Bathroom Refurbishment Cost Guide 2024

A bathroom refurbishment is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to a property. In both rental and owner-occupied homes, a modern, clean, well-designed bathroom significantly increases value and appeal. But costs can vary enormously depending on the scope, specification, and quality of materials. This guide gives you realistic cost expectations for the Dartford, Kent, and South East London area in 2024.

Overview: Budget Tiers

Before diving into specifics, it helps to think in tiers:

Budget refurbishment (£2,500 – £5,000): Essential updates only — new suite, retiling splash areas, new flooring, redecoration. Suitable for rental properties where functionality and cleanliness matter more than luxury.

Mid-range refurbishment (£5,000 – £10,000): Full suite replacement, full retiling, quality fixtures and fittings, thermostatically controlled shower, proper waterproofing. Suitable for rental property at the higher end or primary residences.

Premium refurbishment (£10,000 – £20,000+): High-end suite, bespoke tiling, underfloor heating, large format tiles, wet room, luxury shower enclosure, heated towel rails, custom vanity furniture. For properties where quality is the priority.

Breaking Down the Costs

Labour Costs

Labour typically represents 40-60% of the total project cost. A bathroom refurbishment in South East London and Kent involves:

•**Plumber:** To disconnect and reconnect the suite, install the new bath/shower/toilet/basin and all associated pipework. A full suite installation typically takes 2-3 days: £600-1,200.
•**Tiler:** To remove old tiles, prepare walls, and apply new tiles. Cost depends heavily on tile size, pattern complexity, and surface area: £400-1,200.
•**Electrician:** For any changes to lighting, adding extractor fan, or fitting heated towel rail. A few hours to half a day: £150-400.
•**Plasterer/specialist prep:** If walls need repairs or base coat before tiling: £200-500.
•**Decorator:** For painting non-tiled areas and ceiling: £150-300.

Bathroom Suite Costs

The suite is the centrepiece of any bathroom refurbishment. Prices vary significantly:

•**Budget suite (toilet, basin, bath):** £250-600 (brands like Ideal Standard Concept or similar)
•**Mid-range suite:** £600-1,500 (better quality ceramics, more design options)
•**Premium suite:** £1,500-5,000+ (designer brands such as Roca, VitrA, or bespoke)

Shower and Enclosure

•**Electric shower unit:** £150-400 (plus fitting)
•**Thermostatic shower system (mixer):** £300-800 (plus fitting)
•**Walk-in shower tray and enclosure:** £400-1,500 depending on size and glass quality
•**Wet room waterproofing and former:** £300-800 (specialist wet room installation is more expensive but highly desirable)

Tiling Costs

Tiles are where the budget can quickly escalate:

•**Budget tiles:** £10-25 per m² — practical, clean, widely available
•**Mid-range tiles:** £25-60 per m²
•**Premium/large format tiles:** £60-200+ per m²

A typical bathroom floor (4-6m²) and wall area (12-20m²) means materials alone can range from £400 to £4,000+ depending on specification. Add approximately 10% wastage to tile quantities.

Additional Features That Add Value

•**Underfloor heating:** Electric mat systems: £500-1,200 installed. Wet system (connected to boiler): £1,500-3,000.
•**Heated towel rail:** £150-600 supplied and fitted
•**Extractor fan with timer and humidity sensor:** £100-300 installed
•**Vanity unit and mirror:** £200-800
•**Quality taps:** £100-500 per set (basin mixer, bath filler, shower controls)

What to Watch Out For

Hidden Costs

The biggest unpredictable cost in bathroom refurbishment is what is found behind the tiles or under the floorboards. Common discoveries include:

•**Wet rot in floor joists** (common around older baths and toilets): £200-1,000 to repair
•**Deteriorated substrate** requiring full cement board installation before tiling: £200-600
•**Old lead pipework** requiring replacement: £300-800
•**Inadequate soil pipe** size or routing: £200-500 to resolve
•**Inadequate ventilation** requiring additional structural work to create a duct

Always allow a 10-15% contingency budget for these eventualities.

Ventilation

Inadequate ventilation is the single biggest cause of post-refurbishment damp and mould in bathrooms. A proper extractor fan — rated at a minimum of 15 litres per second extraction — connected to an external duct (not just to a cavity wall) is non-negotiable. This is also a building regulation requirement in most bathroom scenarios.

Getting the Best Value

Timing: January-March tends to be quieter for trades, which can mean better availability and occasionally better pricing.

Specification: The biggest cost levers are tiles and sanitary ware. Mid-range tiles look almost as good as premium tiles for a fraction of the price and are far more practical in a rental setting.

Phasing: In rental properties, a bathroom needs to be out of service as short a time as possible. Good planning with a professional company that coordinates all trades can complete a full bathroom refurbishment in as little as 5-7 working days.

Don't DIY waterproofing: Tanking a wet room or shower enclosure requires proper materials and technique. A failed waterproof layer causes significant structural damage and mould issues that cost far more to fix than the original saving.

Our Recommendation for Landlords

For rental properties in the Dartford and South East London market, a budget of £4,000-7,000 typically delivers an excellent result: full new suite, full retiling, quality flooring, and updated fixtures. This level of investment is recoverable through rental premium within 12-24 months in most markets.

Premier Property Solutions offers full bathroom refurbishment services across Kent and South East London. We manage every trade under one roof — plumber, tiler, electrician, decorator — with a project manager overseeing the whole job. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote on 01322 251520.