Standard family bathroom, mid-range finish
Suite swap, keeping layout
45–60% of the total
Standard fit; wet rooms 10–15 days
How much does bathroom fitting cost in 2026?
Prices below reflect typical 2026 UK figures for a complete bathroom fit — strip-out, new suite, tiling, plumbing and making good. Ranges are wide because size, spec and how much plumbing moves all swing the final number significantly.
| Job type | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic suite swap (keep layout) | £2,500–£4,000 | Cheap suite, minimal tiling, no plumbing moves |
| Small bathroom refit | £3,500–£5,500 | 3–4 m², mid-range suite, part-tiled |
| Standard family bathroom | £5,500–£8,500 | 4–6 m², full tiling, some layout tweaks |
| Large / premium bathroom | £9,000–£15,000 | Quality suite, full tiling, fitted furniture |
| En-suite (new or refit) | £3,500–£7,000 | Small but plumbing-heavy per m² |
| Wet room conversion | £6,000–£15,000+ | Tanking, gradient floor, drainage, screen |
| Bathroom tiling (labour only) | £25–£60 per m² | Plus £15–£150/m² for the tiles |
| Moving a fixture (toilet/shower) | £500–£2,000 each | Re-routing waste, first-fix plumbing |
What affects the cost
Two bathrooms of the same size can differ by thousands. The main drivers are:
- Size and tiled area — more square metres of tiling means more labour and materials, the biggest single cost in most jobs.
- Moving plumbing — relocating the toilet, bath or shower means cutting floors, re-routing waste and re-plastering, adding £500–£2,000 per fixture.
- Suite and brassware spec — a budget suite can be £600, a wall-hung toilet with concealed cistern, designer taps and a quality shower can be £2,500+.
- Wet room vs standard — tanking and a gradient floor add roughly £200–£500 per m² on top of a normal bathroom.
- Tile choice — large-format and natural stone tiles cost more to buy and add 25–50% to fitting time due to cutting and handling.
- Condition of the room — old pipework, rotten floors or non-square walls all add hidden hours.
Cost breakdown: labour vs materials
In 2026, labour is typically 45–60% of a bathroom budget, with materials making up the rest. A rough split for a £7,000 standard bathroom looks like:
- Labour (fitter, plumber, tiler): £3,000–£4,000. Plumbers charge £40–£80 per hour, or £280–£480 a day, and a full bathroom needs 2–4 days of plumbing alone.
- Suite (toilet, basin, bath/shower): £600–£2,500 depending on quality and brand.
- Tiles: £15–£150 per m² for the tiles, plus £25–£60 per m² to fit. A 15–20 m² tiled bathroom is £600–£1,800 in tiling labour alone.
- Extras: brassware, heated towel rail, lighting, extractor, flooring and making good — often £800–£2,000 combined.
Cheap vs mid vs premium
It helps to think in three tiers:
- Budget (£2,500–£4,500): high-street suite, keep the existing layout, half-height tiling or panels, standard white sanitaryware. Honest and functional.
- Mid-range (£5,500–£8,500): better suite, full floor-to-ceiling tiling, a quality thermostatic shower, heated towel rail and minor layout changes. This is where most UK families land.
- Premium (£9,000–£15,000+): designer suite, fitted furniture, large-format or stone tiles, underfloor heating, recessed lighting, or a full wet room with tanking and a frameless screen.
Spending more on labour quality is rarely wasted; over-spending on a fashionable suite that dates quickly often is.
En-suite vs full bathroom
An en-suite sounds like it should be cheaper because it's smaller — but it often costs more per square metre. The plumbing, ventilation and labour time don't scale down with the room, and you may need a longer waste run, a macerator or a new extractor. In 2026 a typical en-suite costs £3,500–£7,000, while a standard family bathroom of 4–6 m² is £5,500–£8,500. If you're adding an en-suite from scratch, factor in drainage routing and possibly a soil pipe connection, which can push costs toward the top of the range.
Common extras and hidden costs
Quotes vary partly because some items are easy to forget:
- Moving the toilet or shower — £500–£2,000 per fixture in extra plumbing and making good.
- Replacing rotten floorboards or joists — only discovered once the old floor is up.
- Re-plastering and re-painting after pipework changes.
- Upgrading the extractor fan to meet Building Regulations.
- Electrical work — new lighting, shaver sockets or an electric shower needs a qualified electrician.
- Waste removal and skip hire — strip-out generates a lot of rubble.
- Underfloor heating or a new boiler/pump if water pressure is poor.
How to save money without cutting corners
The biggest savings come from planning, not from buying the cheapest suite:
- Keep the layout — leaving the toilet, bath and basin where they are can save £1,500–£3,000.
- Buy your own sanitaryware from a sale or clearance, then pay the fitter for labour only.
- Tile selectively — full tiling is costly; a tiled wet zone plus painted or panelled walls elsewhere looks smart for less.
- Avoid large-format and natural stone if budget is tight — standard ceramic fits faster and cheaper.
- Book outside peak season (spring is busiest) for keener quotes.
- Get three written quotes and compare what each includes, not just the bottom line.
DIY vs hiring a pro
Some tasks suit a confident DIYer — painting, fitting an extractor, even tiling a feature wall. But the core of a bathroom is wet, hidden and regulated. Plumbing connections, waterproofing (tanking) and any electrical work should be left to qualified trades; a leak behind new tiles or a failed wet room can cost far more to put right than the saving. Notifiable electrical work and gas work legally require registered installers. If in doubt, DIY the cosmetics and pay a professional for the first-fix plumbing, tiling and electrics.
Regional price differences (2026)
Where you live affects the bill noticeably in 2026, mostly through labour rates. London and the South East command a premium; the North, Midlands, Scotland and Wales typically run below the national average.
| Region | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| London | £7,500–£14,000 |
| South East | £6,500–£11,000 |
| Midlands | £5,000–£8,500 |
| North of England | £4,500–£8,000 |
| Scotland & Wales | £4,500–£8,000 |
Cost estimator
Estimate a ballpark bathroom fitting cost by choosing your size, spec and how much plumbing moves.
This estimate is a budgeting tool, not a quote. Real prices vary — get local quotes for an accurate figure.
Get real quotesHow to save money
- Keep the existing layout to avoid £1,500–£3,000 in plumbing moves
- Buy your suite in a sale and pay your fitter for labour only
- Mix tiling with paint or panels to cut tiling costs without losing the look
- Choose standard ceramic over large-format or stone to save on fitting time
- Get three itemised written quotes and compare exactly what's included
- Book in a quieter month to get more competitive pricing
- Reuse a sound bath or shower tray if it's in good condition
- Confirm waste removal and making good are in the quote, not added later
How long it takes
- Basic suite swap: 3–5 working days
- Standard family bathroom: 7–10 working days
- Premium bathroom with fitted furniture: 10–14 working days
- Wet room conversion (tanking and gradient floor): 10–15 working days
- Allow extra time if rotten floors, old pipework or layout changes are uncovered
What's usually included
- Strip-out and removal of the old bathroom
- Installation of the new suite (toilet, basin, bath/shower)
- First and second-fix plumbing in the existing positions
- Wall and floor tiling labour
- Fitting taps, brassware and a heated towel rail
- Basic making good and clean-up
What's usually extra
- Moving the toilet, bath or shower to a new position
- The tiles, suite and brassware themselves (unless supply-and-fit)
- Electrical work — new lighting, sockets or an electric shower
- Replacing rotten floorboards, joists or hidden pipework
- Plastering, painting and decorating after the fit
- Skip hire and waste removal in some quotes
How to choose the right bathroom fitters
A bathroom touches plumbing, tiling, electrics and waterproofing, so the right team matters. Look for membership of a recognised body and check any gas or electrical work is done by registered trades.
- Ask to see recent bathroom jobs and photos, ideally similar to yours
- Check reviews on Checkatrade, MyBuilder or Which? Trusted Traders
- Confirm any electrical work is done by a Part P / NICEIC-registered electrician
- Confirm any gas work (e.g. relocating a boiler) is done by a Gas Safe engineer
- Get a detailed written quote itemising labour, materials and extras
- Ask who does the tiling and waterproofing — and whether it's guaranteed
- Check they have public liability insurance
- Agree a payment schedule tied to stages, never a large sum up front
Bathroom fitting cost FAQs
How much does a new bathroom cost in the UK in 2026?
A basic suite swap starts around £2,500, a standard family bathroom typically costs £5,500–£8,500, and premium bathrooms or wet rooms can exceed £15,000. Labour and tiling usually account for 45–60% of the total.
How long does it take to fit a bathroom?
A basic suite swap takes 3–5 working days, a standard family bathroom 7–10 days, and a wet room conversion 10–15 days. Layout changes and unexpected repairs can add time.
Why is bathroom labour so expensive?
Tiling and waterproofing are slow, skilled jobs, and a full bathroom needs a plumber for 2–4 days plus a tiler and often an electrician. That's why labour is typically 45–60% of the bill — more than a kitchen.
Is it cheaper to keep the same layout?
Yes. Leaving the toilet, bath and basin in their existing positions avoids re-routing waste pipes and re-plastering, saving roughly £1,500–£3,000. Moving each fixture adds £500–£2,000.
How much does a small bathroom cost?
A small bathroom refit typically costs £2,500–£5,500 in 2026, depending on the suite, how much tiling you choose and whether the layout stays the same.
Does an en-suite cost less than a full bathroom?
Not necessarily. En-suites are smaller but cost more per square metre because plumbing, ventilation and labour don't scale down. Expect £3,500–£7,000, and more if you're adding drainage from scratch.
How much does bathroom tiling cost?
Tiling labour is £25–£60 per m² in 2026, plus £15–£150 per m² for the tiles. A typical 15–20 m² tiled bathroom is £600–£1,800 in labour, with large-format or stone tiles adding 25–50%.
What's included in a bathroom fitting quote?
Usually strip-out, fitting the new suite, plumbing in existing positions, tiling labour, brassware and basic making good. Tiles, the suite itself, electrical work and moving fixtures are often extra — always check.
Should I supply my own suite and tiles?
It can save money if you buy in a sale, then pay the fitter for labour only. Just agree responsibility for faulty or wrong items in advance, and order everything before work starts to avoid delays.
Do I need a wet room or a standard bathroom?
A wet room offers a sleek, accessible, walk-in space but adds £200–£500 per m² for tanking and a gradient floor, pushing costs to £6,000–£15,000+. A standard bathroom with a shower enclosure is cheaper and suits most homes.