What is the Average Cost of a New Bathroom in the UK?

Once upon a time, the bathroom was considered an afterthought and the toilet was often found in an outhouse, only accessible by stepping outdoors. But today, the bathroom is now deemed to be one of the most important rooms of the house – not only for relaxation, but when it comes to putting your house on the market too. As a result, it is important to ensure your bathroom caters to all your practical needs, whilst being a stylish haven to unwind in. But, the question on everyone’s lips is: “how much does it cost for a new bathroom to be installed?”

What is the standard cost of a new bathroom?

When it comes to creating a new bathroom, suites can vary substantially, depending on whether you decide to opt for basic or technology-driven appliances. But this dependent on what kind of “look” you have envisioned for your new bathroom, and how much budget you have for your project.

Today, an increasing number of people are opting for more luxurious bathroom suites, so it is no wonder that the average cost of a bathroom has increased in price over the years. Generally, for basic suites, the cost of a new bathroom ranges from around £2,000 to £6,000, whereas luxury bathrooms often cost the homeowner over £6,000. But, how much does it cost for a new bathroom to be installed and how much does each item cost individually? Continue reading our bathroom cost guide for a breakdown of the various expenses you must factor into your new bathroom’s budget.

– How much does a bath cost?

The price of a bath can differ when you take into account the various materials on offer. Of all bath tubs on the market, there are five main materials that are most commonly used, which include acrylic, cast iron, timber, composite and stone baths.

If you are on a budget, acrylic baths are often found on the lower end of the scale at around £80. They are sometimes described as “flimsy”, but don’t let this put you off, as they are perfectly durable. If you are looking for something more hard-wearing and you don’t mind spending a little more cash, you may want to try reinforced acrylic instead, which comes with a larger price tag of around £400.

Another inexpensive option is a steel bath, where prices usually start at just over £100. Despite being a little more expensive than low-cost acrylic alternatives, they tend to be far more robust in comparison, making them great value for money.

Our Tip: It is worth doing your research on the various materials before purchasing, as an acrylic bath is said to keep water warm for longer than steel.

As well as material, the size also plays a part in the final sum, as baths larger than the “standard” can cost significantly more. But what is the size of the standard bath? Generally speaking, the most common bath size in the UK is 1700mm in length x 700mm in width, which sits perfectly into the the average UK bathroom which is approximately 2.3m x 2.7m in size. However, if you have a large bathroom, you may want to opt for more “luxurious” bath options, such as a 2000mm freestanding bath tub. This 2000mm bath by Carron Bathrooms is a great choice, but the price tag increases substantially to over £2,000 – a stark contrast to the typical bath which costs around £100.

Also read: Does removing a bath devalue the cost your house?

– How much does a shower cost?

The cost of installing a shower in your bathroom will differ depending on the type of shower you would like, as some may have specific requirements. Before purchasing, ensure you carry out thorough research to make sure your shower type is suitable for your home water system. If not, it may be necessary for extra plumbing work to be carried out, which is worth bearing in mind if you are on a tight budget.

There are four main types of shower on the market, each with varying purchase prices. You should also consider which systems are most cost-effective in order to keep your bills down. This is particularly useful if you have a large family and use the shower frequently. The four different types include:

1. Electric shower

Not only are electric showers easy to install, they are one of the cheapest on the market, starting from around £50. They are also cost-effective to run too, which means it’s a great option if you are on a budget or go through a lot of water. However, bear in mind that electric showers are not as powerful as other shower types (such as a power shower, for instance).

2. Mixer shower

Much like electric showers, mixer showers are also fairly low in price, starting from around £50. If you are looking for a more powerful mixer shower, you could opt for a manual mixer shower which is priced at around £60. Once again, they are easy and cheap to fit, but the pressure doesn’t always reach optimal levels, and the water temperature can be hard to get right.

3. Power shower

In comparison to other types, power showers are a little more costly, starting from around £150. To install, they require more labour work than other showers as they are connected to a pump to increase the flow rate. Because of this, they are often more expensive to run, at 63p a shower.

It is also worth noting that if you have a combi boiler, power showers are not compatible, as they need a supply from both a cold-water cistern and a hot water cylinder.

4. Modern alternatives

Alternatively, digital showers or shower towers are said to be more of a “luxury” showering experience. As a result, this is reflected in the price, which commonly range from £200 and up.

– How much does a toilet cost?

When purchasing a new toilet for your bathroom, whether you are opting for a more luxurious design or want something more classic, the prices understandably vary. A basic close coupled toilet can be purchased for just over £50, but can also stretch well over £100 depending on the look and brand. Without question, the modern-looking wall hung toilets are much pricier, starting at around £80.

Remember to factor in any labour costs when figuring how much a toilet costs, as it’s not a job that can be easily learnt through an article or YouTube video – it’s best to leave it to the experts. Labour costs for those living around the UK differ greatly; for residents in and around London, you should expect to pay £400 to an independent plumber, which decreases by £50 to £350 in the South, South West and the Midlands. For those in the North, it’s around £250.

– How much does bathroom storage cost?

The last thing you want to be surrounded by when relaxing in the bath is clutter. As a result, bathroom storage is vital, to hide away any soaps, shampoo and dental products, resulting in a more minimalistic and modern feel.

If you are on a budget, Showerstoyou suggests opting for a “pedestal basin”, which you can buy for just below £50. But if you would like something a little more visually-appealing, with added storage, consider a vanity unit or sleek wall-hung basin. The most basic styles start off at around £60, but can reach as much as £2,500+ depending on your intended style and material used. For example, ceramic bathroom basins are often the cheapest, but if you decide to opt for glass, metal or stone the price will increase to as much as £1,000.

Don’t overlook the extras

When it comes to purchasing a new bathroom suite, it is easy to neglect the extras and bathroom accessories that help to bring the room together. From taps and tiles, to radiators and toilet seats, each item lends itself to create a luxurious space to unwind in. So, what mustn’t you forget when designing your new bathroom space?

– Taps

When upgrading your bathroom, you may want to make your bath taps and basin taps match. This is a subtle touch to add to your bathroom space and can really help to bring the room together. But be aware, contrary to popular belief, bath and basin hole sizes are different widths, so be sure to measure before making any purchases.

Are all bathroom sink taps the same size?

All new bathroom sink taps are all made to standard dimensions, but before making a purchase, be sure to measure the hole distances of older baths or basins. For reference, the size of the hole for mixer taps should be approximately 180mm (7.25in) apart on a bath, and 195mm (7.75in) for basins.

– Toilet seats

There are a range of toilet seats to suit various bathroom styles, depending on your preferred look. If your bathroom is country-style or inspired by the shabby-chic trend, a wooden toilet seat may be a good choice for you. However, if your bathroom is modern and technology-driven, a simple soft close toilet seat might be the perfect option.

– Lighting

When it comes to bathroom lighting, it is crucial it isn’t an afterthought. Good lighting is key to creating a relaxing space with ambiance – not to mention the perfect selfie light too! Whether you decide to buy wall-mounted lights, or sophisticated spotlights, the prices vary. You can take a look on the likes of Pinterest or home interior magazines for some inspiration.

A Reminder: Unfortunately, you cannot buy any old light for your bathroom, like you can elsewhere in your home. Ensure the light fixtures you are purchasing are suitably sealed to withstand exposure to water. 

– Tiles

When it comes to decorating your new bathroom, it can be a difficult affair. The choice is often scarce, and more often than not, leaving many people to opt for classic white paint. Therefore, to inject some personality into the room, you may want to consider using tiles – particularly if they add some colour.

Our Tip: To avoid making your bathroom feel cramped, remember that smaller “subway” style tiles tend to suit small bathrooms perfectly, whereas large stone-style tiles are more suited to bigger spaces. 

How many tiles do I need?

If you’re not sure of how many tiles you will need to cover the surface area of your bathroom, you will need to know the size of the section you wish to cover in tiles, and measure how big the size of the tiles are that you wish to use. To avoid buying too little or too many, it is worth using an online tile calculator that does the hard work for you. It is paramount you get the calculation correct, otherwise the estimated final cost of your bathroom could be inaccurate – problematic if you are on a budget.

Our Tip: Add an extra 10% on top of the tiles needed, to account for any damages and breakages in transit or during the tiling process.

How much to fit a bathroom suite using a professional?

The price of fitting a bathroom suite is entirely dependent on whether you are ripping everything out and starting afresh, replacing an existing suite, doing the work yourself and the level of luxury you would like.

Once you have purchased your bathroom suite, you must take into account how much it will cost you to pay a professional to complete the job for you. Paying someone’s labour is one of the most expensive factors when it comes to purchasing a new bathroom. To ensure you are getting the best plumber for the job, be sure to ask your friends and family for recommendations, as well as checking their reviews online and via the “Check a Trade” website.

If you are simply swapping an old bathroom for a new suite in the same positions, you can expect to pay anywhere between £300 to £1,000 for labour, which doesn’t require any substantial plumbing work. However, if you are changing your bathroom design and need brand-new plumbing work throughout the room, the price jumps up significantly to around £800 to £3,000 for labour. This price does vary depending on where you are living in the UK and the extent of the jobs you want the professional to do. For instance, if you are staying in London, expect to pay almost double what a Northern resident would pay.

However, if you are on a tight budget, consider fitting a bathroom suite yourself with the help of some helpful DIY YouTube videos, or reading an online guide to installation. However, it’s always best to get an expert to give everything the once-over, to avoid any problems at a later date.

 

Feature image credit: ImageFlow / Shutterstock