Bathroom Renovation Cost London — Honest 2025 Guide
Real prices from real London projects. A small bathroom refresh starts from £6,000. A full luxury renovation can reach £25,000+. Here is what each level actually includes — and what changes the price.
Bathroom renovation costs by specification
All figures based on typical London projects including labour, first-fix materials, waterproofing, and tiling labour. Second-fix materials (tiles, sanitaryware, taps, accessories) are client-supplied — this is RCB's standard position, giving you full control over the finish.
Small Bathroom Refresh
En-suites, small family bathrooms, rental property upgrades. Works best where the layout stays the same and the condition of walls and floor is sound.
New suite, new tiling to an existing layout. No structural changes, no drainage moves. Strip out, waterproof, tile, fit — clean and functional result.
✓ TYPICALLY INCLUDED
- ✓Strip-out and disposal
- ✓Waterproofing / tanking
- ✓Tiling — floor and walls (client supplies tiles)
- ✓Installation of client-supplied suite (bath or shower, basin, WC)
- ✓Taps and waste fittings
- ✓Extractor fan
- ✓First-fix plumbing (re-use of existing positions)
- ✓Lighting — basic recessed downlights
✗ NOT INCLUDED
- ✗Tiles, sanitaryware, taps, accessories (client-supplied)
- ✗Moving drainage or soil stack
- ✗Replastering if walls in poor condition
- ✗Underfloor heating
Medium Bathroom — Full Renovation
Main family bathrooms, master en-suites on loft or extension projects. Suitable for rooms that need a full restart rather than a cosmetic refresh.
Full strip to stud or brick, replastering, new drainage layout if needed, full tiling package, new suite and fittings throughout. The most common RCB bathroom scope.
✓ TYPICALLY INCLUDED
- ✓Full strip-out including floor and wall finishes
- ✓Replastering throughout
- ✓Waterproofing — full tanking system
- ✓First-fix plumbing — new drainage runs if needed
- ✓First-fix electrics — RCBO-protected circuit, underfloor heating prep if required
- ✓Tiling — floor and full-height walls (client supplies tiles)
- ✓Client-supplied suite installed: bath or shower, basin, WC
- ✓Shower enclosure or bath screen
- ✓Heated towel rail
- ✓Extractor with timer
- ✓Recessed downlights
✗ NOT INCLUDED
- ✗Tiles, sanitaryware, shower enclosure, taps (client-supplied)
- ✗Bespoke joinery or vanity units
- ✗Underfloor heating manifold if not already present
- ✗Carpet (RCB does not supply or install carpet)
Large / Luxury Bathroom
Master bathrooms on high-value properties, refurbishment projects, loft conversions where specification is premium. Often combined with full house refurbishment scope.
Large format tiling, bespoke vanity units, freestanding bath, walk-in shower with multiple heads, underfloor heating throughout. Complex layouts with premium finishes.
✓ TYPICALLY INCLUDED
- ✓Full strip and replastering
- ✓Full waterproofing and tanking
- ✓Underfloor heating — electric mat with thermostat
- ✓Large format tile installation (requires additional preparation)
- ✓Bespoke vanity unit fitting (client-supplied or specified)
- ✓Freestanding bath plumbing
- ✓Walk-in shower tray and screen or frameless glass
- ✓Full M&E — heated towel rail, multiple lighting zones, shaver point
- ✓Feature wall tiling or mosaic panel
✗ NOT INCLUDED
- ✗Tiles (client-supplied — quantities advised by RCB)
- ✗Sanitaryware, freestanding bath, taps, shower fittings (client-supplied)
- ✗Bespoke joinery if not in scope
- ✗Carpet
What affects the cost of a bathroom renovation in London?
Six factors that move the final number — and by how much.
Drainage relocation
HighMoving a WC, soil stack, or bath position requires breaking up floors and re-routing drainage. This adds £1,500–£4,000+ depending on extent.
Replastering required
MediumWalls in poor condition, old tile removal damage, or a full wet room specification all require replastering. Add £800–£2,000 for a typical bathroom.
Tile specification and format
MediumLarge format tiles (600×600mm+) require more preparation, more adhesive, and more skill to set out and cut. Budget 20–30% more on labour versus standard tiles.
Underfloor heating
MediumElectric underfloor heating mat in a standard bathroom adds £600–£1,200 depending on size. Water-fed UFH is more complex and usually only cost-effective as part of a wider project.
Bathroom size
HighLarger floor and wall area means more tiling labour and material. A 6m² bathroom and a 12m² bathroom are not twice the cost, but there is a direct relationship between size and price.
Access and condition
VariableDifficult access, old lath-and-plaster walls, or unexpected structural issues behind old cladding can add time and cost. Older London properties often have surprises once opened up.
⚠️ About these figures
These are ballpark ranges based on completed London projects and current market conditions (2025). They are not formal quotations. Actual costs depend on your specific bathroom, its condition, the specification you choose, and any structural or drainage complexities. A detailed estimate is only produced after a site survey. Costs may be higher or lower once we have assessed your project — that is normal. It is a refinement based on real information, not a contradiction of what you read here.
Bathroom renovation cost — frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in London?
A London bathroom renovation costs £6,000–£25,000+ depending on size and specification. A small bathroom refresh (new suite, tiling, electrics) typically costs £6,000–£10,000. A full medium bathroom renovation runs £10,000–£16,000. A large or luxury bathroom with high-end finishes and bespoke features costs £16,000–£25,000+. These are real figures from London projects completed by RCB Design & Build.
What is included in a bathroom renovation price?
A full bathroom renovation price from RCB includes strip-out and disposal, first-fix plumbing and electrics, waterproofing and tanking, tiling (walls and floor), plastering and boarding, installation of sanitaryware and fittings, extractor fan, and Building Regulations compliance where required. Second-fix materials — tiles, sanitaryware, taps, accessories — are client-supplied unless specifically included in the scope.
Do I need Building Regulations for a bathroom renovation?
Like-for-like bathroom replacements in the same position do not usually require Building Regulations approval. Moving drainage, relocating the bathroom to a different room, or adding a new bathroom in a loft or extension will require Building Control involvement. RCB identifies what applies to your project and manages the process if required.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A small bathroom strip-out and refurbishment typically takes 5–10 working days. A medium bathroom with full replastering, tiling, and new suite runs 10–15 working days. A large or en-suite combined with other works may take 3–4 weeks. Programme depends on complexity and whether any structural or drainage work is required.
Can I supply my own tiles and sanitaryware?
Yes — in fact this is RCB's standard position. Second-fix materials including tiles, sanitaryware (bath, basin, WC, shower tray, shower enclosure), taps, towel rails, mirrors, and accessories are client-supplied. This gives you full control over the finish and specification. We advise on quantities and lead times — you make the choices. We fit everything.
What changes the cost of a bathroom renovation the most?
The biggest cost drivers are: size of the bathroom, whether drainage needs moving (relocating WC or bath position adds significantly), whether replastering is required, the complexity of tiling (large format tiles and feature walls cost more to fit), and whether the room is being accessed as part of a wider project (combined works are more efficient). Waterproofing requirements and extractor routing also affect price.
Does RCB install carpet in bathrooms?
No. RCB does not supply or install carpet. Bathroom floors are typically tiled or finished with LVT — both of which RCB installs. If you want a specific floor finish outside tiling or LVT, let us know at the scoping stage and we will advise.
Get a free estimate for your bathroom renovation
Tell us about your bathroom — size, current condition, what you want to achieve. We'll respond within a few hours with a realistic budget range and arrange a free site visit.