Want to know how much a new bathroom costs? Whether you’re creating one in a brand-new home extension, or revamping an existing space, it’s vital to have an idea of how much you’re going to need to spend to create the room you want before you start.
You might be after a super-luxurious spa-style room, planning to add a handy ensuite, or renovating a family bathroom to suit all ages but, whatever you want from your bathroom design, it’s important to know about all the costs that could be part of the final bill before you start. And our guide will give you just that, providing you with the lowdown on the spend required to design or renovate your room.
If you’re looking for inspiration, just head over to our bathroom ideas gallery, and for all the cost info you need, simply scroll down.
Sanitaryware costs vary widely depending. For example, a budget-friendly acrylic bath will cost as little as £80, while a mid-range bath will be £200 to £300. Expect to pay upwards of £1,000 for designer and statement baths, especially if they are made from cast iron, stone or composite materials. See more details on sanitaryware costs below.
We have a specialist guide to help you figure out your bathroom renovation cost, taking into account everything from the price of fittings and fixtures, to the amount you should expect to pay contractors. This is an important aspect of the process of designing a bathroom that shouldn't be skipped – especially if you're sticking to a strict budget.
When it comes to cutting the costs of a new bathroom, the first step is to establish what's a priority, and what isn't. Take time to consider how you use your current bathroom on a daily basis, taking note of what works, and what could work better.
If you only enjoy a soak in the bath once in a blue moon, carefully consider whether you need one at all. Or, if you usually have showers but love to unwind in the bath at the weekend, could combining the two by opting for a spacious shower-bath save on the cost of a separate shower? Remember that family homes need at least one bath for bathing the little ones – something prospective buyers will consider should you sell.
You should avoid reconfiguring your bathroom layout, unless you have to. To cut the cost of a new bathroom, don’t reposition anything that doesn’t really need to be moved as it will add to plumbing costs.
Moving the toilet would involve relocating both the toilet drain/vent and waste water systems, and also supplying water to its new spot. This can prove to be very costly.
Find more tips in our guide to bathroom plumbing.
The next step is to assess the feasibility of your plans, bearing in mind that the cost of a new bathroom will be affected by the location, as will changing an existing bathroom's layout.
Attention to detail when planning your space means you’ll get it right first time, which can save you money correcting mistakes later. Make use of free online planning tools, or work with a company that offers a free design service.
3D plans are a great way to see whether your choice of products will fit. Talk to your plumber or fitter before you buy, too, as they’ll be able to tell you if what you want is suited to your space.
‘Discuss options with your installer and bathroom designer to get an idea of costs,’ says David Smith. ‘Loft conversions for example lend themselves to large, light bathrooms that make a real design statement. To keep costs down, often the best place is directly above your existing bathroom, as this should ensure that you can connect into the existing drainage and water supplies without requiring excessive pipework.’
You might find our tips for solving common plumbing problems a useful read and for a guide to loft conversion costs, we can help too.
You might think that as an ensuite is smaller it will cost less than a normal bathroom, but this isn't always the case. Unless you are adding the ensuite in place of, or near an existing bathroom, connecting to the plumbing could be a cost-adding complication. This is often true of loft conversions where you should budget for additional plumbing work.
That said, if your ensuite is to be a shower room rather than full bathroom, you will not have the expense of the bath. So, you will either save money – or more likely use it as an excuse to splash out on higher-end fittings...
If you want to give the appearance of a larger space, without having to knock walls down, use carefully considered visual tricks to give the illusion of more space. Choosing the right size tiles is one way to do this. ‘Large-format wall tiles in neutral shades can make the room look larger and more luxurious,’ says Sian O’Neill, of Topps Tiles.
‘Using the same tiles on the walls as you do on the floor can also create a seamless look. A well-placed wall-to-wall mirror can give the illusion of more space,’ adds Michael Holmes. ‘But avoid having it somewhere where you need tap and socket holes cut out to keep costs down.’
Find more tips and tricks in our guide to how to choose the best wall tiles.
Check out our guide for more detailed advice on how to add an ensuite bathroom.
‘All of your products and features need to be considered before your installation team quotes for the renovation,’ says David Smith, senior designer at Ripples. ‘Forward planning will allow for accurate pricing and a realistic project schedule of works.’
It's worth acquainting yourself with the basics of bathroom plumbing, too, so that you can make informed decisions.
Use our checklist to think about the features you would like to include.
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