How to Budget for a Small Bathroom Makeover
When budgeting for a bathroom renovation, it’s important to account for all the costs involved. Here are some key things to consider:
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Whether you're DIYing or hiring professionals, a bathroom makeover is no small job. In order to stay within budget and keep costs contained, it's important to be aware of all potential expenditure for a bathroom renovation.
Plumbing
Cost: £50-£60 per hour
Consider whether you will need to re-plumb your bathroom or whether you are happy to use the existing plumbing system, as the cost difference could be significant. Always use a licensed plumber or bathroom fitter to install bathroom fittings and furniture, as to do otherwise, may void product warranties and put your property at risk. The average hourly rate of a plumber in the UK is £50-£60 per hour, though you may be able to get a fixed price for the complete bathroom.
Plastering
Cost: Skimming £400 per room, replaster from £700 per room
If you plan to remove existing tiles, you will need a plasterer to create a clean, smooth surface for painting or retiling after. Plastering ensures that the walls are well prepared and helps to waterproof the room. Costs for plastering vary widely, depending on whether your bathroom walls require a simple skim or a full re-plastering.
Decor
Cost: Dependant
Finally, you will want to consider the finishing touches to your bathroom design, such as painting, decor and accessories. This is often the most DIY-friendly aspect of the bathroom renovation and where you could potentially save some of your budget.
Demolition
Cost: £110+
The time and manpower it takes to demolish existing fixtures is sometimes overlooked, while removal of rubbish and debris can be costly, so it’s useful to factor in the price of a skip or removal into your bathroom budget. A six-yard skip is a popular choice for a single room clear-out, accommodates 65 bin bags and is priced from £110 and up.
Electrical
Cost: from £40 per hour
You will likely require an electrician if you need your bathroom lighting to be rewired or changed, or a Part-P certified plumber who is skilled in both plumbing and electrical to fit an electric shower. Always leave this tricky part of your bathroom refit to the professionals, particularly where electricity meets water!
Tiling
Cost: £20-£40 per square metre
Tiles are an important feature in your bathroom, particularly wet areas such as
splashbacks, showers and floors and often go a long way towards defining the style of your room. Tiling materials can vary hugely in cost, anywhere from as low as £8 per metre squared for a simple ceramic tile to £70 or above for honed marble. Likewise, a standard straight lay pattern with square grout joints and square tiles costs the least, while you can expect to add up to £16-20 per square metre for specialist tiling such as herringbone or mosaic.
a quick guide to hidden costs
Structural Costs
When planning your bathroom layout, be sure to consider any plumbing position changes or structural alterations. It’s important to discuss these with your builder or plumber upfront.
Load-bearing walls
Your demolition may involve the removal of a load-bearing wall. This requires a building permit and engineering certification which incurs an additional expense.
Changing scope
When you first start planning, your budget may be based on basic fittings with minimal requirements. Be sure to save room in your budget for quality products that will stand the test of time. Always add a 20% contingency.
Save or Splurge
Paint
While high-quality paint can offer better coverage and durability, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money on it. Look for mid-range paint options that offer good coverage, are water resistant and easy to clean.
Tiling
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are often more affordable than natural stone tiles like marble or granite. They come in a wide range of designs and are durable options for bathroom floors and walls.
Brassware
Quality brassware that is durable and beautifully designed finishes a room to a higher standard and adds polish to your small bathroom suite.
Lighting
It’s important to add several levels of lighting to your small bathroom. A combination of ceiling lighting, task lighting and ambient lighting all contribute to the ergonomics of your room in the long term.
Furniture
A high-quality vanity and countertop can be the centerpiece of your bathroom and can significantly
impact the overall look and feel of the space. Look for solid wood or high-quality MDF cabinets and durable, easy-to- clean countertop materials like quartz or granite.
