How to Price a Bathroom Refit: A Tradesman's Guide

Bathroom refits are one of the most profitable jobs for tradesmen — but they're also one of the hardest to price. Get it wrong and you'll either lose the job or lose money. This guide walks you through how to price a bathroom refit properly.

Typical Bathroom Refit Costs in 2026

Before you start pricing, it helps to know the ballpark. Here are typical UK costs for a full bathroom refit:

Job	Budget	Mid-Range	High-End
Full bathroom refit	£3,000-£5,000	£5,000-£8,000	£8,000-£15,000+
Labour only	£1,500-£2,500	£2,500-£4,000	£4,000-£6,000
Duration	5-7 days	7-10 days	10-14 days

Step 1: Do a Thorough Site Visit

Never price a bathroom refit from photos alone. You need to visit the property and check:

• Current layout — Is the customer keeping the same layout or moving things around?
• Condition of existing plumbing — Old lead pipes? Corroded fittings?
• Floor and walls — Is there water damage? Will you need to re-board?
• Access — Can you get a bath up the stairs? Narrow doorways?
• Electrics — Does the customer want new lighting, heated towel rail, extractor fan?
• Tiling — Full height or half height? Floor tiles included?

Step 2: Break Down Every Task

A bathroom refit involves multiple trades and tasks. List every single one:

1. Strip out — Remove old suite, tiles, flooring
2. Plumbing first fix — Move or install new pipework
3. Electrical first fix — Lighting, fan, towel rail wiring
4. Boarding — Moisture-resistant plasterboard if needed
5. Plastering — Skim coat walls
6. Floor preparation — Level and waterproof
7. Tiling — Walls and floor
8. Plumbing second fix — Install bath, toilet, basin, shower
9. Electrical second fix — Connect lights, fan, towel rail
10. Sealant and finishing — Silicone, trim, accessories
11. Waste removal — Skip or tip runs

Step 3: Calculate Your Labour Costs

Work out how many days each task will take and multiply by your day rate. For example:

• Strip out: 1 day — £350
• Plumbing (first & second fix): 2 days — £700
• Electrics: 1 day — £350
• Boarding & prep: 1 day — £350
• Tiling: 2 days — £700
• Finishing: 0.5 days — £175
• Total labour: 7.5 days — £2,625

Step 4: Price Your Materials

If you're supplying materials, list everything separately:

• Bathroom suite (bath, toilet, basin) — £400-£2,000+
• Shower/mixer taps — £100-£500
• Tiles (walls & floor) — £200-£800
• Tile adhesive, grout, silicone — £60-£100
• Plasterboard, skim coat — £80-£150
• Pipework, fittings, waste — £50-£120
• Extractor fan — £30-£80
• Towel rail — £50-£200

Step 5: Add Contingency

Bathrooms always have surprises — rotten joists, hidden leaks, dodgy plumbing. Add 10-15% contingency to your quote and explain it to the customer. Most people appreciate the honesty.

Alternatively, you can state: "Any additional work discovered during the refit will be discussed and agreed before proceeding, charged at £X per day."

Step 6: Present It Professionally

Your quote should be:

• Itemised — Labour and materials listed separately
• Clear about what's included — and what isn't (decoration, flooring outside bathroom, etc.)
• Professional looking — PDF or digital document, not a text message
• Sent quickly — within 24-48 hours of the site visit

Common Mistakes When Pricing Bathrooms

• Underestimating time — Bathrooms always take longer than you think. Add buffer days
• Forgetting waste removal — Old suites, tiles, and rubble need to go somewhere
• Not specifying tile layout — "Tiling included" could mean anything. State exactly what you're tiling
• Absorbing material price increases — Set a 30-day validity on your quote
• Not asking about the customer's budget — A quick chat about budget expectations saves everyone time