Prices in the construction industry are rising quickly, so the guide below is just a guide; only a quote can give you an accurate price.
| Budget Range & Low-complexity | Medium Range & Complex | High End & Very Complex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom (4-5 m2) | £7k + | £9k+ | £11k+ |
| Medium Bathroom (7-10 m2) | £9k+ | £11k+ | £13k+ |
| Large bathroom (10-14 m2) | £11k+ | £13k+ | £15k+ |
| Very large bathroom (15 m2+) | £13k+ | £15k+ | £17k+ |
Note: If you’re turning a room into a bathroom for the first time, allow an extra £2k–£3k, depending on complexity.
Why We Only Do Full Refurbishments
You’ll see above that the guide is only for full refurbishments. The reason for this is that partial refurbishments are risky, and most of the time, they don’t achieve the results customers expect. We tried them multiple times, and each time, we regretted taking on a partial project, as you simply can’t do a proper job when you try to keep old items. We prefer not to undertake the project at all.
What Affects the Price Most
Several factors influence the overall cost:
- Age of the existing bathroom (the older it is, the more extensive the work usually has to be)
- Type of construction (timber frame, concrete, etc.). Concrete walls and floors are the most difficult to work with, followed by honeycomb walls, which are used in some places like Bucksburn or Bridge of Don
- Layout changes (moving the toilet, fitting concealed showers, and lowering the drainage are the most difficult)
- Shape and size of the room (angled rooms are particularly hard to work with for plastering, tiling, and everything else. Sometimes, they can increase the tiling time by 2–3 times, for example)
- Flooring and wall finishes chosen (vinyl click flooring can take hours to fit. Tiles can take 1–2 days if the old floor is uneven and leveller has to be used first, followed by the tiles and then grout)
- Bathroom suite style (some things are simple to fit, while others are much more complex. Generally, anything custom, such as custom units or glass, takes a very long time to do, as everything has to be done on site with more basic tools than would be used in a factory)
- Extras such as recesses, shaver sockets, extractor fans, downlights, and feature lighting (a recess with a light and small tiles can take half a day, for example, whereas it is much easier when it is a simple recess with panels. An extractor fan drilled outside where there isn’t one can take as little as 2–3 hours, or more than a day. We once had to drill an extractor fan through granite, which took more than 10 hours of drilling)
If you want to keep the price as low as possible:
- Keep the same layout
- Use panels all around the room + UPVC ceiling
- Vinyl click flooring
- Pedestal sink or vanity unit
- Close-coupled toilet
- Towel radiator with pipes from the floor
- Bath or shower, the same as before
- Same type of shower, whether electric or thermostatic
- Single lights
- No wet trades at all, such as paint, plaster, or tiles
- Simple mirror
If you want the bathroom to be as reliable as possible, even if it costs more:
- Use large porcelain tiles all around with epoxy grout. Large tiles with epoxy grout are better than any sort of panel.
- Oversize your radiator, ideally with pipes from the wall. By having a warmer bathroom, you reduce the chance of moisture damage
- Use a pedestal basin or waterproof unit. We have a few options for completely waterproof units
- Use a large extractor fan with a timer. Ventilation is extremely important
- Have an exposed shower
- UPVC ceiling. We recommend matt white
- A single light. One light is easier to replace than multiple downlights
- If you have a bath, try to get a freestanding bathtub if you don’t have a shower above
- Use a walk-in shower with a fixed glass panel if possible, or a fixed glass panel with a flipper panel
- Recesses are better than trays on the wall, as they last better
- Use a close-coupled toilet