How much does a bathroom renovation cost in London in 2026? For most homes the answer is between £3,500 and £12,000+, depending mainly on the size of the room, how much of the layout changes, and the standard of the fittings. This guide breaks the numbers down by bathroom size, shows where the money actually goes, explains what pushes the price up, and how long the work takes — using real fixed-price figures from our own West London projects.
Bathroom renovation cost by size
Size is the biggest single driver of cost, because it determines how much tiling, plumbing, waterproofing and labour the room needs. As a 2026 guide for London:
| Bathroom size | Typical scope | Guide price | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (approx. 2 × 2 m) | Standard 3-piece refit — bath or shower, WC, basin | £3,500–£5,000 | 7–10 working days |
| Medium (approx. 3 × 3.6 m) | Larger refit, some layout change, better finish | £6,000–£8,000 | about 2 weeks |
| Large / en-suite+ (approx. 4 × 3 m) | Full refit, layout changes, premium finish | £8,000–£12,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| Wet room / walk-in shower conversion | Full tanking, drainage, level-access shower | quoted individually (often £8,000+) | 2–3 weeks |
Guide prices, subject to VAT and complexity.
Where the money goes: a cost breakdown
It helps to understand roughly how a bathroom budget splits, because it shows where you can control cost and where you can’t:
| Element | Typical share of budget |
|---|---|
| Labour (plumbing, tiling, electrics, plastering, fitting) | 40–50% |
| Sanitaryware & fittings (bath, shower, WC, basin, brassware) | 30–40% |
| Tiles, flooring & finishes | 15–20% |
Labour is almost always the largest line item — a full renovation needs a plumber, tiler, electrician and plasterer, often overlapping. That’s exactly why using a single contractor with all trades in-house keeps costs predictable (it is how our affordable builders in London hold a fixed price): nobody waits on anyone else, and there are no gaps where days (and money) leak away.
Don’t cut the part you can’t see. Wet areas should be fully tanked (waterproofed) before a single tile goes on — skipping it is how leaks end up in the flat below. The suite is the opposite: there is a big price spread between trade sanitaryware and designer brands, but the fitting cost is similar, so it is the easiest place to flex the budget up or down.
What pushes the price up
Two bathrooms of the same size can cost very differently. The main factors:
- Moving plumbing or the radiator. Relocating the toilet, basin, bath or radiator means new pipe runs and cutting into floors or walls. Moving a soil pipe even a short distance can add a day or more of plumbing; moving it across the room can add several. If the layout works, keeping it saves the most money.
- Layout and structural changes. Knocking through, forming a wet room, or reconfiguring the space adds labour and often waterproofing.
- Specification. A standard suite and ceramic tiles versus a freestanding bath, walk-in shower, porcelain or natural-stone tiles and premium brassware — this is where budgets stretch the most.
- Access. Upper-floor London flats (second or third floor, no lift) make getting materials in and waste out slower, which adds labour.
- Condition of what’s there. Old pipework, damp, or damaged walls behind the existing tiles often need putting right first — common in London’s Victorian and Edwardian housing stock.
- Tiling choices. Floor-to-ceiling porcelain costs more than a splash zone in ceramic, and large-format tiles need flatter walls, so more preparation. Niches, trims and pattern-matching add labour but transform the finish.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard 3-piece refit in London takes about 7–10 working days. Larger bathrooms, layout changes and wet rooms typically take 2–3 weeks, partly because tiling adhesive and grout need time to cure between stages. We give you the programme in writing before we start, including which days are noisy and which days you’ll be without water.
Why bathroom renovations cost more in London
London runs above the UK average for a few reasons: higher trade labour rates, the logistics of working in dense areas (parking, access, no skip outside the door), and a housing stock — lots of period conversions and flats — that regularly turns up surprises once the walls are open. A realistic London baseline for a proper mid-range family bathroom sits around £6,000–£8,000 before any layout changes.
How to keep the cost down (without cutting corners)
- Keep the layout where you can — it’s the single biggest saving.
- Decide the spec early. Choosing your suite, tiles and brassware up front avoids mid-job changes that add cost and time.
- Use one contractor rather than coordinating a plumber, tiler and electrician yourself — you avoid scheduling gaps and finger-pointing.
- Get a fixed written price, not a day rate, so the number can’t drift.
Getting an accurate quote
The only way to know your real cost is a survey. We visit, measure, check the existing services and access, then send an itemised, fixed written quote — the price we agree is the price you pay. Take a look at our completed bathroom projects, or see our bathroom renovation in London service and local pages for Chiswick, Ealing and West London. Doing more than the bathroom? See kitchen renovation in London and flat refurbishment in London.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in London?
Most London bathroom renovations cost between £3,500 and £12,000+, depending on size and specification. A small 3-piece refit starts from around £3,500, a mid-size bathroom is typically £6,000–£8,000, and a large bathroom or en-suite with premium finishes is usually £8,000–£12,000+.
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost?
A standard small bathroom refit (around 2 × 2 m — new bath or shower, WC, basin, tiling and decoration) starts from about £3,500 including labour, materials and waste removal, as a fixed price.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
Labour is usually the largest single cost, followed by the sanitaryware and fittings. Anything that adds labour — especially moving plumbing or the toilet — pushes the total up fastest.
How long does a bathroom renovation take in London?
A standard refit takes about 7–10 working days. Larger bathrooms, layout changes and wet rooms typically take 2–3 weeks.
Does a bathroom renovation add value to my home?
Yes — a well-finished bathroom is consistently one of the higher-return home improvements, and in London it also helps a property sell or let faster. For rentals it supports a higher rent and better tenant retention.
Can I get a bathroom renovated for under £5,000 in London?
Yes — a straightforward three-piece refit in a typical 2 × 2 m room starts from £3,500 + VAT with sensible tile and suite choices.
How disruptive is a bathroom renovation?
Expect 7–10 working days without the room. We protect access routes, isolate the work area and clean up daily.
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