What a bathroom renovation costs
Indicative ranges including labour and mid-range fittings. Premium tiles and brassware push costs higher.
Labour vs materials
Labour (~50–60%)
Plumbing, tiling, electrics, plastering and fitting are the bulk of the cost. A full refit pulls in several trades over 1–2 weeks.
Fittings & tiles (~30–40%)
Suite, shower, screen, brassware and tiles. This is where your choices swing the budget most — from budget to luxury.
The unexpected (~10%)
Older homes often hide surprises behind the tiles. A contingency keeps a small problem from becoming a budget blow-out.
What pushes the price up or down
Moving plumbing is the big one. Keep the toilet, basin and shower roughly where they are and you save significantly. Relocate them and you add pipework, labour and time.
Tiling area and tile choice matter — floor-to-ceiling tiling looks great but costs more in both materials and labour than a half-height tile. Large-format and natural stone tiles are slower to lay than standard ceramic.
Finally, the suite and brassware. The same layout can cost €6,000 or €16,000 depending entirely on the fittings you choose.
Ways to keep costs down
- Keep the existing layout so plumbing doesn't move
- Tile to half-height in lower-traffic areas
- Choose a quality mid-range suite over premium brands
- Get three itemised quotes and compare what's included
- Buy fittings yourself if your fitter is happy to install supplied items
- Schedule outside peak periods if your trade offers better availability
Prices are indicative
Every bathroom is different. Use these ranges to budget, then post your job for accurate, itemised quotes from verified fitters.