Your Bathroom Renovation Questions, Answered

Embarking on a bathroom renovation throws up countless questions. As every project’s unique, it can be hard to find clear answers on process, cost and timelines. At The Page, we’ve guided hundreds of homeowners through successful bathroom transformations, so we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive. Whether you’re planning a simple refresh or a complete overhaul, this guide will help you navigate your bathroom renovation journey with confidence.

1. What’s the process of a bathroom renovation?

A bathroom renovation typically follows these key stages:

1. Planning and design: Determine your needs, wants, budget and desired timeline. Create a moodboard or gather inspiration for your new bathroom, including layouts, fixtures and finishes, and tiles.
   
2. Find the right contractor: Research and interview builders, check references, review previous work and hold site visits. The Page can handle this step for you by matching you with highly recommended and skilled builders based on your location and project requirements. 
   
   If you need a hand with design, it’s worth finding a builder who can help you rather than getting in the weeds of the detail in the early stages or using a bathroom designer. In the grand scheme of things, a bathroom remodel is a small project so involving too many people can make the process unnecessarily complicated.
   
3. Finalising designs and getting permits: Work with your contractor to finalise your bathroom design and order materials. If you need to change electrics or plumbing, you’ll need to get building regulations approval.  
   
4. Demolition: Removing old fixtures, fittings and tiles.
   
5. Rough-in work: This involves plumbing and electrical updates that happen behind the walls, including any relocations of fixtures.
   
6. Waterproofing: Critical to prevent water damage and mould issues.
   
7. Tiling and flooring: Installation of floor and wall tiles or other finishes.
   
8. Fixture installation: Placing the toilet, sink, shower or bath, and cabinetry.
   
9. Final touches: Painting and installing hardware, lighting, mirrors, and accessories.
   
10. Snagging: Ensuring all work meets your agreed specifications. 

2. How do I budget for a bathroom renovation?

Setting a realistic budget is the first step for a successful renovation. 

Research labour and material costs in your area (London prices will be at the top end of the scale for the UK) to understand if doing work is achievable for you. Assess your finances to see what you can comfortably spend without overextending yourself, then add a 10-20% buffer in case of unexpected issues that might arise. 

Then think about your needs and wants. What’s crucial and what would be nice to have? Can you afford basic fittings and fixtures or more high-spec options? Tally options up to see what the overall prices are looking like. Consider long-term value as well as some investments (like quality waterproofing) can save you money in the long run. When it comes to getting quotes from builders, compare multiple quotes (two to three) to understand pricing variations. 

During your consultation call at The Page, our renovation coach helps you to understand cost drivers specific to your project. Then, during our quote comparison call, we analyse builder proposals to ensure you’re getting good value and that all necessary work is included in the scope.

3. What does a full bathroom renovation cost?

You should expect to pay £8,000 to £10,000 for a simple bathroom upgrade in London with a mid-range finish. However, the cost of bathroom renovation varies hugely depending on the scale, complexity and desired finish. You can install a small new bathroom with lower-end products for around £5,000. On the other end of the scale, it’s not uncommon for a larger, more premium bathroom that requires layout reconfigurations to hit the £20,000 mark. 

4. How long does a typical bathroom renovation take?

The average bathroom renovation will take two to three weeks to install (this factors in removing the old bathroom, installing the new one, and finishing touches). However, bathroom renovation timelines can vary based on:

Size: A large bathroom that requires more tiling, for example, will require more labour time than a small bathroom 

Scope of work: Reconfiguring a bathroom or installing a bathroom in a different room is more complex and time consuming than swapping fixtures out as it involves installing new plumbing and electrics.  

Material availability: Custom or specialty items can extend timelines.

Unexpected issues: Discovering mould, rotted subfloors, or outdated plumbing/electrical can add days or weeks.

5. Do I need a designer for a bathroom renovation?

If you’re doing a straightforward bathroom renovation (keeping the same layout and making cosmetic updates) using a designer isn’t really necessary and will add to your overall spend. 

In most cases, using 3D design tools that many bathroom suppliers offer (like Victorian Plumbing) and working closely with your builder to confirm measurements and source products will achieve the same outcome, at a fraction of the price. 

6. Do I need special permission to move plumbing fixtures?

In most cases, moving plumbing fixtures requires approval from building control. However, If your builder is registered on a competent person scheme then they can self-certify that the work will be correct and done to council standards. If this is the case, you don’t have to do anything. Your builder will notify the council of the work that’s been done on your behalf and give you a certificate that’s evidence of building compliance (useful for if you come to sell). 

7. What waterproofing considerations are important?

Waterproofing is arguably the most critical aspect of bathroom renovation and you should think about:

• Professional application: Proper waterproofing requires expertise and specific materials.
  
• Comprehensive coverage: Walls, floors, and especially shower areas need appropriate waterproofing membranes.
  
• Material compatibility: Waterproofing systems must be compatible with the adhesives and tiles used.
  
• Warranties: Quality contractors offer warranties or workmanship guarantees on their waterproofing work.

8. Should I replace the bathroom suite or just update fixtures?

This is a personal decision and depends on several factors:

Current condition: If your existing bath or shower is in good structural condition, you might only need to update faucets, showerheads and cosmetic elements to give the bathroom a new lease of life.

Budget constraints: Replacing fixtures rather than entire units can save thousands.

Age of plumbing: Older plumbing might warrant complete replacement to prevent future issues.

Style goals: Sometimes, no amount of updating can achieve the look you want without full replacement.

Long-term plans: Consider how long you’ll be in your home. Complete replacements typically add more value for resale.

Get matched to the right builder for your project with The Page

The Page is a free London-based renovation coaching and builder matching platform. We provide homeowners with a renovation roadmap: achieve your dream space with clarity and bespoke support throughout the process, transparency on budget and real market costs, and the expert workmanship of our Pagers. Pagers are the hand-picked, hands-on builders we work with. Highly vetted, skilled, and experienced, with tight-knit teams, their lean businesses equal top-quality work for a fair price.

Thomas is our in-house renovation coach. He intimately understands the renovation process and project-specific challenges – he’s helped over 1,000 Londoners renovate with confidence. Whether you’re transforming your kitchen into a host-with-the-most space or adding an extension to maximise family time, Thomas is here to signpost you at every stage of your project so you can make informed decisions. From budgeting and sourcing fittings, right through to the pinch-me moment when you’re raising a toast to your new space, he’s here to help. 

The result? Confidence in your investment and a home you love.