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Bathroom

Bathroom refurbishment estimate.

Bathroom refurbishments are among the most common home improvement projects—and among the hardest to price accurately. This guide covers everything from strip-out to final silicone.

Authored by Alexandr Vreme & Maksym Vasylkov
Published July 2026 — Next review July 2027

Who this guide is for

This guide is for tradespeople and estimators preparing bathroom refurbishment quotes. It applies to full strip-out and refit projects in houses and flats, covering both small en-suites and larger family bathrooms.

Information needed

Before pricing a bathroom, confirm with the client or spec:

• Existing layout and whether walls, the toilet or bath are being moved
• New layout drawings or a clear plan of where everything goes
• Sanitaryware specification (manufacturer, model, finish)
• Tiling extent — full-height, half-height, or feature wall only
• Floor finish (tile, LVT, stone, heated floor system)
• Extractor fan location and ducting route
• Window or roof-light replacement requirements

Typical work breakdown

• Strip and disposal — removing old suite, tiles, floor covering, and taking away waste
• Plumbing alterations — hot and cold pipework, waste runs, shower valve plumbing
• Electrics — shower supply, extractor fan, lighting scheme (including zones)
• Tanking wet areas — waterproofing shower enclosure and bath area
• Tiling walls and floor — substrate prep, tile fixing, grouting
• Sanitaryware fitting — bath, WC, basin, shower tray, taps and fittings
• Mirror, cabinet and accessories fitting
• Decoration — ceiling paint, pipe boxing paint, finishing touches
• Floor finish — laying and finishing the final floor covering

Commonly missed costs

• Upgrading existing waste pipes to modern 40 mm or 50 mm sizes
• Concealed cistern frame installation and access panel
• Making good on the opposite side of walls where pipework runs
• Waterproofing (tanking) behind tiles — required in shower zones
• Shower tray installation — level-access trays need careful subfloor prep
• Bath panel fitting, particularly with access hatches for maintenance
• Silicone and sealant — all sanitary seals, corner joints, bath-to-tile joints

Miniature worked example

A 5 m² en-suite bathroom with full-height tiling, new suite and electric shower:

• Strip and disposal — £400
• Plumbing alterations — £1,000
• Electrics — £600
• Tanking wet areas — £300
• Tiling walls and floor — £1,500
• Sanitaryware fitting — £800
• Total labour and sundries: £4,600 (excluding sanitaryware suite and tiles)

Questions to ask

• Is the client supplying the sanitaryware, or am I procuring it?
• Are there existing concealed services that may need upgrading?
• Does the floor structure need strengthening for a stone or heavy tile floor?
• Is the extractor fan ducting already in place, or does a new route need cutting?
• Who is responsible for making good ceilings or walls after any structural alterations?