A bathroom refurbishment transforms one of the most used rooms in the house, and a well-executed project can significantly improve daily living quality and property value. In London, bathroom refurbishments are among the most frequently commissioned interior improvements, and understanding how to plan and deliver one properly makes a real difference to the outcome.
The starting point is the layout. Changing the position of the toilet, bath, or basin in an existing bathroom can be done but involves moving drainage pipework, which adds cost and complexity. If the existing layout works reasonably well, keeping the sanitaryware in broadly the same positions and simply replacing the fittings and finishes is far more cost-effective. If the layout needs to change, the drainage routing must be designed before any other decisions are made.
Plumbing is the first trade to rough in after any structural work and drainage routing is confirmed. The supply pipework for the hot and cold water to the basin, bath, and shower must be positioned to suit the new sanitaryware layout. For showers, the type of shower valve affects where the supply pipes and waste must go.
Electrical work in bathrooms is subject to specific regulations due to the presence of water. All electrical work must comply with Part P of the building regulations and must be carried out by a competent person. Lighting, extractor fans, underfloor heating, and shaver points are all common bathroom electrical installations and must be positioned in the correct zones relative to the bath or shower.
Wall tiling and waterproofing must be done before the sanitaryware is installed. The waterproofing or tanking of the shower enclosure and any wet areas is a critical step that is often rushed or omitted entirely on poorly managed jobs. A properly tanked shower enclosure with a continuous waterproof membrane behind the tiles will prevent water penetrating the substrate and causing damage to the structure behind.
Sanitaryware and brassware are installed after tiling and before any final decoration. The quality of sanitaryware available at a wide range of price points means that a bathroom can look excellent at a mid-range budget or outstanding at a higher specification. What matters most is the quality of the installation rather than the price of the fittings.
Costs for a full bathroom refurbishment in London typically range from eight to twenty thousand pounds for a standard family bathroom, depending on the extent of the work, the specification of the sanitaryware and tiles, and whether drainage or structural changes are required.
RCB Design and Build carries out bathroom refurbishments as part of wider house renovation projects across London. We coordinate plumbing, electrical, tiling, and fit-out under a single contract.