Bathroom Refurbishment Costs in London 2026
Bathroom refurbishment costs in London vary enormously — from £5,000 for a basic cosmetic update to £30,000 or more for a full reconfiguration with high-specification finishes. The range is so wide because "bathroom refurbishment" covers very different projects. Here's how to understand what you're actually budgeting for.
The Three Levels of Bathroom Refurbishment
Cosmetic refresh: retiling, new sanitaryware in the same positions, new flooring and lighting. No changes to plumbing positions, no structural alterations. This is the most straightforward category — the trades involved are tiling, plumbing (for connection, not distribution), and electrical for lighting. Cost range: £5,000–£12,000 depending on bathroom size and tile specification.
Full strip and refit in existing configuration: full strip-out to structure, new waterproofing, new first-fix plumbing and electrical, new sanitaryware in the same or very similar positions, full tiling, new floor finish. This is the most common bathroom refurbishment category. Cost range: £10,000–£22,000 for a standard-size London bathroom, depending on specification.
Full reconfiguration: changing the position of WC, basin, shower, or bath — which means moving drainage and first-fix plumbing distribution. On upper floors this typically means lifting the floor to access and reroute pipework. Structural alterations (removing a wall, changing a window) add further complexity. Cost range: £18,000–£35,000+.
What Drives the Cost Up
Tile specification. Tiles are one of the most significant cost variables in a bathroom. Large-format porcelain from a mid-range supplier costs very differently from hand-made terracotta or stone from a specialist — and large-format tiles require more labour to install correctly due to weight and precision requirements.
Sanitaryware specification. A standard bathroom suite from a trade supplier costs £600–£1,500. A designer or bespoke suite can cost £5,000–£15,000 or more for the same sanitaryware types.
Wet room versus shower enclosure. A fully tanked wet room requires more intensive waterproofing preparation than a standard shower tray installation — particularly on timber floors, where the build-up needs careful engineering to avoid deflection causing the tanking to fail.
Underfloor heating. Electric underfloor heating under tiles adds relatively modest cost (£500–£1,500 for the heating element and thermostat). Wet underfloor heating requires more significant pipework and is usually only cost-effective when the whole floor is being replaced anyway.
What Is Client-Supplied at RCB
At RCB, all bathroom sanitaryware, tiles, flooring, and fittings are client-supplied unless specifically agreed otherwise. We install; the client sources. This keeps the overall project cost more transparent and allows the client full control over product selection. We're happy to advise on suppliers and specifications — but the products arrive on site selected and purchased by the client.
How to Get an Accurate Bathroom Quote
To get a reliable bathroom refurbishment quote, you need to provide: a clear brief on what you want to change; confirmation of whether drainage and plumbing positions are moving; your tile and sanitaryware specification or at least a quality level; and photos of the existing bathroom, ideally including the floor construction type. Without these, any figure is a broad estimate rather than a price.
RCB handles bathroom refurbishments as part of wider house refurbishments and as standalone projects across London.
07359 872594 | contact@rcbgroup.co.uk | www.rcbgroup.co.uk