How Much Value Does a New Bathroom Add to a House?

Key Takeaways:

• Refurbs Add Value: Upgrading an existing bathroom can boost your home’s sale price by around 6%.
• New Bathrooms Add Even More Value: Adding a bathroom can increase value by more, especially with extensions or loft conversions.
• Design Drives Appeal: Spa-style layouts, neutral colours, walk-in showers and double sinks are big selling points.
• Smart Features Boost ROI: Extractor fans, underfloor heating, good lighting and built-in storage improve function and buyer appeal.
• Costs Vary, Value Holds: Bathroom projects range from £3,000 to £20,000+, but most well-designed upgrades pay off on resale.

A well-executed refurbishment can add around 6% to your home’s market price, assuming it is planned and finished to a high standard.

Why Bathroom Upgrades Matter

Bathrooms have become more than just functional spaces. From sleek hotel-style finishes to spa-inspired retreats, modern bathrooms are now key to making a home feel up to date and desirable. Many experts suggest updating your bathroom every 7 to 10 years, especially if you are planning to sell.

Buyers notice bathrooms just as much as they notice kitchens. An outdated or tired space can put them off, while a stylish upgrade can help your home stand out.

If you plan on putting your home on the property market it might be a good idea to consider a new bathroom. Why? Because, like kitchens, people care about bathrooms. They too have become a focal point in recent years, especially with the craze for the ‘spa-type’ bathroom in our own home.

Refurbishment Versus Addition

The 6% increase in value usually refers to upgrading an existing bathroom. But adding a brand new one, such as an en suite or downstairs WC, is a different story. The cost can range from £3,000 to £7,000, and in return, you could unlock even more value, especially in homes with too few bathrooms for their size.

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If you’re asking yourself, how much value a new bathroom adds, then it’s not quite as clear cut as our opening paragraph would have you believe. That four to five per cent increase was for an existing bathroom refurbishment. Adding an additional bathroom to your home is a whole new ball game for increasing the value of your home.

It does, however, add further value to your home. Adding a new bathroom can cost anything from £3000 up to £7,000. If it involves a loft conversion or adding an extension then you’re looking at forking out far more money – in the region of £25,000 to £50,000, in fact.

Value Added by an Additional Bathroom

According to bathroom design experts, the way to save money when having a new bathroom added to your home is to cut back on fancy fixtures and fittings. It’s far more important to have your new extension or conversion structurally sound.

It’s a good idea to have both a downstairs bathroom and one upstairs. Not only does it mean guests can use the downstairs room, but it’s also more convenient for going to the toilet during the night.

Bathroom Types and Styles

Again, when wondering ‘how much value does a new bathroom add’ it depends on the type of bathroom you install and how broad its appeal is. Also, how much it costs to have fitted.

When it comes to style you can choose between a relaxing ‘spa-type’ bathroom, a large family bathroom or a minimalist, functional space.

Walk-in showers are popular these days and good for families. A roll-top, freestanding bath is perfect for a sanctuary-style bathroom. For luxury opt for a jacuzzi bath.

It’s not uncommon to find bathrooms with two basins in contemporary bathrooms. This ‘his’ and ‘her’ arrangement means two people can use the room at the same time – a must for busy people rushing off to work and a good selling point.

A luxury shower can prove popular too, especially a version with different showerheads, LED lighting and even a radio attached. Glass and sliding shower doors give the impression of more space in the room, while some people love the idea of a wet room.

What Can You Do to Add Extra Value?

To make sure your new bathroom installation makes an impact when you’re looking to sell, then there are certain additional you can make. These include:

• Add value by installing an extractor fan. That way you shouldn’t have any problems with dampness.
• Install a shower room if you don’t already have one, they are a must for new home buyers.
• Wet rooms can add even more value and are seen as being very modern along with being great for people with mobility issues.
• Add luxury vinyl or ceramic floor tiles. Porcelain tiles can be slippery, while wood flooring can become wet over time and rot.
• Add a new and contemporary bathroom suite in a neutral colour. That way it will appeal to most buyers.
• If you have two bathrooms then you should be able to ensure you have at least one bath and shower (most people prefer to have the choice of both).
• A heated towel rail is a great addition to any bathroom – and anyway, it’s pretty much expected nowadays.
• If you’re going to the bother of putting in new flooring then why not add underfloor heating? It’s a luxury that buyers really do appreciate.
• Make sure there is enough storage space, such as built-in cupboards – otherwise the bathroom will look constantly cluttered. A drawer at the side of the bath is a good idea but under the sink works well too.
• Good lighting and mirrors in the bathroom add to the feeling of more space and brightness. Lighting is also ‘a must’ for a spa bathroom.

New Bathroom Costs

A basic suite for a new bathroom costs between £700 and £10,000 – £20,000. That’s a lot of money but the good news is you’re more than likely to recoup the cash. That’s because a well-installed extra bathroom can add as much as £25,000 on to the value of a property.

But what do we mean by ‘well-installed?’ Well, we’re not taking about the ability of the tradesman who is fitting your bathroom here, but actually all the little tips and tricks that bring a typical bathroom up to the level of an extraordinary bathroom. For instance:

• Bathroom furniture – High gloss furniture can make a small bathroom look larger than it actually is. So too can a neutral colour scheme in general.
• Colouring – Splashes of colour and darker paint shades can give depth to a bathroom. It can also add the feeling of more space.

Where to Build an Additional Bathroom

If your master bedroom is big enough, then you can consider adding an ensuite to it. This definitely appeals to the majority of buyers since most people like the idea of not having to share a bathroom – even if it’s with their own children.

If you’ve recently built a guest room ie in a loft conversion or extension then putting a bathroom nearby makes perfect sense.

Finding a Bathroom Installer

Now that you’ve chosen your bathroom suite and want to go ahead with the installation, it’s time to find your bathroom installer. There are several ways you can do this. Here are the main routes right here:

• The Page – We have a large number of highly experienced bathroom fitters signed up to The Page. Get in touch and we will send you a curated list based on your specific requirements.
• Ask Other People – Friends, colleagues, neighbours, distant family members – some of these may have had a bathroom installed recently. If so, ask if they’d recommend their bathroom installer.
• Online Directories – TrustMark is a government-run scheme with an online directory. All members are carefully vetted for qualifications, identity and business practices. Buy with Confidence is another rated scheme. Members are vetted by a trading standards officer. He or she checks for previous convictions and audits the business.
• Facebook Groups – The Builders and Tradesmen Advice Group, Local Tradespeople UK and Find a Tradesman UK all have a Facebook page where you can chat with members for advice. You can also check your local town or city’s Facebook page to ask for local recommendations. Bear in mind the recommendations may not always be genuine, however.
• Trade Associations – The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Gas Safe Register, National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and the heating industry OFTEC are all membership bodies. Any contractor signed up to a trade association has been independently inspected and their work recommended.

FAQs

Is it worth adding a second bathroom?

Yes. Homes with multiple bathrooms are in high demand, particularly for families. A second bathroom improves convenience and can make your property more attractive to buyers.

What type of bathroom adds the most value?

Neutral, modern designs with walk-in showers, good lighting, quality fixtures and features like underfloor heating or double basins tend to appeal most to buyers.

What’s the typical cost of adding a new bathroom?

Installing a new bathroom ranges from £3,000 to £7,000, or up to £50,000 if it involves a loft conversion or extension.