How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Northamptonshire?
What Drives the Cost of a Bathroom Renovation?
Before getting into numbers, it's worth understanding the main cost drivers:
1. Strip-out and preparation
Removing the old suite, tanking the walls and floors, and making good the plumbing and electrics is often the most labour-intensive part. Expect to pay for full-day labour rates even before anything new goes in.
2. Plumbing changes
Moving a toilet, repositioning a shower tray, or rerouting pipework adds significant cost. If your new layout matches the old one closely, you'll save money here.
3. Fixtures and fittings
A mid-range to high-end bathroom suite (bath, WC, basin, shower enclosure) from a reputable supplier costs £2,000 to £6,000+. Budget suites can be had for less, but the quality difference shows within a few years.
4. Tiling
Tiling is skilled, time-consuming work. A standard bathroom might take 2 to 3 days of tiling labour alone. The tile format, pattern, and surface area all affect the overall cost.
5. Finishing works
Plasterboarding, painting, fitting accessories, mirrors and lighting are often undercosted. Build in a proper contingency.
Bathroom Renovation Cost by Type
Standard Full Bathroom Refit: £8,000 to £12,000
This covers a like-for-like replacement: same layout, new suite, full retile, new shower enclosure, replumbed and refitted. Typical timeline is 2 to 3 weeks.
What's included:
- Full strip-out and disposal
- New bath, WC, basin and taps
- Shower enclosure or shower over bath
- Full wall and floor tiling (mid-range tiles)
- New radiator or towel rail
- Plumbing and electrical first fix and second fix
Wet Room: £10,000 to £14,000+ (size dependent)
Wet rooms require full tanking of walls and floors, a correctly graded screed bed, and a linear or centre drain. Done properly, they're virtually leak-proof and look outstanding. Done cheaply, they're a nightmare.
Key cost items:
- Full floor-to-ceiling tanking system
- Screeded floor with fall to drain
- Linear drain unit
- Frameless glass screen
- Wall-to-wall tiling
Luxury Bathroom Refit: £12,000 to £16,000+
At this level, you're looking at:
- Freestanding bath (add £600 to £2,500 for the bath alone)
- Underfloor heating (electric mat: £400 to £800 installed; wet system: £1,200 to £2,500)
- Large-format porcelain or natural stone tiles
- Bespoke vanity units
- Mood lighting and heated mirrors
- Designer tap sets
Labour vs Materials: The Split
As a rough guide, expect labour to account for 40 to 55% of the total cost of a bathroom renovation in Northamptonshire. On a £6,000 refit, that's £2,400 to £3,300 in labour.
Tradespeople rates in Northamptonshire (2026):
- Plumber: £35 to £55 per hour
- Tiler: £30 to £50 per hour
- Electrician (Part P): £45 to £65 per hour
- Plasterer: £30 to £45 per hour
A full refit typically requires all four, often overlapping across a 10 to 15 day project.
Costs That Catch People Out
Waterproofing: Many quotes don't specify whether tanking is included. If the waterproofing fails, water tracks into the floor joists and you've got a structural problem. Always confirm this is in the quote.
Waste disposal: Skips, trade waste bags and disposal fees add £150 to £400 to any full refit.
Unexpected electrics: Older properties often need the bathroom circuit upgrading to comply with current Part P regulations. Budget £300 to £600 for rewiring if your property is more than 20 years old.
Wall prep: If old tiles have been directly bonded to plasterboard, removing them often takes the board with them. Reboardng a bathroom adds a day's work and £200 to £400 in materials.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The only way to get a reliable price is an on-site survey. Any tradesperson who quotes a fixed price without seeing the room is either guessing or padding heavily.
At Ready For Refurb, we survey on-site, provide a fully itemised fixed-price quote, and don't ask for final payment until you've signed off the job. No hidden extras.
The 3 questions to ask any bathroom fitter before hiring:
1. Is the quote fixed-price or subject to change?
2. Is waterproofing/tanking included?
3. Who carries out the work: your own team or subcontractors?
Ready to Get a Price?
We cover Towcester, Northampton, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. Surveys are free with no obligation.
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