Planning Your Bathroom Renovation
1. Set Your Budget
Be realistic about costs and add 10-20% contingency for surprises.
| Budget Level | What You Get | Typical Cost |
|---|
| Budget | New suite, basic tiles, like-for-like layout | £3,000 - £5,000 |
| Mid-range | Quality suite, better tiles, some changes | £5,000 - £10,000 |
| High-end | Premium fixtures, designer tiles, layout changes | £10,000 - £20,000 |
| Wet room | Full tanking, level access, underfloor heating | £8,000 - £15,000 |
2. Decide What You Want
Consider:
- Layout - Keep existing or move things?
- Bath or shower? - Or both?
- Storage - Wall units, vanity, niches?
- Heating - Towel rail, underfloor?
- Ventilation - Extractor fan essential
- Lighting - Task and ambient
3. Measure Your Space
Accurate measurements help you plan and get quotes. Note:
- Room dimensions
- Window and door positions
- Soil pipe location
- Current plumbing positions
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|
| Toilet | £100 - £200 | £200 - £500 |
| Basin + pedestal/vanity | £100 - £300 | £300 - £800 |
| Bath | £150 - £300 | £300 - £1,000 |
| Shower enclosure | £150 - £400 | £400 - £1,200 |
| Shower (electric/mixer) | £80 - £200 | £200 - £600 |
| Taps (pair) | £50 - £100 | £100 - £300 |
| Towel rail | £50 - £100 | £100 - £300 |
| Tiles (per m²) | £15 - £30 | £30 - £80 |
| Labour (full refit) | £1,500 - £4,000+ |
Tradespeople You'll Need
- Plumber - Pipework, fitting sanitary ware
- Electrician - Lighting, fan, heated towel rail
- Tiler - Wall and floor tiles
- Plasterer - If walls need re-plastering
- Decorator - Painting ceiling/walls
Tip: Some companies offer complete bathroom fitting with all trades. This can be simpler than coordinating multiple tradespeople yourself. My Home Heroes offers full bathroom installation services.
Timeline: What Happens When
Week 1
- Day 1-2: Strip out old bathroom, remove suite and tiles
- Day 2-3: Plumbing first fix (move pipes if needed)
- Day 3-4: Electrical first fix (new wiring)
- Day 4-5: Plastering if needed, let dry
Week 2
- Day 6-8: Tiling walls and floor
- Day 9: Install suite (toilet, basin, bath/shower)
- Day 10: Electrical second fix (lights, fan)
- Day 10: Final plumbing connections, siliconing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Underestimating budget (always add contingency)
- ❌ Choosing style over function
- ❌ Forgetting ventilation (leads to mould)
- ❌ Skimping on waterproofing (especially showers)
- ❌ Not planning storage
- ❌ Ignoring lighting (especially around mirrors)
- ❌ Choosing fixtures before measuring
Questions to Ask Your Bathroom Fitter
- Is the quote fixed price or estimate?
- What's included/excluded?
- How long will it take?
- Do you coordinate all trades?
- What guarantee do you offer?
- Can I see examples of previous work?
- What happens if there are problems?
- When do you need payment?
Written by the My Home Heroes Team
Our engineers have 12+ years experience serving North East England. Gas Safe registered, NICEIC approved.
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