DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How to get honest quotes for a new bathroom
A new bathroom pulls together plumbing, tiling, electrics and fitting, so quotes can vary wildly depending on what each fitter has assumed. One tradesperson might price a full strip-out with moved pipework, another a like-for-like swap with a lick of new tiling, and on paper the numbers look nothing alike even though the room ends up the same size. Getting comparable quotes is the key to a fair price. Write down the same spec for everyone and line the answers up against the real prices below.
The quick version
- Bathroom quotes vary most on labour and tiling, not the suite you pick.
- Ask every fitter to price the same layout and spec so you compare like with like.
- Any electrical work must meet Part P and be done by a registered electrician.
- Get three quotes so you can spot who has priced the awkward bits and who has skipped them.
- A quote that looks cheap because it skips certification, waste removal or making good will cost more once those get added back in.
- Sole traders and small local firms often come in lower than larger fitted-bathroom companies for the same spec, because the price includes less overhead and no showroom.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,800“£1.8k labour, £3.2k materials”
- £5,500“5.5k. Local to you.”
- £5,500“We paid around £5500 for a small bathroom with shower only”
- £8,000“My daughter paid £8000 for a large bathroom (bath and shower over the bath). We paid around £5500 for a small bathroom”
- £8,500“£8,500, stripped out old, everything new, tiling half wall, karndean flooring.”
- £11,500“11.5k for 2, an ensuite with toilet shower and sink units and cupboard using tiles and wall panels and a larger bathroom”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Bathrooms are labour-heavy, and that labour is where quotes drift apart. Moving the toilet or basin means new pipework and can double the plumbing time, while keeping the layout keeps costs down. Tiling is another big swing, since full-height tiling costs far more than a splashback, and the tile size affects how long it takes to lay. Extractor fans and new lighting bring in electrical work that must be certified, and a fitter who is not qualified to sign that off will either subcontract it or leave it out of the quote entirely, which is why two quotes for the same job can look so different. Who you hire matters too. A sole trader working alone will usually quote lower day rates than a larger fitted-bathroom company with a showroom, project managers and its own supply chain, but the sole trader may take longer and can't always start straight away. Where you live changes things as well, since labour rates in and around London and the South East tend to run higher than in the North or in more rural areas, simply because the tradesperson's own costs of living and travel are higher there. Whether the fitter supplies the suite or you do, and the standard of finish you expect, both move the final figure too.
How to pay less
- Keep the toilet, basin and bath in the same spots to avoid costly pipework changes.
- Write down the exact spec and layout, then get three quotes against it so they match.
- Buy the suite and tiles yourself if the fitter agrees, to see the markup and shop around.
- Pay deposits by credit card for Section 75 protection, and stage payments against work done.
- Ask each quote to itemise labour, materials, waste removal and certification separately, so you can see exactly what you are paying for rather than one lump figure.
- Book outside the peak spring and early summer season if you can. Fitters are often less booked up over winter and may price more keenly to fill the diary.
Common questions
How many quotes should I get for a new bathroom?
Three is ideal. With a job that mixes several trades, one quote tells you little on its own. Three lets you see where the middle sits and question anyone well above or below it, especially on labour and tiling.
Why are bathroom quotes so different from each other?
Because fitters make different assumptions. One may include moving plumbing, full tiling and a new extractor, another may price a like-for-like swap. Give them all the same spec and the quotes fall into line. Then check them against the real prices below.
Do I need a registered electrician for bathroom electrics?
Yes. Electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable under Part P because of the water risk, so it must be done and certified by a registered electrician. Make sure your quote covers the fan, lighting and certification rather than leaving it as an extra.
Is it cheaper to keep the bathroom layout the same?
Usually, yes. Moving the toilet, basin or bath means breaking into the floor or wall to reroute pipework, which adds both time and mess. Keeping everything where it already is lets the fitter focus the budget on finish and tiling instead of groundwork.
Should I buy the suite and tiles myself or let the fitter supply them?
Either can work, but buying your own lets you see exactly what you are spending and shop around rather than paying a hidden markup on materials. If the fitter supplies everything, ask for the material cost to be broken out separately in the quote so you can judge whether it is fair.
What should a written bathroom quote actually include?
It should set out labour and materials separately, name who is doing the electrics and confirm they will certify the work, state whether waste removal and making good are included, and give a start date and rough timescale. A quote missing any of these is one where the gaps will turn into extra cost later.