Bathroom Renovation Costs: How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
Considering a bathroom renovation can be a daunting task, both from a structural and economic point of view. More so from a cost perspective, working out the economics of a bathroom renovation at the planning stage is pivotal to not go out of budget and end up in a big conundrum. It is therefore always important to know how much you may be spending at each stage and for each element during a bathroom renovation. In this article, let’s discuss the average costs, key considerations that will help you budget your bathroom renovation.
The cost for a bathroom renovation in the UK essentially depends on the scale of the project (size), condition of the existing bathroom, and type & quality of materials used. Since bathroom renovations are quite expensive, ignoring these factors and diving straight into remodeling your existing bathroom is like sailing in unchartered waters which may result in a lost cause.
Considering a bathroom renovation can be a daunting task, both from a structural and economic point of view. More so from a cost perspective, working out the economics of a bathroom renovation at the planning stage is pivotal to not go out of budget and end up in a big conundrum. It is therefore always important to know how much you may be spending at each stage and for each element during a bathroom renovation. In this article, let’s discuss the average costs, key considerations that will help you budget your bathroom renovation.
Key Considerations While Renovating Bathroom
There are several factors that influence how a bathroom renovation turns out. Most of the time, these factors have the biggest influence on the cost. It is hence important to know about the recent trends in costs and developments in material usage to arrive at the best decision before marching on with the project.
Key Considerations While Renovating Bathroom
There are several factors that influence how a bathroom renovation turns out. Most of the time, these factors have the biggest influence on the cost. It is hence important to know about the recent trends in costs and developments in material usage to arrive at the best decision before marching on with the project.
1. Scale of the Project
The scale of the project invariably depends on the size of your bathroom. Installing tiles will need planning as per dimensions and the vastness of the floor & walls. The size of the bathroom will also be key when it comes to placement of lighting to ensure light reaches to all corners of the bathroom.
2. Condition of the Bathroom
The current state of your existing bathroom will decide how much work needs to be done. Leaks from walls may require water proofing, the extent of damage on tiles to assess the degree of repair, paint job, and condition of the plumbing system and condition of other accessories play key role.
3. Type and Quality of Materials
It is quite obvious, premium the quality; higher the cost. More importantly it depends on the type of material that requires replacement or repairs. For instance, sanitary accessories and bath fittings are usually priced higher, while the cost of tiles though depend on the quality where basic ceramics cost less and high-end porcelain or glass tiles cost more per square metre.
4. Location of the Property
Location of the property in the UK plays an integral role in deciding costs. For example, labour costs in London will be higher than in other parts of England or the UK.
5. Miscellaneous Factors
Miscellaneous factors that can influence bathroom renovation can be the inclusion of non-utility aesthetic elements, the contractor you choose to work with, and other design preferences.
Average Costs for Small Bathroom Renovation in the UK
As it is evident, since the layout/area of the bathroom is smaller, the cost will scale down relatively. Smaller the area of the bathroom, the less time to renovate, which also means you spend less on labour costs. However, the choice of materials, and location of the property may still play a key role in deciding the cost.
Let’s look at the range for small bathroom renovation cost UK classified as basic/low-end upgrades to high-end upgrades.
Small Bathroom Renovation Cost UK
The average size of a small bathroom in the UK may range from 6*3 to 8*6 in feet. The cost range in total to completely renovate a small bathroom of this size may vary between £2,000 to £5,500. This includes the costs required for accessories and materials along with the cost of labour and other contingency expenses.
1. Tiling a Small Bathroom
Costs for tiling a small bathroom depend on the type of tiles and the required finish. As the cost range for tiles varies from as low as £15 to £50 per sq mtr for ceramics to the highest being £100 to £150 per sq mtr for glass and porcelain, it really depends upon the type of tiles chosen.
The average total cost for tiling a small bathroom including the labour costs may range from £500 to £900.
2. Installing Fixtures
Fixtures for a small bathroom renovation may include a standard toilet, a pedestal basin, bath/shower, and an exhaust fan may range from £550 to £1,500.
3. Paint Job
The cost range for painting a small bathroom starts from £8 to £16 per sq mtr for walls. For ceilings, it may cost between £6 to £12 per sq mtr.
3. Labour Costs
Labour costs for a small bathroom vary with respect to the time taken for a specific job and are accounted per hour. On an average, you may pay up to £100 to £250 per day as labour expenses depending upon the location of your property.
The total labour cost range for a small bathroom renovation may vary between £600 to £1,600.
5. Other Contingency Costs
Expenses may come up in the form of additional accessories or prolonged workdays, which may add up an additional £500 to the total.
The above estimates done for a small bathroom renovation cost UK are ballpark estimates in ranges and is an approximate indicator that can help you plan your budget.
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost? A Detailed Breakdown
By now we are quite aware of the factors that affect bathroom renovations. The total cost for a bathroom renovation in the UK may range between £2,500 to £12,000 inclusive of all types of bathrooms. Let’s take a detailed look at the cost that includes the range and type of renovation, along with the cost of accessories, labour costs and other additional costs that come up as sporadic needs.
Bathroom Renovation Costs
If you are looking for a basic renovation with essential fixtures such as a straightforward suite with a bath, shower, sink and a toilet, your bathroom renovation may cost you between £2,500 to £5,000.
A mid-range renovation of your bathroom can include tiling of walls and floor in addition to a basic suite. This kind of renovation may cost you between £4,500 to £7,000 including labour costs.
High-end Renovations typically include the use of premium materials and luxury amenities which may increase your budget to the range of £7,000 to £12,000.
Breaking Down the Cost Details
Now that we have a fair idea of an approximate total cost for a bathroom renovation, let’s see what adds up to the cost and how much you may have to spend in addition.
1. Installation Costs
The labour cost of a full bathroom renovation depends on the size of the bathroom and type of renovation. Installation costs in the UK will cost you £150 to £250 per day. So, considering all the factors, from basic to high-end and from small size to large size bathroom renovation, you can expect to pay an approximate of £1,200 to £2,000 to install a bathroom.
2. Tiling a Bathroom
The price to tile a bathroom will depend on the type and area of bathroom space marked for tiling. Details in the below table should offer a fair idea –
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Showers have evolved to suit new age advancements and needs. With a variety of shower types to choose from, you ultimately choose the one based on your needs and budget.
Electric showers have been quite common in UK households in recent times as they are relatively low priced. They make use of the mains cold water unit and heat water only when needed and hence turn out to be economical with a simple installation process.
Cost of Electric Showers – £150 to £350
Installation cost – £200
Power Showers come with pumps that help increase the pressure and thus the flow. If your house has low water pressure, then choosing a power shower can be a good option.
Cost of a Power Shower – £200 to £500
Installation cost – £500
Replacing a Power shower – £320
Digital Showers offer accurate temperature control mechanisms. They feature control panels that help precise control over temperature at the touch of a button.
Cost of a Digital Shower – £250 to £800
Installation cost – £400
Mixers usually use hot water source to mix both cold and hot water which is done manually.
Cost of a Mixer Shower – £60 to £250
Installation cost – £200
Thermostatic mixer showers have a built-in thermostat and baring this, they are otherwise quite similar to manual mixer showers
Cost of a Thermostatic Shower – £150 to £350
Installation cost – £200
Shower Enclosure costs depend on the type and composition. A whole new shower enclosure may cost as follows –
Open Shower Enclosure – £200 to £400
Wet room Shower Enclosure – £500 to £700
4. Bathtub
Bathtubs made of acrylic or porcelain are ideal as they are durable and retain water heat for a good amount of time. Moreover, they are also affordable options that make for an ideal choice when planning on a budget.
Acrylic, Fiberglass and Porcelain bathtubs approximate cost including installation – £200 to £300
Steel bathtubs can retain heat better than the above types and may cost – £250 to £500 including installation
Bathtubs made of Natural Stone and Cast Iron are high priced luxury options with costs ranging between £1,500 to £3,500.
5. Basins/Sinks
Standard pedestal sinks are ideal for small to mid-size homes as they can be easily installed and are relatively inexpensive.
Normal Pedestal Basin Cost – £50 to £70
Semi-pedestal Basin Cost – £75 (low-end) to £220 (high-end)
Countertop basins start from as low as £55 and can go up to £240 depending on the size and modern aesthetic desires
Wall Hung Basins come in compact sizes. If you are looking to install it for your small bathroom you can get a wall-hung basin for as low as £50 (cloakroom basins).
If you have the budget and are looking for modernity and exquisite aesthetics, the cost may range from £150 to £350 for wall-hung basins.
6. Toilets
From traditional, floor-mounted to wall-mounted, toilets come in different types. The difference primarily is in the concealing of outlet pipes, which makes wall-hung toilets desirable options for some.
Close-coupled, Floor-mounted toilet cost – £100 to £200
Low-level cistern toilet is fitted to lower wall levels and are traditional in looks. Cost ranges from £120 to £210
High-level cistern toilets though date back to yesteryears, are still a popular choice. Cisterns run up to the wall with a chain pull flush option. Costs range from £145 to £260.
Wall-hung toilets are designed for modern needs and aesthetics. They are a very popular option as they fit into compact spaces and have concealed cisterns and outlet pipes. Cost can range from £250 to £500
7. Taps
Taps inside a bathroom incur less cost as compared to other essential fittings.
Pillar taps are the popular choice for their price point and have separate controls for heat regulation. Cost ranges from £25 to £40
Mixer taps have separate heat controls for hot and cold water. Costs can range from £50 to £100.
Additional Costs
Other accessories which can affect the budget of your bathroom renovation are underfloor heating, lighting, and mirror installations which essentially depend on one’s desire and liking.
Underfloor heating installations are excellent choices for their energy efficiency, comfort, and cost, especially in the damp UK climate.
Electric Underfloor Heating systems uses wires to transfer heat and are relatively inexpensive to install – £55 to £80 per sq mtr
Wet Underfloor Heating systems make use of pipes and plumbing accessories and are cheaper to run. They are best suited for extensions and newbuilds and cost more than electric types – £125 to £180 per sq mtr
Mirrors come as framed and frameless types and the selection of them are purely personal choices.
Framed Mirror Cost – £100 to £200
Frameless Mirror Cost – £120 to £260
Budgeting for your Bathroom Renovation: What to Expect
When budgeting your bathroom renovation, not only do you need to consider regular and definite expenses, but also need to be ready for sporadic and other hidden expenses. Lighting, towel rails and paint jobs will add more to your budget. Recessed lighting (LED) can start from £20, whereas if you plan to install roof lights, they can be a little expensive in the range of £80 to £100 without installation. As most bathroom walls are covered with tiles, a paint job may incur less cost. Talk to your contractor/builder to understand the cost per day.
For house owners, the key is to know the average cost which we have discussed above. Once you have an idea of the average total cost, then you can plan your bathroom renovation rather comfortably. Keep track of silo purchases of bathroom accessories and see whether it matches the average total cost. Expending on aesthetic amenities inside a bathroom is though not a necessity, it can help in the making of a pleasant environment in the long run.
Planning a bathroom renovation? Contact the specialists. For more than 13 years, Extension Architecture has mastered the art and science of renovations, extensions and conversions. Apart from specialising in these areas, our approach to helping clients cut down on unnecessary expenses and meeting project timelines make us one of the desirable architectural firms in London and across the UK.
Get started with clarity up front before starting to spend. Contact our experts.
