Budgeting Advice For Your Next Bathroom Renovation

By: Real Stone and Tile | Posted: November 18, 2024 in Blog

Your bathroom is a relaxing haven that welcomes you to indulge in self-care rituals at the start and end of each day.

Renovating your bathroom is an exciting process that allows you to take creative control and determine the vibe of your space, making it by far one of the most exciting rooms in the home to update.

Before you begin the process of renovating, it is helpful to understand the general cost of both the overall installation, as well as the range of prices for specific products.

We spoke to our Co-Director, Leigh Price, who shared his helpful budgeting advice for any homeowner embarking on a bathroom renovation.

1. What are the average costs for a new bathroom? Including sanitaryware, plumbing, electrics and installation?

When it comes to installing a new bathroom, there are a number of variables that can determine the overall price of your renovation.

This includes the size of the room, the quality of products you're installing, whether you wish to invest in a statement piece (freestanding bath, luxury feature wall), etc.

Using the example of a bathroom containing a bath, vanity unit, toilet & shower in a 3 bed semi-detached home, I would place the average cost for the entire installation between £5,000 - £7,500.

The price breakdown of this would allow for £2,000 - £3,000 on bathroom materials, and the remaining budget (between £3,000 - £5,000) for the fitter to prepare and install the bathroom.

2. What are the different elements that you need to budget for in your new bathroom costs?

Many homeowners forget to consider the preparation costs associated with home renovation. These 'hidden costs' (or the things you can't see when the renovation is complete) involve skip hire, ripping out the existing bathroom, waterproofing the room, plastering, painting, downlights, etc. and depending on the scale of prep/size of the space, this can soon add up.

In terms of budgeting for products, I would suggest allocating spend for quality accessories/finishing touches that will stand the test of time, such as your toilet roll holder, towel ring, toothbrush holder, etc.
People often forget to factor in this cost, yet it can increase the price of your renovation by a few hundred pounds.

3. Where should you spend the most money?

If you're having any concealed elements in your renovation, such as a wall hung cistern or shower valve, I would strongly recommend investing in premium quality products to ensure optimum performance for the long term.

Concealed elements are built into the wall, making them harder to access for repairs, so for this reason I always suggest customers choose a brand that provides a long-term product guarantee, as longer guarantee means better quality.

Another question to consider when choosing items for your bathroom is "will I be able to purchase a replacement parts if it fails?"
Low quality products are more likely to be discontinued/unable to source over time, in comparison to using a trusted brand/supplier which will ensure parts can be replaced.

For bathrooms with a high footfall such as a couple's en-suite, it is essential that customers invest in their working parts. Frequent use of items such as shower screen doors, toilet lids, etc. result in inevitable wear and tear over time. Choosing high quality products will ensure a longer lifespan, and prevent from needing to repurchase items.

4. How can you save money?

One way to save on your bathroom installation is by asking if your chosen showroom has any ex-display products. Ex-display products are likely to be significantly reduced in price, and will still be of brand new quality.

Similarly to the previous point, you can also ask if your showroom has any end of line tile batches, as you can usually secure a great discount on products that are soon to be discontinued.

In terms of finding cheaper alternatives to products, I would suggest against this. This is because any product you place in the bathroom needs to be able to withstand constant exposure to moisture, and products that aren't bathroom rated are likely to deteriorate.

If you're on the hunt for cost-friendly brassware, it is extremely important to ensure that your chosen product is WRAS approved. This ensures that the product has been thoroughly tested for dangerous chemicals such as lead, and the water running through your tap/shower is clean and safe.

5. Can you give some examples of the range of different costs you can expect to pay for baths, showers, taps, sinks, furniture, tiles e.g. low to high?

Depending on the brand, design, and quality of material, bathroom products tend to vary drastically in price.

Bath:

For example, a very basic acrylic bath can start at around £200, and as you begin to factor in bespoke elements, premium materials, etc., a top-of-the-range luxurious statement bath (such as a freestanding stone resin bath) can be priced anywhere from £2,000 upwards.

Shower:

For your shower, it depends on whether you're having a concealed or exposed valve. The main difference between concealed and exposed shower valves is that concealed option has been built into the wall, and appears far more neat and modern.

A basic exposed shower can start at around £150, and for a premium exposed valve digital shower, you can expect to pay upwards of £1,000.

Furniture:

Again for bathroom furniture, the price is dependent on whether you're looking for something standard with basic materials, or a bespoke product which allows for far more choice in design.

Standard vanity units can start at around £300, allowing limited choice in colours & materials. As your budget increases, so does the variety of colours and finishes to choose from. Premium vanity units start at around £2,000, and there is no real ceiling on cost, as customers can incorporate an endless range of elaborate features and materials.

Tiles:

When it comes to tiles, generally the larger the tile's format, the more expensive it will be. To use an example, a basic ceramic tile with minimal design will be around the £20 per metre mark.

Moving up in the market, a larger format tile (120 x 120 cm) will start at £60 per metre on average. Your higher end tile is a large format porcelain (240 x 120 cm), which usually starts at £100 per metre.

7. What factors can impact new bathroom costs – e.g. condition of current room if renovating?

I would advise customers to check the condition of their boiler before they begin planning their bathroom renovation, as this can significantly impact the overall cost of a new bathroom. If a boiler is outdated and inefficient, it is worth investing in a new one to ensure it is up to the task.

Another factor that can impact the cost of a new bathroom is if you're planning on relocating anything that needs to be piped in. The most expensive item to relocate is the toilet, as this means moving the waste, which is generally located on an external wall. Structural changes like this are generally time consuming, hence the reason for being expensive.

8. How long does it take on average from order to completion of a new bathroom?

I'd say once you have a date booked in with your bathroom fitter, a new bathroom generally would take 2 weeks to complete. Once ordered, products will usually arrive within a few days, unless you choose something bespoke (which can take a number of weeks, or even months if it's being built).

If you're thinking of updating your bathroom and are looking for professional advice, or wish to explore a wide range of products, head down to Real Tiles & Bathrooms' showroom located on the Stanley Green Estate in Cheadle.

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