Bathroom renovation

    Full strip-out to snagging list, with the DIY jobs marked

    A standard 2.4 × 1.7 m bathroom takes most people three to four weekends of work plus two trade visits: one for the pipework, one for the consumer-unit side of the electrics. Tiling and decorating are where the money is, and both are firmly DIY-able.

    What it costs

    All in, doing the DIY jobs yourself

    £2,400 – £5,600

    ~128 h · 32/34 you can do this

    All in, everything outsourced

    £5,600 – £12,050

    Indicative ranges for a typical project. Materials are what you would pay at a merchant; labour is what a trade would charge for the same line.

    What the job involves

    Plan & prepare

    • Set the budget and a contingencyBeginner

      £0 – £0

      Materials

    • Get three quotes for the work you outsourceBeginner

      £0 – £0

      Materials

    • Measure up and order materialsEasy

      £0 – £0

      Materials

    • Protect floors and furnitureBeginner

      £15 – £35

      Materials

    • Book a skip or waste collectionBeginner

      £150 – £300

      Materials

    Strip out

    • Rip out the old bathroom suiteIntermediate

      £0 – £25

      Materials · Labour £220 – £430

    • Hack off old wall tilesIntermediate

      £0 – £20

      Materials · Labour £150 – £340

    • Lift the old flooringIntermediate

      £0 – £15

      Materials · Labour £130 – £340

    First fix

    • Move or run pipework (first fix plumbing)ExpertGet a pro

      £130 – £390

      Materials · Labour £390 – £950

    • Run new cabling (first fix electrics)ExpertGet a pro

      £130 – £340

      Materials · Labour £340 – £1,050

    • Lay electric underfloor heatingAdvanced

      £260 – £690

      Materials · Labour £300 – £690

    Plaster & make good

    • Board and skim the wallsAdvanced

      £130 – £340

      Materials · Labour £340 – £770

    Second fix

    • Tile the floorAdvanced

      £220 – £600

      Materials · Labour £390 – £860

    • Tile the wallsAdvanced

      £220 – £690

      Materials · Labour £430 – £1,050

    • Fit a thermostatic shower mixerIntermediate

      £100 – £340

      Materials · Labour £130 – £300

    • Fit a new shower headBeginner

      £15 – £100

      Materials · Labour £45 – £110

    • Fit the shower rail and curtainBeginner

      £20 – £75

      Materials · Labour £50 – £130

    • Fit the bath or shower screenIntermediate

      £130 – £430

      Materials · Labour £100 – £260

    • Fit the toilet and check the flushIntermediate

      £130 – £390

      Materials · Labour £130 – £300

    • Fit the basin and tapIntermediate

      £50 – £220

      Materials · Labour £85 – £190

    • Fit the vanity unitIntermediate

      £150 – £600

      Materials · Labour £150 – £390

    • Fit a heated towel railEasy

      £70 – £260

      Materials · Labour £85 – £220

    • Fit an extractor fanIntermediate

      £35 – £120

      Materials · Labour £100 – £260

    Decorate

    • Paint the ceilingEasy

      £25 – £75

      Materials · Labour £100 – £260

    • Paint doors, frames and skirtingIntermediate

      £35 – £100

      Materials · Labour £170 – £410

    • Hang the bathroom mirrorEasy

      £25 – £170

      Materials · Labour £50 – £130

    Finish & check

    • Fit the toilet seatBeginner

      £15 – £75

      Materials · Labour £40 – £95

    • Silicone the bath, basin and showerEasy

      £15 – £35

      Materials · Labour £70 – £170

    • Regrout the tilingIntermediate

      £15 – £45

      Materials · Labour £130 – £330

    • Clean up and seal the groutBeginner

      £10 – £35

      Materials · Labour £60 – £150

    • Check and clear the shower drainBeginner

      £5 – £20

      Materials · Labour £50 – £130

    • Test alarms and RCDsBeginner

      £0 – £15

      Materials · Labour £45 – £100

    • Walk round and write a snagging listBeginner

      £15 – £70

      Materials · Labour £85 – £260

    • Deep clean and put everything backBeginner

      £15 – £50

      Materials · Labour £100 – £260

    Plan your renovation, job by job

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