The quick answer
Bathroom fitter (Brighton & Hove, labour focus)
~£3,000–£7,500
Typical install ranges vary by scope and finishes.
Bathroom supply & fit (Brighton & Hove)
~£3,650–£9,000
All-in range depends heavily on product spec.
Wet room installation (Brighton & Hove)
~£4,850–£11,450
Waterproofing and drainage add complexity.
These are guide ranges for 2026. Your final price is driven by plumbing/electrical changes, tile area, waterproofing requirements, access/parking, and fixture choices.
What’s included in “bathroom fitting” (and what’s often extra)
“Bathroom fitting” can mean anything from a straightforward like-for-like swap to a full strip-out and rebuild with new pipe runs, electrics, tiling, and waterproofing. Always confirm exactly what the fitter’s estimate includes.
Often included in an install estimate
- Basic strip-out of old suite (sometimes excludes disposal)
- Installing bath/shower, toilet, basin/vanity (scope dependent)
- Connecting hot/cold feeds and wastes (where feasible)
- Silicone sealing, minor snagging, basic making-good
Ask for an “included/excluded” scope list so you can compare estimates properly.
Common extras that change the budget fast
- Full tiling (walls/floor), tile prep, levelling
- Electrical works (extractor fan, lighting, shaver socket, circuits)
- Plumbing changes (moving toilet/basin/shower, new pipe runs)
- Waterproofing/tanking (especially for wet rooms)
- Plastering, decorating, carpentry, boxing-in
- Waste removal, skips, parking permits
Older Brighton & Hove properties can need more “making-good” than expected.
Typical bathroom costs in Brighton & Hove (by project type)
Use the table below to sense-check an estimate. The more you change the layout, the more trades are involved — and the more the price can rise.
National benchmarks for a full bathroom renovation (including materials) often sit around the mid-thousands, with high-end/complex bathrooms rising well into five figures depending on specification and duration.
Labour rates in Brighton & Hove (what you’re paying for)
Bathroom work is labour-heavy and detail-driven: waterproofing, tile layout, falls to drains, neat silicone lines, and reliable service connections. In Brighton & Hove, access, parking, and property age can all increase time-on-site.
Typical local labour signals (sanity-check)
- Bathroom fitter: often priced as a fixed estimate; hourly rates can exist for small works and snagging.
- Plumber (Brighton typical): often quoted per job or day; hourly can vary with complexity.
- Electrician: varies by whether new circuits are required and how accessible cable routes are.
Tip: The best estimates clearly separate labour, materials, and allowances (e.g., “tiles to a £/m² allowance”).
How long does a bathroom fit take?
- Like-for-like refresh: typically 5–8 working days (depending on tiling and drying times).
- Standard refit with full tiling: typically 8–12+ working days.
- Wet room / complex work: typically 10–15+ working days (waterproofing and detailing add time).
Example budgets (3 realistic scenarios)
These examples are designed to help you understand what moves the price. Actual costs depend on the suite you choose, tile area, whether you’re moving services, and the condition of walls/floors underneath.
1) Budget refresh (keep layout)
Typical total: ~£3,000–£5,500
- Like-for-like suite swap where possible
- Partial tiling or splash zones
- Minimal plumbing/electrical changes
Best for: quick modernisation, rentals, limited disruption.
2) Standard refit (most common)
Typical total: ~£5,500–£9,500
- Full strip-out and new suite
- Full wall tiling and/or floor tiling
- New lighting/fan, minor service moves
Best for: owner-occupiers upgrading finish and usability.
3) Premium / wet room
Typical total: ~£9,500–£15,000+
- Tanking/waterproofing and careful drainage falls
- More complex tiling and high-end fixtures
- Potential layout changes and extra electrics
Best for: long-term “forever bathroom” upgrades.
What makes bathroom fitting expensive?
- Moving plumbing: relocating a toilet, shower, or waste can add major labour and materials.
- Tiling area: more square metres = more prep, adhesive/grout, cutting, and time.
- Waterproofing: tanking systems and wet-room detailing are essential and time-consuming.
- Electrics: safe bathroom electrics (zones, fans, lighting) can change scope quickly.
- Substrate condition: rotten floors, damaged plaster, old leaks, or uneven surfaces add “making-good”.
- Access & parking: flats, tight staircases, and permits can increase labour time in Brighton & Hove.
Hidden costs to watch for
Hidden costs aren’t usually “extras for the sake of it” — they’re items that weren’t specified at estimate stage. Put these on your checklist:
- Waste removal: skip hire, loading, disposal fees.
- Making-good: patch plastering, painting, boxing-in, subfloor repairs.
- Valve/pipe upgrades: recommended when old pipework is accessible during a refit.
- Tile allowances: “£/m² tile allowance” vs the tiles you actually choose.
- Specialist items: niche drains, concealed cisterns, custom screens, vanity tops.
- Drying times: adhesives, levellers, waterproofing and grout can affect programme length.
How to get accurate estimates (and avoid budget blowouts)
What to include in your estimate request
- Room size, photos, and a simple sketch of the current layout
- What’s staying the same vs moving (toilet, basin, bath/shower)
- Tile plan: full height or half height, floor tiling, feature walls
- Fixture list: taps, shower valve type, enclosure/screen, vanity, towel radiator
- Electrics: fan, lighting changes, shaver socket, underfloor heating (if wanted)
- Any known issues: previous leaks, soft floors, mould, poor ventilation
Questions to ask installers
- Is waterproofing/tanking included? Where exactly?
- What prep/making-good is included (walls, floors, levelling)?
- Are tile adhesive, grout, trims, and silicone included?
- What’s excluded or treated as a “provisional sum”?
- Is waste removal included? If not, what are the options?
- What’s the expected duration and work sequence?
Pro tip: Ask for each estimate to include a simple “included / excluded” scope list plus allowances (e.g., tiles, suite, vanity) so you can compare properly.
How to save money without cutting corners
- Keep the layout if possible — moving a toilet/shower is where costs jump.
- Be clear on tiling — full height looks great but increases labour and materials.
- Choose fixtures early — concealed valves/cisterns often need specific prep and access panels.
- Don’t skip waterproofing — cutting corners here is the costliest mistake later.
- Compare like-for-like — the lowest estimate is often missing prep, tanking, or waste removal.
Bathroom fitting FAQs
How long does a bathroom refit take?
A like-for-like refresh is often around 5–8 working days. Full tiling, drying times, and layout changes commonly push this to 8–12+ days. Wet rooms can take longer due to waterproofing and drainage details.
Can I supply my own bathroom suite and tiles?
Yes. Just make sure the estimate confirms what’s included (fixings, adhesives, trims, waterproofing, and whether the installer is responsible for compatibility and missing parts).
Why are wet rooms more expensive?
Wet rooms require robust waterproofing (tanking), correct falls to the drain, careful detailing, and often more labour-intensive tiling — all of which increases time and materials.
What’s the best way to avoid surprise costs?
Provide photos and a clear list of what’s changing, confirm waterproofing scope, and ask for allowances and exclusions in writing (especially tiles, suite, waste removal, and making-good).
Planning a bathroom refit in Brighton & Hove?
Get an estimate you can trust by sharing photos, the current layout, what you want to change, and your fixture/tile choices. The clearer the scope, the more accurate the price.
Request a free estimateTip: Ask for an “included/excluded” list so you can compare estimates properly.
Note: This guide provides typical ranges for 2026 and is not a substitute for a site survey and written estimate. Prices vary by access, specification, and the condition of walls/floors/services.