The quick answer
A simpler refresh can cost less. Before you accept any price, check what’s included, what’s excluded, and how unexpected work will be approved and charged.
Guide prices from Checkatrade, updated March 2026. These are nationwide averages, not a valuation of your bathroom.
Why one bathroom quote can be thousands more than another
You’ve asked three bathroom fitters to price the same room. One comes back at £5,800. Another says £7,200. The third wants £9,400.
It’s tempting to treat that as three prices for the same job. Look closer, though. One fitter may be supplying the suite; another may expect you to buy it. One includes preparing the walls, waterproofing the shower area and taking all the rubbish away. Another has written simply “fit bathroom and tile”.
A cheaper quote isn’t a problem. A cheaper quote you can’t properly understand might be.
Before you start negotiating, make sure the quotations describe the same work.
£5,800 or £7,200: which quote is better?
Here’s a made-up example of two quotations for the same bathroom. It isn’t based on a real customer, but these are exactly the differences worth checking. Switch on the toggle to see what still needs an answer.
£1,400 apart. Same job?
Old suite out, new suite in
Ask Quote AWhich fittings are included, who supplies them, and is disposal of the old suite included?
Wall and floor tiling
Ask Quote AWhich walls are tiled, to what height, and is preparation of the walls included?
Shower waterproofing
Ask Quote AHow will the shower area be waterproofed, and are materials and labour included?
Electrics and ventilation
Ask Quote AWho will do the electrical work, and will you receive a compliance certificate?
Waste disposal
Ask Quote AAre skip hire, waste collection and the final clear-up included?
Important: “Not stated” doesn’t mean “excluded”. The fitter may simply need to confirm it in writing.
Quote B may turn out to be better value. Or Quote A may include everything and simply be less detailed. You won’t know until you ask. That’s the point of comparing the paperwork, not just the totals.
What’s behind the tiles
Most of the cost differences between quotes sit in work you never see once the bathroom is finished. Here’s what typically goes into a tiled shower wall, and the question to ask about each layer.
- Tiles and groutThe finish you see.Ask: who supplies the tiles, and what is the allowance?
- Adhesive and trimsHolds the tiles and finishes the edges.Ask: are adhesive, grout and trims included?
- Waterproofing (tanking)Stops water reaching the wall behind.Ask: which system, and over which areas?
- Backer board or wall repairA sound, flat surface for the tiles.Ask: what happens if the old wall is damaged?
- Pipework and wiringMoved or extended for the new layout.Ask: is moving pipes or adding circuits priced?
Five things to check before work starts
What’s behind the existing tiles?
If the walls are damaged when the old tiles come off, will making them good cost extra? Ask what preparation is included and what happens if unexpected damage is found.
Is shower waterproofing actually included?
“Tiling” doesn’t necessarily cover the waterproofing underneath. Ask how the shower area will be waterproofed and whether the materials and labour are included.
Are you moving the toilet, bath or basin?
Changing the layout usually means more plumbing and drainage work. Check that the quote reflects the layout you’ve agreed, not a like-for-like replacement.
Who is handling the electrics and ventilation?
Lighting, an extractor fan, an illuminated mirror or electric underfloor heating may need a qualified electrician. In England, changes to circuits in a bathroom are usually notifiable under the Building Regulations, so ask who will do the work and whether you’ll get a compliance certificate.
Who takes the old bathroom away?
Removal isn’t always the same as disposal. Check whether skip hire, waste collection and the final clear-up are included.
Quote or estimate? It matters.
Citizens Advice recommends getting written quotes from at least three traders. A good quote shows a fixed total price, a breakdown of the work and materials, whether VAT is included, how long the price is valid, and when the price can go up. Read Citizens Advice on getting quotes.
One useful question to ask every fitter: “Which parts of this price are fixed, and what could cause an extra charge?” Get the answer in writing before you agree.
Before you say yes, tick these off
0 of 6 checked
If a quote is vague, you don’t need to accuse the fitter of anything. Ask them to make it more specific. A clear answer now is far easier than a disagreement halfway through the job.
Questions homeowners often ask
Is £10,000 too much for a bathroom renovation?
Not necessarily. A larger room, a new layout, premium fittings or a lot of tiling can push the price up. Rather than judging the total on its own, compare the scope, specification and exclusions against other written quotes.
Should I get three bathroom quotes?
It’s a sensible starting point, and it’s what Citizens Advice recommends. Just make sure each fitter is pricing the same work before you decide which offers better value.
What does “not stated” in a quote mean?
It means the quote doesn’t say whether that item is included. It may be included, or it may not. Ask the fitter to confirm it in writing before you agree.
The bottom line
Don’t choose a bathroom fitter on price alone, and don’t assume the most detailed quote must be the best one. Choose the fitter whose work, price, responsibilities and terms you actually understand.
The right time to clear up a vague quote is before the old bathroom comes out.
Sources and further reading
- Checkatrade: How much does a new bathroom cost? (updated March 2026)
- Checkatrade: Bathroom remodel costs (updated May 2026)
- Citizens Advice: Before you get work done on your home (England)
- Hammersmith & Fulham Building Control: Home electrical safety
Editorial note: the £5,800 and £7,200 quotes are illustrative, not real customer submissions. The photograph and the wall illustration are illustrative. Costs are general guidance, not a personalised estimate. Building and electrical rules differ between UK nations and depend on the work.
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