Putting in a new bathroom is top of many homeowner’s project lists. A lovely new bathroom can add value to your home, and can make it an altogether more pleasant place to live. If it’s the sort of project you’re planning in the near future, we’ve put together a simple guide to the costs you could expect.
Buying a New Bathroom Suite
The sky’s really the limit when it comes to choosing a new bathroom suite. You can easily go out and buy designer baths for upwards of £10k, or a shower cabinet with added extras like Bluetooth speakers and remote control. However, if you’re working to a budget like most people, you don’t have to pay a fortune to get a decent bathroom suite. For around £300, you can pick up a basic suite of toilet, sink and bath from any of the large online or high street retailers. Getting a pack of items is always cheaper than buying individual units. If you want to go a bit more upmarket with vanity units and freestanding baths, you’re going to have to spend more. If you budget around £1000 for your new bathroom suite that should be plenty to give you everything you need, including taps and even a basic mixer shower and bath screen. Try to choose a suite which is contemporary but not too fashionable – that ensures it won’t date too quickly and need replaced.
Installation Costs for a New Bathroom
The other cost which is inevitable with a new bathroom installation is the cost of getting it fitted. Unless you’re a trained plumber, this probably isn’t a task which you can take on yourself. Again, labour costs will vary depending on the size of your bathroom. The average costs for fitting a new bathroom suite are around £1,500. This covers the plumbing work only. Never agree to the first quote you get when considering any type of bathroom project. It’s always wise to get at least three quotes for having the work done, and see which plumber offers the best value. Reliable plumbers can often get booked up months in advance so don’t leave it until the last minute to look for someone to do the work.
Factors Affecting Bathroom Costs
As every bathroom project is different, there are hundreds of variables which can affect the price you pay for your new bathroom. The main variable is additional plumbing costs. If you’re reconfiguring your bathroom and changing the layout, that’s going to mean new pipes and extra time for your plumber. Other jobs in the bathroom are also going to cost more, so if you are planning to retile the walls or put a new floor down, you’ll need to set more cash aside. On the other hand, there are things you could do yourself to reduce the cost of the project. Shop around for discontinued or ex-display items at a reduced price, or tackle jobs like removing tiles from the wall yourself.
