How to Price a Bathroom Renovation in the UK (2026 Guide)

How to Price a Bathroom Renovation in the UK

Pricing a bathroom renovation is one of the trickiest jobs for any builder or bathroom fitter. Get it wrong and you either lose money or lose the job to a cheaper quote. This guide breaks down exactly how to price a bathroom refit in 2026, with real cost ranges and a step-by-step approach.

Step 1: Carry Out a Proper Site Survey

Before you put pen to paper, you need to see the bathroom in person. Photos help, but nothing replaces checking the state of the walls, floor, and existing plumbing. Look for:

• Damp or water damage behind tiles or under the bath
• Plumbing access — is it boxed in, surface-mounted, or buried in walls?
• Electrical setup — extractor fan, heated towel rail, underfloor heating
• Structural issues — rotten joists under the floor, blown plaster
• Access constraints — narrow doorways, upstairs bathroom, limited parking

Document everything with photos. This protects you later if the customer queries additional charges.

Step 2: Break Down the Scope of Work

A standard bathroom renovation typically includes:

• Strip out of existing bathroom (sanitary ware, tiles, flooring)
• First fix plumbing (repositioning waste, hot/cold feeds)
• First fix electrics (fan, lighting, towel rail circuit)
• Floor preparation or replacement
• Waterproofing / tanking (especially for showers)
• Wall and floor tiling
• Second fix plumbing (fitting suite, taps, shower)
• Second fix electrics
• Decoration (painting ceiling, any exposed walls)
• Snagging and handover

Step 3: Calculate Labour Costs

Labour is usually the biggest cost. In 2026, typical day rates across the UK are:

• General builder/bathroom fitter: £200–£350/day
• Plumber: £250–£400/day
• Electrician: £250–£400/day
• Tiler: £200–£350/day
• Plasterer: £200–£300/day

A straightforward bathroom renovation (strip out, new suite, retile, decorate) takes roughly 5–8 working days for a competent team. Complex jobs with layout changes, underfloor heating, or bespoke tiling can stretch to 10–14 days.

Step 4: Price Materials Accurately

Material costs vary hugely depending on the customer's taste. Get supplier quotes or use trade accounts for accurate pricing. Typical material costs:

• Budget bathroom suite: £300–£600
• Mid-range suite: £600–£1,500
• Wall and floor tiles: £20–£80/m²
• Adhesive, grout, silicone, tanking: £100–£250
• Plumbing sundries: £80–£200
• Waste and skip hire: £200–£400

Step 5: Add Contingency and Margin

Always add a contingency of 10–15% for unforeseen work. Hidden problems like rotten floor joists or corroded pipework are common in bathrooms. Your profit margin should sit at 15–25% on top of costs.

A typical mid-range bathroom renovation in 2026 prices out at £5,000–£9,000 depending on location and specification. High-end wet rooms or large bathrooms can easily exceed £12,000–£18,000.

Step 6: Present a Professional Quote

A professional, itemised quote wins more work. Customers want to see exactly what they are paying for. Break it down by trade and include allowances for materials.

Tools like MyQS let you generate itemised, professionally branded quotes in minutes — just upload photos of the bathroom and the AI handles the pricing breakdown. It is particularly useful for getting consistent quotes out quickly without spending hours on spreadsheets.

Common Pricing Mistakes

• Not visiting the site — quoting from photos alone leads to surprises
• Forgetting waste removal — skip hire adds £200–£400
• Underestimating tiling time — large format tiles, niches, and pattern layouts take longer
• No contingency — bathrooms always have hidden issues
• Quoting too slowly — the first professional quote often wins the job

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for a basic bathroom renovation in the UK?

A basic bathroom renovation (strip out, new suite, retile walls and floor, decorate) typically costs £4,000–£7,000 in labour and materials for a standard-sized bathroom. Add 15–25% margin on top for your profit.

Should I include materials in my bathroom quote or let the customer supply them?

Most builders include a materials allowance in the quote. This gives you control over quality and timelines. If the customer wants to supply their own suite or tiles, make clear in writing that delays caused by late deliveries are not your responsibility.

How long does a typical bathroom renovation take?

A straightforward bathroom renovation takes 5–8 working days. Jobs involving layout changes, structural work, or bespoke tiling can take 10–14 days. Always add a couple of buffer days in your programme.

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