Bathroom Renovation Cost in London (2025 Guide & Full Price Breakdown)

Step 1. Rip-Out and Waste Disposal

This is the first stage of any bathroom refurb — removing the old suite, tiles, flooring, boxing and waste.

• Labour: £400 – £800

• Materials & waste: £200 – £400

• Typical total: £600 – £1,200

Costs increase if there are two layers of tiles, rotten flooring or hidden leaks.

Step 2. First-Fix Plumbing

First-fix plumbing includes new hot and cold feeds, waste pipes, towel radiator connections, and correcting old pipework problems.

• Labour: £1,000 – £2,000

• Materials: £400 – £900

• Typical total: £1,400 – £2,900

This stage often includes re-routing pipes, hiding copper tails in walls, adding isolation valves, and installing 32–40mm waste pipes with correct fall.

Step 3. First-Fix Electrics & Ventilation

At this stage, cabling is installed for downlights, the fan and any mirror/shaver points.

• Labour: £400 – £800

• Materials: £250 – £600

• Typical total: £650 – £1,400

Most London bathrooms use IP65-rated LED downlights and an inline extraction fan.

Step 4. Studwork, Boxing & Moisture-Resistant Boarding

This involves building structure to house pipework, concealed cisterns and bath-end shelving.

• Labour: £500 – £1,000

• Materials: £250 – £600

• Typical total: £750 – £1,600

Includes bath box sections, pipe chases, concealed cistern framing and moisture-resistant boards.

Step 5. Plastering & Ceiling Preparation

Fresh plaster creates a smooth, modern finish.

• Labour: £350 – £700

• Materials: £100 – £250

• Typical total: £450 – £950

Ceilings are mist-coated first, then finished with bathroom-grade paint to prevent peeling.

Step 6. Tiling Walls & Floor

Tiling is one of the biggest cost drivers in a bathroom renovation.

• Labour: £1,200 – £2,000

• Materials: £700 – £1,500

• Typical total: £1,900 – £3,500

Complex layouts (herringbone, large-format tiles) increase time and cost.

Step 7. Bathroom Suite, Brassware & Towel Radiator (Materials)

Suite and brassware choice has a major impact on budget.

• Bath or shower tray & screen: £400 – £1,000

• Toilet & concealed cistern: £300 – £800

• Basin & vanity unit: £350 – £900

• Shower mixer & taps: £250 – £700

• Towel radiator & valves: £150 – £400

Typical suite materials total: £1,450 – £3,800

Premium brands or special finishes (e.g. brushed brass, matte black) raise this significantly.

Step 8. Second-Fix Plumbing & Electrics

Once tiling is complete, everything is connected and tested.

• Labour: £800 – £1,600

• Materials: £150 – £350

• Typical total: £950 – £1,950

Includes installing the toilet, basin, taps, shower, towel radiator, downlights, fan and any accessories.

Step 9. Decorating & Final Finishing

The final stage includes painting, sealing and cleaning.

• Labour: £350 – £700

• Materials: £100 – £250

• Typical total: £450 – £950

Your bathroom is then ready to use immediately.

Total Cost to Renovate a Bathroom in London

When all stages are combined, a typical full bathroom renovation in London costs:

• Standard range: £7,500 – £15,000

• Premium / luxury: £15,000 – £25,000+

• Budget refurb: £5,500 – £8,000

Smaller bathrooms can still be expensive due to London labour rates and older building layouts.

Example Bathroom Budgets (London)

Example 1 – Small Flat Bathroom (Budget)

• Minimal pipework

• Basic suite

• Ceramic tiles

• Standard lighting
  Total: £5,800 – £7,500

Example 2 – Standard Family Bathroom (Mid-Range)

• New bath, vanity, toilet

• Porcelain tiles

• Inline fan & LED downlights

• Towel radiator
  Total: £8,000 – £12,000

Example 3 – High-End Designer Bathroom

• Premium tiles and brassware

• Bespoke niche shelving

• Concealed valves

• Designer vanity
  Total: £15,000 – £22,000+

What Affects Bathroom Renovation Cost in London?

• Bathroom size

• Tile choice and layout

• Quality of suite and brassware

• Condition of existing plumbing and electrics

• Layout changes (moving the toilet or shower)

• Ventilation upgrades

• Property access (top floor, narrow stairs, no lift)

Hidden Bathroom Renovation Costs to Watch For

• Rotten floorboards

• Two layers of tiles

• Old leaking traps

• Soil pipe in the wrong position

• Outdated electrics

• Mould behind tiles

• Failed silicone and damaged plasterboard

A proper survey should highlight these items early.

How to Reduce Bathroom Renovation Costs (Without Losing Quality)

• Keep the same layout

• Choose ceramic tiles instead of premium porcelain

• Select simple patterns rather than herringbone

• Use a standard towel radiator

• Avoid niche shelving (labour-heavy)

• Choose mid-range vanities and brassware

These changes can reduce the budget by £1,000–£3,000.