How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
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Guide written on 6 February 2024 by:
Sebastian, self-taught DIY-er, Exeter
Important features
- Pricing factors
- Renovation constraints
- Renovation projects
How to budget for a bathroom renovation
The price of a bathroom renovation depends on five key factors which altogether can increase costs by up to five times compared to base estimates.
Size: bathtubs, shower cabins, vanity units... a large bathroom costs more to furnish and you'll also have more wall, floor and ceiling space to cover.
Extent of the renovation: are you just replacing old sanitary ware and furniture with newer versions or are you going for a full remodel? Are you hoping to replace your floor or wall tiles, or even install a new mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) system?
Alterations: replacing a bathtub or shower may involve carrying out some work to a floor or wall, moving a toilet may require you to refinish a wall and an uneven wall may need to be re-plastered.
Products: from low-end to high-quality products, you'll find wide a range of prices on the market so your choice goes way beyond picking a design you like.
Labour costs: are you planning to do the work yourself or are you going to call on the help of a professional electrician or plumber?
Vanity units
Bathroom renovation constraints
Bathroom renovation projects can be limited by several factors which are important to identify before work begins. To ensure your renovation matches up with your plans, consider the five following points:
Bathroom shape and size
Window location
Water supply and drainage
Door clearance
Electrics
1. Bathroom shape and size
We can't always renovate exactly how we want, especially in old buildings where rooms aren't necessarily square, the walls may not be plumb and there may be features such as wall recesses to work around. These types of constraints and imperfections may involve carrying out additional work and straightening out walls or angles could reduce the amount of usable space and the type of sanitary ware and furniture you can install in the bathroom.
Start by checking if your bathroom is square and your walls are plumb, and draw up a floor plan to scale.
2. Window location
The position of a window can limit you in that you need to leave enough clearance to open the window which can reduce the amount of usable space you have along a wall. If you are replacing a window, opt for a tilt and turn window to optimise space. Bear in mind that, useful as they are, a bathroom window won't replace a mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) system or an extractor fan.
Bathrooms contain a lot of moisture and must be well-ventilated throughout the year – a window alone won't suffice.
3. Water supply and drainage
The location of your drain pipe is very important and will usually dictate where your shower will be installed. It should be noted that you need a minimum pipe fall of 10 mm fall every 4 metres. The diameter of the PVC drain pipe should be about 2 inches for a shower. If you have a bathtub, the pipe should normally measure 1 1/2 inches.
Ideally, you should go for a 2-inch PVC drain pipe with 1 in 40 pipe fall (or a 2.5% gradient).
4. Door clearance
The clearance required to install a hinged door will reduce the amount of usable space in a bathroom. To get around the issue and avoid losing space, you can install a sliding door. Depending on your requirements, you can choose between a surface-mounted sliding door and a pocket door. A pocket door is designed to slide inside a wall when opened.
Installing a sliding door can maximise space in a bathroom.
5. Electrics
Bathrooms are split into several electrical zones to ensure your safety. UK electrical regulations divide the bathroom into four different areas which set out the distance required between appliances and water sources (e.g. showers, toilets, etc.).
All electrical circuits in bathrooms should be fitted with RCD protection not exceeding 30mA.
How to budget for a bathroom renovation
Below you'll find a series of guides categorised by different bathroom sizes and budgets to help you through your renovation project. Each guide contains a series of photos and a shopping list setting out everything you'll need to carry out the renovation. For every bathroom size, there's three different price options so there's something to suit every style and budget!
More information
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Guide written by:
Sebastian, self-taught DIY-er, Exeter
Redo a roof with wooden beams? Check. Advise everybody in the DIY shop? Check. Redo bathroom plumbing? Check. If it doesn't work, try again! I'll do my best to advise you in your projects.
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