gas Safe (boiler), Part P (electrical), WaterSafe (plumbing) covering
- Asbestos check — pre-2000 properties may have artex or vinyl backing containing asbestos; specialist removal required
- VAT — 20% standard; reduced 5% for empty properties >2 years; 0% for new builds
Quick Reference Table
Spending too long on quotes? squote turns a 2-minute voice recording into a professional quote.
Try squote free →| Bathroom Type | Size | Spec | Cost Range (Regional) | Cost Range (London) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact 3-piece refit | 4-5m² | Basic | £4,500-£7,500 | £6,000-£9,500 |
| Standard 3-piece refit | 5-7m² | Mid-range | £6,500-£11,000 | £8,000-£13,500 |
| Mid-spec full refit | 6-8m² | Mid + tile + UFH | £8,500-£14,000 | £10,500-£17,500 |
| Premium 4-piece (bath + shower) | 7-10m² | Premium | £12,000-£20,000 | £15,000-£26,000 |
| En-suite (compact) | 3-5m² | Mid | £5,500-£9,000 | £7,000-£11,500 |
| Wet room | 5-8m² | Tanked, drained, tiled | £7,500-£14,000 | £9,500-£17,500 |
| Shower room (no bath) | 4-6m² | Mid | £4,500-£8,000 | £6,000-£10,000 |
| Premium designer | 8-12m² | High-end with vanity | £15,000-£30,000+ | £20,000-£40,000+ |
Detailed Guidance
The Trade Sequence
A full bathroom installation follows a strict sequence — each trade depends on the previous. Skipping or compressing stages causes rework.
Day 1-2: Strip and discovery
- Disconnect water, electrics, gas (if combi flue route affected)
- Remove old sanitaryware, tiles, floor, ceiling, wall finishes
- Inspect joists, walls, sub-floor for damage
- Identify any soil pipe relocation needs
- Skip dispatched
Day 3-5: First-fix plumbing
- Reroute supply pipes (15mm cold, 22mm hot if direct hot water)
- Reroute waste pipes — 110mm soil for WC, 40mm for basin/bath/shower
- Connect to existing soil stack or new dedicated waste route
- Install Magnaclean filter if newly fitted system
- Confirm location and height of taps, toilet, shower head
Day 5-6: First-fix electrics
- Run new circuits per Part P (consumer unit upgrade may be needed if circuits limited)
- Allocate dedicated circuits for: electric shower (typically 9-10mm² cable, 40A MCB), towel radiator if electric (separate circuit), extractor fan (over 2.25 m from shower per Zone 1/2 rules)
- Install zone-rated lighting (typically IP44 or IP65 in shower area)
- Connect extractor fan, isolator switches outside zones
Day 6-7: Carpentry and substrate
- Replace any rotten floorboards, joists, wall stud
- Install tile backer board (Hardiebacker, Marmox) on shower walls
- Apply tanking membrane on full shower area + 100mm onto adjacent walls
- Replace ceiling boards if damaged or to update spec
Day 7-10: Tiling
- Floor tile first (set out from centreline; use levelling clips for porcelain >300mm)
- Wall tiles bottom-up with spacers
- Cut tiles for waste pipes, basin mountings, shower outlets
- Allow 24 hours cure before grouting
- Grout, clean, polish
Day 10-12: Second-fix and commissioning
- Hang and connect basin, tap
- Install toilet, connect waste
- Install bath, connect waste and overflow
- Connect shower system to first-fix supply
- Connect electric shower if applicable
- Install towel radiator
- Apply silicone bead to all sanitaryware-tile joints (gun grade, white or matching)
- Decoration of any non-tiled areas
- Snag and customer handover
Total: 10-15 working days for a typical 3-piece refit. 15-20 days for premium 4-piece with custom vanity. Customer is without bathroom use for the duration; ground floor cloakroom or temporary facilities helpful.
Trade-Specific Pricing
Plumber (5-7 days typical):
- First fix: 2-3 days
- Second fix: 2-3 days
- Tile cuts and connections: 0.5-1 day
- Day rate £240-£360 regional × 5-7 days = £1,200-£2,500
Tiler (3-5 days typical):
- Wall and floor measurement and set-out: 0.5 day
- Floor tile + cure: 1-1.5 days
- Wall tile: 2-3 days
- Grouting and final clean: 0.5-1 day
- Day rate £200-£280 × 3-5 days = £600-£1,400
Electrician (1-2 days typical):
- First fix: 0.5-1 day
- Second fix and test: 0.5-1 day
- Day rate £280-£380 × 1-2 days = £280-£760
Carpenter (1-2 days, optional):
- Floor repair, backer board, ceiling work
- Day rate £200-£280 × 1-2 days = £200-£560
Decorator (0.5-1 day, optional):
- Mist coat and emulsion on non-tiled walls and ceiling
- Day rate £180-£250 × 0.5-1 day = £90-£250
Where Builders Lose Money
- Soil pipe rerouting — discovered mid-job; £400-£1,200 in additional pipe and labour
- Joist strengthening — for cast iron baths or freestanding tubs (60-150kg empty), often discovered when old floor lifted
- Asbestos in artex — pre-2000 textured ceilings; specialist removal £400-£900
- Electrical upgrade — consumer unit at capacity; new CU £450-£900
- Waste pipe falls — original pipe runs uphill, requiring rerouting; common in older properties
- Disposal of old cast iron bath — heavy, specialist skip share or scrap
- Tile waste underestimate — porcelain 15% waste typical; mosaic and pattern tiles 20-25%
- Vanity unit fitting — non-standard waste positions or supply pipe positions; allow 4 hours per unit
- Silicone failure — wrong sealant type or poor application means rework; allow 1-2 hr per shower
Pricing Walkthrough — Mid-Range 6m² Bathroom Refit, Regional
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Mid-range 3-piece suite (Roca / Burlington / Heritage) | £950 |
| Thermostatic shower mixer + head + screen | £450 |
| Porcelain tiles (10m² walls + 6m² floor = 16m² × £55) | £880 |
| Tile adhesive + grout | £140 |
| Tanking membrane (4m² shower area) | £80 |
| Tile backer board (4 boards) | £160 |
| Electric UFH mat (5m²) | £180 |
| Extractor fan (Building Regs Part F) | £85 |
| Towel radiator (chrome) | £150 |
| Vanity unit | £350 |
| Plumber 6 days | £1,800 |
| Tiler 4 days | £960 |
| Electrician 1.5 days | £510 |
| Carpenter 1 day (backer board, repairs) | £240 |
| Decorator 0.5 day | £120 |
| Skip hire + disposal | £400 |
| Sundries (silicone, fixings, mortar, sealant) | £160 |
| Building Notice + inspection | £200 |
| Margin 20% | £1,752 |
| Total | £9,615 |
Wet Room and En-Suite Variants
Wet room (no enclosure; whole room tanked and drained):
- Add tanking membrane to whole floor and walls — £25-£45/m²
- Add linear drain or gully — £180-£400 supplied
- Specialist drainage installation — 1 extra day
- Wet-room kits available (e.g. Wetroom Innovations) — £500-£1,500
- See wet room pricing guide
En-suite (typically 3-5m²):
- Same trade sequence, compressed schedule
- Less variety of fittings (no bath usually)
- Compact suite + corner shower
- Shorter tile runs
- Typically 7-10 days
- See en suite pricing guide
Choosing Sanitaryware
The market splits into three tiers:
Budget (£300-£900 suite) — Cooke & Lewis, Wickes Mode, Plumb Centre own-brand. Adequate, basic finish, 5-10 year service life. Suits rental property, modest refit.
Mid-range (£900-£2,000) — Roca, Vitra, Ideal Standard, Lecico, Burlington. Best value for money; 15-25 year service life; better aftercare and replacement availability.
Premium (£2,000+) — Heritage, Burlington, Catalano, Duravit, Hansgrohe. Designer features (rim-less toilet, soft-close, wall-hung, freestanding bath). 20-30+ year service life; high replacement availability via specialist suppliers.
Customer-supplied vs contractor-supplied: customer-supplied saves the customer mark-up but exposes the contractor to wrong items, late deliveries, and warranty disputes. Contractor-supplied (with 20-30% mark-up over trade) lets the contractor manage quality and timing. Most reputable bathroom installers prefer contractor-supplied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a bathroom installation take?
A standard 3-piece refit takes 10-15 working days. Wet rooms and premium installs 15-20 days. En-suites 7-10 days. Customer should plan accommodation or alternative facilities for the duration.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a bathroom?
For like-for-like replacement: no. For changes to drainage (e.g. relocating WC), structural changes, new electrical circuits, ventilation, or any work in a new room — yes. Most bathroom installs require a Building Notice (£200-£400 fee + inspections) or competent person self-certification by trades involved.
Can I supply my own bathroom suite?
Yes, but most installers prefer to supply for two reasons: (1) responsibility for delivery, condition, and matching components; (2) supplier returns and warranty management. If supplying yourself, ensure delivery is timed to align with first-fix completion, and inspect all items before signing for delivery.
Should I install electric or wet underfloor heating?
For small bathrooms (<6m²): electric mat is cheaper, simpler, and quick to install (£25-£40/m² supplied, 0.5 day install). For larger bathrooms or where wet UFH is being installed in adjacent rooms: wet UFH is more efficient long-term (£85-£150/m² installed) and pairs with heat pumps.
What's the cheapest bathroom refit possible?
A like-for-like 3-piece refit using budget suite, basic tiles, and standard electric shower can be done for £4,000-£5,500 in regional England. Below this typically means cutting corners on labour or sanitaryware that will need replacement within 5-10 years. The customer's first question is rarely about the bottom-tier price; help them understand the value of mid-range.
How can I save money on a bathroom installation?
- Like-for-like (don't move fixtures): saves £500-£1,500 on plumbing
- Lower-cost sanitaryware: saves £500-£2,000
- Smaller tile area (paint above mid-wall): saves £400-£900
- Skip the vanity unit: saves £350-£900
- Standard finishes (chrome vs gold/black): saves £100-£300
- Reuse existing electric shower if working: saves £200-£500
Will the work damage anything else in my house?
Skip hire usually goes on the road; dust enters adjacent rooms during demolition; minor wall damage at the door frame typical. Most installers protect floors with dust sheets and lay protective hardboard down stairs. Damage beyond this is rare but possible — itemise protection measures in the quote.
Regulations & Standards
Building Regulations 2010 — Part G (Sanitation, hot water safety), Part F (Ventilation — extractor fan mandatory), Part P (Electrical safety), Part E (Sound), Part L1B (energy efficiency)
BS 6700:2006 — Specification for design, installation, testing and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — Electrical installations (Part 701 — special locations: bath/shower rooms)
BS EN 12056 — Gravity drainage systems inside buildings
BS 8000-11 — Workmanship on construction sites: wall and floor tiling
WaterSafe — Water Industry Approved scheme for plumbers
Gas Safe Register — for any gas work
NICEIC / NAPIT — Electrical competent person schemes
Part P self-certification — for electrical works
HSE INDG224 — Asbestos: a guide for non-licensed contractors
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — IET wiring regulations
TTA — The Tile Association — UK tiling trade body
WaterSafe — find an approved plumber
en suite pricing guide — en-suite specifics
wet room pricing guide — wet room specifics
shower installation pricing guide — shower-only installations
cylinder replacement pricing guide — hot water cylinder
underfloor heating wet pricing guide — wet UFH
bathroom floor tile layout — tiling design
mould treatment and prevention — mould prevention in bathrooms