Guest Blog Post From Royal Bathrooms

Are you planning for a bathroom renovation in 2024?

Have you calculated the cost involved in a renovation project - especially when it comes to bathroom upgrades?

While the cost of living is skyrocketing, it is important to be smart and understand the cost of a new bathroom before you start working on yours. And while we’re at it, how about a comparison between the cost of a new bathroom in the UK vs. in the US?

Knowing actual renovation costs can prepare you in seeking the right services and buying the right product. And you won’t have to go out of your budget for completing the renovation project while buying different items.

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, selecting the right shower is crucial to achieving both comfort and functionality. When weighing your options, the best thermostatic mixer showers can offer a consistent water temperature, an essential feature for a luxury bathroom experience. Incorporating one of these systems could be a smart choice, especially if you're balancing costs between the UK and US, where plumbing setups and pricing can differ significantly.

In this blog, we’ll discuss every detail related to costs associated with a bathroom renovation in detail, no mater which side of the pond you’re on.

Average Bathroom Renovation Costs

Bathroom renovation is a broader term covering various scenarios such as full renovations, partial upgrades, premium makeovers, or smaller adjustments.

So, what kind of renovation are you planning for your bathroom space?

Before we discuss the various cost factors that can increase or decrease the overall bathroom renovation costs estimation for 2024, here’s a snapshot of each renovation type:

• Minimum Cost: £1,500 UK vs. $1,800 US

• Average Costs: £4500 vs. $5,700.

• Maximum Costs: £7500 vs. $9,400.

• Small Makeover: £2,500 - £4,000 UK vs. $3,000 - $5000

• Mid-Range: £4,000 - £6,000 vs. $5000 – $7,600.

• High-End: £6,000 - £15,000+ vs. $7, 600 - $18,900+

Please note that the estimated costs here don’t include designer fee, council permits, and contingency funds.

New Bathroom Costs in 2024

If you are planning to add a new bathroom then the costs will be entirely different. Since you’ll be installing new items and rendering different services to complete your bathroom project from scratch, it's important that you know the costs involved.

A new bathroom cost involves various elements like:

• Cloakroom/Small Bathroom: £5,000 - £15,000 vs. $7,600 - $18,900.

• Medium to Large Bathrooms: £7,000 - £20,000 vs. $8,800 - $25,000.

• Bathroom Fittings and Fixtures: £750-£3500 (Mid-Range) vs. $940 - $4,400.

• Labour Costs: £1,500-£6,000+ vs. $7, 600 - $18,900+

• Plumbing and Electric Work: £1000-£3000+ vs. $1,250 - $3,800+

• Tiles and Flooring: £500-£3000 vs. $630-$3,800.

You must add £750 to £3500 for additional features like underfloor heating, heated towel rails, shower jets, luxury bathtubs. That’s $940 to $4,400, US.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Breakdown

Now that you’re familiar with the major bathroom renovation costs in the UK, let’s go deep into details.

Bathroom fittings, fixtures and their installation are the major costs involved in a bathroom renovation project.

To offer you a close estimation, let's discuss each cost to achieve your renovation goals:

New Shower Enclosure Cost

Shower enclosures come in various shapes (quadrant, offset, square, rectangular) and size. The actual costs may vary depending on where you buy it.

• Shower Enclosure Costs (Mid-Range): £200-£600 vs. $250-$750.

Installation (£50 P/H) £175-£400 vs. ($60 P/H) $220-$500.

So, keeping in view the labor and enclosure costs, you’ll be spending a total of around £375 to £1000 vs. $470-$1260.

*Walk-in shower enclosures cost a bit more than the standard shower enclosures.

New Toilet Cost

After shower enclosures, let’s discuss one of the essential bathroom fixtures - the toilet!

The cost of a new toilet will depend on the type that you intend to install in your bathroom.

Here’s the toilet cost overview that you should keep in mind while planning for the one for your bathroom.

• Close Coupled Toilets: £150-£350 vs. $190-$440.

Installation £100-£350 vs. $125-$440.

If we combine the total cost of a close coupled toilet and its installation costs, you’ll be spending a total of £250-£700 vs. $315-$880.

In case you’re seeking affordable yet stylish close coupled toilets, check the prices at Royal Bathrooms.

• Back to Wall Toilets: £200-£400 vs. $250-$500.

Installation: £100-£350 vs. $125-$440.

To successfully install a small Back to Wall toilet, you’ll be spending about £300-£750.

• Wall Hung Toilets: £200-£450 vs. $250-$570.

Installation: £150-£400 vs. $190-$500

A wall-hung toilet would cost you around £350-£950 including the installation cost! That’s $440-$1,200 US.

Bathroom Vanity Units Cost

Now comes the other essential bathroom fixture - the vanity units!

Bathroom furniture costs a lot depending on its type, size and quality. Here we have discussed the costs of the most popular mid-range vanity unit types.

• Floor standing Vanity Units: £150-£300 vs. $190-$380.

Installation £50-£150 vs. $60-$190.

By combining the installation cost, you’ll spend around £200-£450! Or, $250-$570.

• Wall Hung Vanity Units: £150-£450 vs. $190-$570.

Installation £100-£200 vs. $125-$250.

A wall hung vanity unit would cost you around 250-650 after including the installation cost. That’s $315-$820, US.

• Combination Vanity Units: £350-£600 vs. $440-$760.

Installation: £100-£250 vs. $125-$315.

If you wish to install a combination vanity unit, the total cost would be around £450-£850. That’s $570-$1,100.

• Double Sink Vanity Units: £350-£650 vs. $440-$820.

Installation: £100-£350 vs. $125-$440.

The double sink vanity unit would cost you about £450-£1000! ($570-$1260).

New Bathtub Cost

Bathtub cost varies depending on its type, size, and material. Here we have discussed the costs of acrylic standard baths and shower baths.

• Standard Baths +Panel £150-£400 vs. $190-$500

Installation: £100-£300 vs. $125-$380.

• Shower Baths + Panels (Standard., L and P-Shaped): £200-£450 vs. $250-$570.

Installation: £100-£350 vs. $125-$440.

• Freestanding Bath: £350-£800 vs. $440-$1,000.

• Installation: £100-£350 vs. $125-$440.

*These costs do not include shower screens and bathtub taps.

8 Bathroom Renovation Cost Factors to Keep in Mind

Every bathroom renovation project depends on careful planning and accurate cost estimates.

To complete your bathroom renovation successfully, you must keep certain factors in mind. Here are these factors that directly influence the overall costs of a new bathroom.

Size & Scope

The first thing that should be in your mind is that the size and scope of your bathroom renovation project will decide how much you will have to spend on it. If it involves moving plumbing or upgrading electric wiring, then it may increase the cost even more.

Think about whether it is going to be a small makeover or a complete upgrade. Generally. The larger the bathroom, the higher the renovation costs will be.

Fixtures & Fittings

The type of bathroom fittings and fixtures you choose is another most important cost factor. The price varies greatly with high-end designer faucets, bathroom furniture, luxurious freestanding baths, top of the line toilets costing from few hundred to thousands of pounds or even more.

On the other hand, there are many affordable options available in the market, allowing you for a budget-friendly bathroom upgrade.

Tiles & Flooring

Tiling and flooring can have varying costs depending on the type of tiles you use.

• Choose ceramic tiles if you have a limited budget.

• Natural stone tiles on the other are suitable for high end bathroom upgrades.

You will need to estimate the overall cost considering the size of the space.

Plumbing & Electrical Work

While you plan for a bathroom renovation, don’t forget to consider plumbing and electrical work.

Relocating the plumbing or electric work may add up to the costs significantly.

Experts recommend not making such changes unless absolutely required.

Labour Costs

Labour is one of the biggest bathroom renovation cost factors!

The cost of hiring bathroom fitters, plumbers, electricians, tilers, and carpenters varies depending on your location in the UK and the experience of the person you are hiring. We recommend getting multiple quotes to get a fair price.

Design & Planning

Involving a professional designer or architect at any stage would significantly add to the cost.

For someone with limited budget we recommend exploring the different bathroom ideas or discuss the one with a designer and execute them as DIY.

Permits & Regulations

It is important to comply with local building rules and regulations in the UK. In some cases, you will need to obtain a permit from the council/borough. The costs involved may vary based on your location in the UK and the type of renovation project. In the US, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with your city building code requirements or county/town ordinances regarding building permits and regulations.

Contingency Fund

And one last bathroom renovation cost factor that you need to consider is the contingency fund.

Your actual bathroom renovation costs may be 10-15% higher than the initial budget you’ll plan. Therefore, always keep contingency funds available for unexpected expenses so you can complete your bathroom renovation in a successful manner.

Final Thoughts

You’re all set to initiate the bathroom renovation project!

And we hope that these new bathroom renovation cost estimates will help you plan everything like a pro.

We suggest careful planning before starting a bathroom renovation. It will be a good idea to discuss cost elements with a professional to set the right budget.

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The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of Michael Helwig Interiors or its Principal, Michael Helwig. Michael Helwig Interiors, and Michael Helwig, do not have any affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their articles or bios.