Bathroom Fitting Cost: 2026 Labour Prices UK
A new bathroom is one of the most popular home improvements in the UK, and one of the most complicated for its size. In a small room, you have plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, tiling, plastering and carpentry all happening within a few square metres. Labour is a big part of the cost, and quotes can vary a lot.
According to Checkatrade, bathroom fitters charge about £320 to £480 a day. Labour for a full bathroom refit typically costs around £1,500 to £3,000, and the job usually takes five to ten days.
This guide explains labour prices, day rates, timescales and the extras that add up, so you can compare quotes with confidence.
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Labour prices
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Labour for a full bathroom refit | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| Bathroom fitter day rate | £320 to £480 |
| Typical duration | 5 to 10 days |
Checked October 2026: Checkatrade bathroom fitter cost guide (updated June 2026).
These figures cover labour only. They do not include the bathroom suite, tiles, taps, shower, furniture, flooring or materials such as adhesive, grout, boards and pipework, unless the fitter's quote says so.
What affects the labour price
- Size of the bathroom. More floor and wall area means more tiling and more time.
- Layout changes. Keeping the toilet, bath and basin in the same place is far cheaper than moving them. Moving a toilet means moving the soil pipe, which can be a big job.
- Condition of the room. Rotten floorboards, damaged walls or old pipework add time.
- Tiling. Floor to ceiling tiling takes much longer than a few rows around the bath.
- Specification. Wall hung toilets, concealed cisterns, built in storage and walk in showers all need more work.
- Location. Rates are higher in London and the South East.
Day rates
Bathroom fitters are often multi skilled, handling plumbing, tiling and carpentry themselves. That is why their day rate is similar to a plumber's.
| Trade | Day rate |
|---|---|
| Bathroom fitter | £320 to £480 |
| Plumber | £320 to £480 |
| Tiler | £250 to £350 |
| Electrician | £300 to £500 |
| Plasterer | about £300 |
Checked October 2026: Checkatrade. See our UK tradesmen day rates index for 25 trades.
One fitter or several trades?
Many bathroom fitters do almost everything themselves, bringing in an electrician only for lighting, extractor fans and electric showers. Others act as project managers, hiring separate plumbers, tilers, plasterers and electricians. A single fitter can be easier to coordinate. A team of specialists can be faster.
Timescales
Checkatrade puts a typical bathroom refit at five to ten days. Here is roughly how that breaks down for a standard family bathroom where the layout stays the same:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Strip out the old bathroom | 1 day |
| First fix plumbing and electrics | 1 to 2 days |
| Boarding, plastering and repairs | 1 to 2 days |
| Tiling walls and floor | 2 to 3 days |
| Second fix: fitting the suite, taps and shower | 1 to 2 days |
| Finishing, sealing and snagging | 1 day |
These stage timings are rule of thumb estimates to help you plan, not published averages. Jobs with layout changes, wet rooms or lots of tiling take longer.
Living without a bathroom
If it is your only bathroom, plan ahead. Ask the fitter to keep the toilet working for as long as possible, or to refit it at the end of each day. Some fitters can install the new toilet early in the job. Agree this before work starts.
Extras
Removal and disposal
Stripping out an old bath, tiles and suite creates heavy waste. Check whether disposal is included or whether you need skip hire.
Moving the toilet or waste pipes
Moving the toilet away from the soil stack can be expensive and is sometimes not possible without major work. Moving a basin or bath is usually easier.
Electrics
Bathrooms have strict electrical rules because of water. Lighting, extractor fans, shaver sockets, electric showers and underfloor heating must be installed by a qualified electrician. Electric shower installation is covered in our electric shower guide.
Underfloor heating
Electric underfloor heating mats are popular in bathrooms. They add to both materials and labour, and need an electrician to connect.
Tiling
Large format tiles, complex patterns and natural stone take longer. Waterproofing showers and wet areas properly with tanking is essential and adds time.
Wet rooms
A wet room needs the whole floor waterproofed, with the floor sloped to a drain. It costs significantly more than a standard bathroom. See our wet room cost guide.
Plastering and boarding
Damaged walls may need replastering, or boarding with cement or moisture resistant board before tiling.
Flooring and decorating
Vinyl or luxury vinyl tile floors, such as Karndean, are often laid at the end. Painting ceilings and any untiled walls completes the job.
Hot water and heating
If you are adding a powerful shower, check your boiler and hot water system can cope. Upgrading the boiler or adding a pump adds cost.
Planning the bathroom
Good planning saves money because it avoids changes once work has started.
Measure carefully
Measure the room, including the ceiling height, the position of the window and door, and any sloping ceilings. Note where the soil pipe leaves the room, since the toilet usually needs to stay close to it.
Think about how you use the room
A family bathroom needs a bath, storage and an easy to clean floor. An en suite might be better with a large shower and no bath. If you are planning to stay in the house as you get older, a level access shower and grab rails can be built in now far more cheaply than added later.
Choose everything before work starts
Order the suite, taps, shower, tiles and furniture before the fitter starts, and check every item when it arrives. Delays waiting for a missing part mean the fitter either waits, which you may pay for, or leaves and comes back later.
Agree the details
Decide on tile layout, the height of the basin and mirror, the position of the shower controls and where the towel rail will go. Write these down and share them with the fitter.
Showers explained
The type of shower you choose affects both the price and the work involved.
| Shower type | How it works | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | Heats cold mains water as you use it | Needs its own electrical circuit |
| Mixer shower | Mixes hot and cold water from your system | Pressure depends on your boiler or hot water cylinder |
| Power shower | Mixer with a built in pump | Needs a tank fed system, not a combi boiler |
| Digital shower | Electronic control of temperature and flow | Needs power and careful installation |
Ask your fitter which type suits your hot water system. A shower that looks great in the showroom may be disappointing if your water pressure is low.
Ventilation
Bathrooms produce a lot of moisture. Without good ventilation, you get condensation, mould and peeling paint. Building Regulations generally expect mechanical extract ventilation in bathrooms, and a fan must be wired by a qualified electrician. A fan with a humidity sensor or overrun timer keeps running after you leave the room, which helps clear moisture.
Snagging
Before you make the final payment, check:
- No leaks from taps, waste pipes, the toilet or the shower
- The shower tray or wet room floor drains properly with no standing water
- Silicone seals are neat and continuous
- Tiles are level, evenly spaced and fully grouted
- The toilet flushes properly and the cistern refills
- The extractor fan works
- Doors and drawers on furniture line up
Make a written list of anything that needs fixing and agree when it will be done.
Common problems
Hidden damage. Lifting an old bath or removing tiles often reveals rotten floorboards, leaking pipes or crumbling plaster. Keep a contingency of around 10% of the budget for surprises.
Low water pressure. A new shower can expose weak pressure in an older system. Check before buying.
Out of square walls. Older houses rarely have straight walls, which makes tiling and fitting shower screens harder. A good fitter will allow for this.
Poor waterproofing. Leaks from a badly sealed shower can damage ceilings below and cause rot. Tanking wet areas before tiling is worth paying for.
Labour vs supply and fit
Some fitters and bathroom showrooms offer a supply and fit package. This can be convenient and may bring trade discounts on the suite. Buying your own bathroom suite and paying for labour only gives you more choice and control, but you are responsible for checking everything arrives complete and on time.
For full project costs, including the suite and materials, see our new bathroom cost guide.
Hiring a bathroom fitter
- Get at least three quotes based on the same plan
- Ask exactly what is included: strip out, disposal, plumbing, tiling, electrics, plastering
- Look at photos of finished bathrooms and ask for references
- Check public liability insurance
- Make sure electrical work will be certified
- Agree a payment schedule
Our guide on how to choose a tradesman has 12 checks to make before you hire.
Saving money
- Keep the layout the same to avoid moving waste pipes
- Tile only wet areas rather than every wall
- Choose standard tile sizes
- Strip out the old bathroom yourself if you are confident
- Do the decorating yourself
- Book during quieter months if your timing is flexible
FAQs
How much does it cost to fit a bathroom?
Labour for a full bathroom refit typically costs £1,500 to £3,000, according to Checkatrade, plus the cost of the suite and materials.
What is a bathroom fitter's day rate?
About £320 to £480 a day.
How long does it take to fit a bathroom?
Usually five to ten days for a standard bathroom.
Does a bathroom fitter do tiling?
Many do, but some use a separate tiler. Check before you accept a quote.
Do I need an electrician for a new bathroom?
Yes, for any electrical work, including lighting, extractor fans and electric showers.
Can I stay in the house during a bathroom refit?
Yes, but if it is your only bathroom, agree with your fitter how they will keep a toilet working.
Do bathroom fitters charge VAT?
Only if they are VAT registered, which is required once taxable turnover passes £90,000.
Should I pay a deposit?
A small deposit is common, but avoid paying most of the price upfront. Pay the balance after snagging.
Can I just replace the suite without retiling?
Yes. Swapping a toilet, basin and bath in the same positions, without retiling, is a much smaller job and can often be done in a day or two. Check that the new pieces cover the same footprint, or you may see gaps in old tiles or flooring.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new bathroom?
Usually not for a like for like refit, but electrical work, new drainage and some ventilation work fall under the regulations. Your fitter and electrician should know what needs certifying.
Get quotes
Measure the room, take photos, note any layout changes and send the same brief to at least three bathroom fitters. Ask each one to list what is included, how long the job will take and when they could start.
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