August 31st, 2021

How Much Does It Cost To Refit A Bathroom?

To refit a bathroom sounds like an expensive and long process. You need to pay for materials, as well as your labourer’s time. At Boro Bathrooms, we want to assure our customers that a bathroom renovation isn’t as terrifying as they’re made out to be and break down some of the costs.

Checkatrade says that the cost of a bathroom refit is between £5000 and £8000, with the average being around £7000. Below, we’ve put together a little breakdown explaining exactly where your money will be going.

What affects the price I pay to refit a bathroom?

With bathroom refits, there are a set of fairly standard prices that you will pay for things like the sink, toilet and shower refits, as well as tiling, etc. There are some factors that you may not consider when allocating your budget for a bathroom refit.

Some of these include any electrical work, such as a power shower or dual fuel heated towel rail, plumbing work, your choice of bathroom suite and the size of your project. In some cases, specialists may have to be called in, if the installation is looking complex.

Other factors to consider include:

  • Quality of the materials and fixtures
  • Labour and installation costs
  • Plumbing and pipework changes
  • Tiling and flooring
  • Unexpected repairs and structural work
  • Location and accessibility
  • Project timeline and urgency

A lot of these extra costs can be mitigated by opting for a smaller installation. Pre-plan your bathroom layout with help from the Boro Bathrooms team to make sure that your existing pipes and waste disposals are factored into the design.

A builder refitting a bathroom shower

How long will it take and how does that affect my bill?

The standard Boro Bathrooms bathroom installation takes between 7 and 8 days. Work usually starts with disposing of the old bathroom, which ranges from £600 to £1000 if flooring and tiles need to be removed. You can mitigate the cost of any additional plumbing work by keeping the exact plumbing layout as your previous bathroom, making the pipes quick and easy to install.

If you need any extra electrical work, the standard cost of an electrician is £45 an hour. Requiring new bathroom lights or an extractor fan will add to the cost of the job, as well as the time the job will take.

The size of your bathroom will also contribute to the cost and time frame that it will take to complete. Although having a bigger bathroom will cost more money in materials, the job won’t take as long if more people can fit in your bathroom to carry out the work. Conversely, a smaller bathroom will cost less to refit, but the process will be longer because the entire team can’t fit on site. It could be worth considering time as a factor in your refit, as labour costs for workers can often cost more than the work itself

Example of a typical bathroom refit timeline

The process needed to refit a bathroom will typically follow this standard timeline:

Remove the old bathroom: The process will begin by stripping out the existing bathroom of its features and fixtures. Floor and wall tiles will be removed if they are being replaced.

Plumbing adjustments: If the new bathroom layout needs to be changed then the pipework may also need to be adjusted to fit the new design. Upgrades can also be made to outdated or inefficient plumbing systems at this stage. Relocating a toilet, sink, or bath will involve more complex plumbing work, adding time and cost.

Electrical work: If new lighting, extractor fans, or underfloor heating is being installed, an electrician will begin wiring and fitting the necessary connections. You may also choose to install additional power outlets if needed, like shaver socket.

Wall preparation: Your walls may need to be re-plastered to create a smooth, even surface for painting or tiling. This stage may take extra time if large areas require repair due to damage.

Tiling and flooring: This can be a time consuming process, especially if you opt for intricate tile patterns or mosaics. Both grout and adhesive need time to dry properly also before you can move on to the next stage. Alternative flooring, such as vinyl or waterproof laminate, may be installed more quickly.

Install fixtures and fittings: Now is the time to place your sink, toilet, bath, or shower enclosure in their desired areas. Any additional fittings, such as towel rails, radiators, and mirrors will be mounted at this point too.

Final touches: The bathroom will be thoroughly cleaned, removing dust and debris from the installation process. Any silicone sealing around sinks, baths, and shower enclosures will be applied before a final inspection to ensure everything is piped up and working properly before handing over your finished bathroom.

How much should you budget for bathroom refits?

We’re all aware that there are lots of components to the bathroom that require installing a refit. The price you pay quite often depends on the tradesman installing your work. At Boro Bathrooms, we always try to give our customers the fairest price we can.

Most installations take between two and five hours. As you would expect, the components that are the smallest and easiest to install, like a sink, cost the least and take the least amount of time. It’s worth noting that taps are often not constructed into the price of a sink and bath installation and need buying separately. 

Then, of course, you need to consider tiling. At Boro Bathrooms, we have an impressive array of tiles at a variety of price points. More complex patterns and designs will take more time to fit, and they tend to be a more expensive tile as a whole.

Average bathroom fixture prices in 2025

How much it costs to refit a bathroom will depend largely on the installation costs – as most other variables can come and go. For example, the choice of shower you use is completely up to you and you may decide to opt for a cheaper model. However, installing the shower will usually cost the same no matter which shower you choose – unless you have a particularly fancy or high-end one with lots of additional functionality.

The figures below are approximate averages and costs will vary slightly depending on your choice of installer, bathroom materials and your specific requirements.

Bathroom feature installationAverage cost
Toilet£220
Sink£175
Bath£325
Shower£500
Shower enclosure£575
Towel rail£300
Radiator£225

Cost saving tips to reduce your bathroom refit cost

  • Repurpose and reuse existing fixtures: Instead of replacing everything, consider refurbishing existing fixtures where possible.
  • Keep the same layout: Changing the location of the toilet, sink, or shower requires extensive plumbing work, which can be costly. If you keep your existing pipework in place you will reduce both labour costs and materials.
  • Choose budget friendly materials: Opt for ceramic or porcelain tiles instead of marble or stone to achieve a similar look at a lower cost.
  • Consider alternative tiling options: Tiling can be one of the biggest expenses, so consider reducing the amount of tiling in your bathroom. Check out our Half Tiled Bathroom Ideas for some inspiration.

Find out how much to refit a bathroom with Boro Bathrooms

Hopefully this guide has given you a rough insight into how much a bathroom refit should cost and where that money goes. For a quote on your specific project, get in touch with the Boro Bathrooms team today! We’re more than happy to talk you through our design & install service, just give us a call on 01706 525 926. 

We can arrange a home visit to see exactly what’s going on and give you the most accurate and cost-effective quote possible. If you’d prefer to talk to us in person please visit one of our showrooms in Bury or Rochdale. Whatever you need just let us know!

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