Bathroom renovation: costs, steps and real budgets by scope of work
The bathroom is the most expensive room per square metre in any home — within 4 to 6 m², you have demolition, plumbing, electrics, tanking, tiling and sanitaryware all coming together. In 2026, a bathroom renovation starts at €1,500 for a simple refresh of fixtures, through to €4,000–€7,000 for a standard refurb, up to €7,000–€12,000 for a full back-to-brick overhaul with new pipework and a walk-in wet room. In this article, you will find a breakdown of costs by scope of work, a step-by-step guide and the common mistakes that drive budgets up.
Key facts about bathroom renovations in 2026
A cosmetic refresh (new sanitaryware and brassware without demolition) costs €1,500 to €3,000, a standard renovation with new tiles costs €4,000 to €7,000 and a full overhaul with new plumbing runs costs €7,000 to €12,000 including mid-range materials. Work typically takes 3 to 4 weeks and you should allow a 20% contingency budget.
What makes up the cost of a bathroom renovation?
The price of a bathroom consists of six interconnected trades — and it is the coordination between them that determines both the quality of the finish and the final budget.
Demolition and strip-out (€300 to €700) includes hacking off old wall and floor tiles, removing old fixtures and waste disposal. Plumbing first and second fix (€700 to €1,500 for labour) — new pipework, shower gulleys, concealed valves and fitting sanitaryware; for a full breakdown, see our guide on plumbing costs for flats. Electrical work (€300 to €600) — bathroom circuits with RCD protection, extractor fans, lighting and dedicated circuits for appliances based on zones, which we cover in our article on bathroom electrics and safety zones.
Tanking and surface prep (€200 to €400) — two-coat waterproof tanking around the bath and shower enclosure with sealing tapes, and floor levelling for walk-in shower falls. Tiling (€1,500 to €3,500 depending on tile size and area) is the largest labour item — details can be found under tiling services. Sanitaryware and materials (€1,000 to €4,000) — WC, basin, taps, shower or bath, mirrors and furniture chosen by the client.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost by scope?
Cosmetic refresh (no demolition)
Replacing the toilet, basin, taps, mirror and furniture while keeping existing tiles and plumbing in place. Cost: €1,500 to €3,000 including materials; work takes 2 to 3 days. Best for bathrooms less than 15 years old with sound plumbing.
Standard renovation with new tiling
Stripping out tiles, new tanking, new wall and floor tiles, new sanitaryware — water and waste pipes stay in their original positions, or only visible sections are replaced. Cost: €4,000 to €7,000; work takes 2 to 3 weeks. The most common choice for homes from the 90s onwards.
Full overhaul with new plumbing
All of the above plus new water and waste runs, repositioning fixtures, wall-hung toilets, converting a bath to a walk-in shower and new electrics. Cost: €7,000 to €12,000; work takes 3 to 4 weeks. Essential for older properties or when changing the layout — this often qualifies as a full bathroom unit renovation including main stacks.
In the context of a total construction price list, the bathroom accounts for 25% to 40% of a full flat renovation budget. Regional differences are significant — labour rates in major cities can be 20% to 35% higher than in smaller towns.
Step-by-step: the bathroom renovation process
Week 1 — Demolition and first fix. Stripping tiles and removing old fixtures (1-2 days), installing new water, waste and electrical runs (2-3 days), pressure testing and making good the walls. Once the walls are closed up, the fixture positions are set.
Week 2 — Preparation and tanking. Levelling walls, floor screeding with falls to the drain, and two coats of waterproofing (tanking) with a 24-hour drying interval between them.
Week 3 — Tiling. Setting tiles (4-6 days depending on format), grouting and silicone sealing the corners. Week 4 — Second fix and fit-out. Fitting the sanitaryware, taps, glass screens, mirrors, lights and extractor fan. Sanitaryware is never installed before tiling is complete.
Bath or shower?
A walk-in shower with a floor gulley is now the choice for two-thirds of renovations — it saves space, offers level access and uses less water. However, it is more technical to install: the drain needs 9 to 12 cm of floor depth for the fall, and concealed valves (like iBox) must be chased in before tiling. We’ve summarised everything you need to know in our article on shower renovations.
A bath is cheaper to install and essential for families with small children. Including both in bathrooms over 6 m² adds €800 to €1,500 to the budget.
Mistakes to avoid during a bathroom renovation
The most expensive mistake is poor tanking — applying only one coat, skipping corner tapes, or omitting it entirely. Tiles and grout are not waterproof; water will seep through and eventually cause mould or leaks into the room below. The only fix is to rip out the entire floor.
The second mistake is changing fixture positions after first fix. Every time you move a basin or toilet after the pipework is tested, it requires new chasing and repairs to the waterproofing — costing €200 to €500 extra. Confirm the layout on-site before any chasing begins.
The third mistake is inadequate ventilation — a bathroom without a window needs a powerful extractor fan with a timer or humidistat, otherwise mould will grow despite perfect tanking. The fourth mistake is missing access panels for valves and stacks — in the event of a leak, you’ll have to smash through the tiling. Common plumbing errors are detailed in our article on plumbing mistakes in bathroom renos.
Real-world example: full 5 m² bathroom renovation
A bathroom in a 1970s block, converting from a bath to a walk-in shower, new pipework, and a wall-hung toilet. Demolition and waste disposal €520, plumbing including drain, iBox and concealed frame €1,380, electrics with fan and lighting €480, tanking and floor levelling €340, 60×60 cm tiling for 22 m² €2,150, mid-range sanitaryware and taps €1,890, glass screen, mirror and accessories €640.
Total €7,400 inc. VAT, work took 3 weeks and 2 days. The client’s original budget was €6,500 — the 14% overage was caused by replacing a corroded waste pipe found under the old bath and choosing a higher-quality 8 mm glass screen instead of the planned 6 mm version.
How to approach your renovation correctly?
A bathroom is renovated once every 20 to 25 years — so it pays to invest in what you can’t see: the pipework, the tanking and the concealed systems. Insist on a pressure test certificate, two coats of tanking, and keep a 20% contingency — in older properties, you will almost certainly need it.
FAQ - Common bathroom renovation questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in 2026?
A cosmetic refresh costs €1,500 to €3,000, a standard renovation with new tiles €4,000 to €7,000, and a full overhaul with new plumbing €7,000 to €12,000 including mid-range materials.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard project takes 2 to 3 weeks, while a full overhaul with new plumbing takes 3 to 4 weeks, including necessary drying times for tanking and adhesives.
Is a shower better than a bath?
For small bathrooms and accessibility, yes, but it is €300 to €600 more expensive to build due to the gulley, floor falls and concealed valves. For families with young children, a bath remains more practical.
Do I need planning permission for a bathroom renovation?
If you are keeping the layout and just replacing surfaces and fixtures, no. Building notice or permission may be required if you are moving load-bearing walls, significantly changing the layout, or altering shared drainage stacks.
Calculate your bathroom renovation cost
This overview provides an indicative price range for 2026. The specific cost depends on the scope, size, tile format and sanitaryware choice. Before you contact a contractor, calculate an estimate using the Numiq online calculator. You’ll get a real sense of market rates, a stronger negotiating position and, once logged in, you can save your calculations for later.
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