Bathroom Installation Costs in Brighton: What to Budget in 2026

A new bathroom can transform your daily routine and add significant value to your Brighton home. Whether you are updating a tired family bathroom, adding an en-suite, or converting a spare room into a shower room, understanding realistic costs helps you budget appropriately and plan effectively.

As local Brighton plumbers who install bathrooms across Brighton and Hove, we know that costs vary enormously depending on the scope of work, specification, and property type. This guide explains what bathroom installations cost in Brighton in 2026, breaks down where your money goes, and helps you understand what affects the final price.

Bathroom Installation Costs at a Glance

Bathroom installation costs range widely depending on size, specification, and the extent of work required. Here are typical total costs for complete bathroom renovations in Brighton in 2026, including all labour, materials, sanitaryware, and finishes.

A budget bathroom renovation refreshing an existing space with modest sanitaryware and standard finishes typically costs £3,000 to £5,000. This suits straightforward updates where the layout remains unchanged and no structural work is needed.

A mid-range bathroom installation with quality sanitaryware, good tiles, and potentially some layout changes costs £5,000 to £10,000. This level covers most family bathroom renovations where homeowners want a noticeable upgrade without premium pricing.

A high-end bathroom with premium sanitaryware, designer tiles, luxury features, and bespoke elements costs £10,000 to £20,000 or more. This suits those wanting exceptional finishes, underfloor heating, walk-in showers, freestanding baths, or high-specification fixtures throughout.

En-suite bathrooms and small shower rooms typically cost £2,500 to £6,000 depending on specification, benefiting from smaller floor areas while still requiring all the same trades and installation work.

Breaking Down Bathroom Costs

Understanding where your money goes helps you make informed decisions about where to invest and where to save.

Labour Costs

Labour typically accounts for 40 to 50 percent of a bathroom renovation budget. A complete bathroom installation involves multiple trades including plumbers, electricians, tilers, plasterers, and sometimes carpenters. Plumbing work alone, covering first fix pipework, second fix connections, and fitting all sanitaryware, typically costs £1,000 to £2,500 depending on complexity.

A straightforward bathroom taking five to seven days to complete has lower labour costs than complex projects requiring two weeks or more. Properties presenting access difficulties or requiring significant preparatory work increase labour time and cost.

Sanitaryware Costs

Sanitaryware includes your bath, toilet, basin, and shower. Budget sanitaryware packages cost £300 to £600 for basic but functional items. Mid-range sanitaryware from quality manufacturers like Roca, Ideal Standard, or Duravit costs £600 to £1,500. Premium and designer sanitaryware from brands like Villeroy and Boch, Crosswater, or Burlington can cost £1,500 to £4,000 or more.

Shower systems vary significantly in price. Basic electric showers cost £100 to £300. Thermostatic mixer showers range from £200 to £800. Premium rainfall shower systems with multiple outlets can cost £500 to £2,000. Your choice of shower significantly affects both the bathroom’s functionality and total cost.

Tiles and Flooring

Tiles typically represent a significant portion of bathroom costs, covering walls, floors, and shower areas. Budget ceramic tiles cost £15 to £30 per square metre. Quality porcelain tiles range from £30 to £60 per square metre. Designer tiles, natural stone, and large format options can cost £60 to £150 per square metre or more.

Tiling labour adds considerably to costs. Professional tiling for an average bathroom costs £600 to £1,200 depending on tile size, pattern complexity, and the extent of coverage. Intricate patterns, small mosaic tiles, and full floor-to-ceiling tiling increase labour time and cost.

Electrical Work

Bathroom electrical work must be completed by a qualified electrician and certified under Part P Building Regulations. Typical electrical costs include installing extractor fans, adding or moving lighting, heated towel rail connections, and electric shower installation. Budget £300 to £800 for standard bathroom electrical work, more if significant rewiring or additional circuits are needed.

Additional Elements

Various additional elements affect total costs. Heated towel rails cost £100 to £400 plus installation. Underfloor heating adds £400 to £800 for electric systems in an average bathroom. New bathroom furniture including vanity units and storage costs £200 to £1,000 depending on specification. Mirrors, accessories, and finishing touches add £100 to £500.

What Affects Bathroom Installation Costs

Several factors influence the final cost of your Brighton bathroom installation.

Property Type and Age

Brighton’s diverse housing stock significantly affects bathroom installation complexity and cost. Victorian terraces in areas like Hanover, Seven Dials, and Preston Park often have original lead pipework requiring replacement, uneven floors needing levelling, and limited access that complicates installation. Regency properties around Kemp Town and Brunswick may have structural considerations and period features to work around.

Converted flats, common throughout Brighton, can present challenges with shared drainage, limited space, and access restrictions. Modern properties typically have more straightforward installations with standard fittings and easier access.

Layout Changes

Keeping your existing bathroom layout, with sanitaryware in the same positions, minimises plumbing work and cost. Moving a toilet requires extending soil pipes, which adds significant expense. Relocating basins and baths needs new hot and cold supplies and waste runs. Complete layout redesigns requiring extensive pipework modifications can add £500 to £1,500 to plumbing costs.

Bathroom Size

Larger bathrooms require more materials, particularly tiles, and take longer to complete. However, the relationship between size and cost is not linear. A small en-suite may cost proportionally more per square metre than a larger family bathroom because the plumbing and electrical work is similar regardless of room size.

Specification Level

The specification you choose affects cost dramatically. Budget choices throughout can deliver a functional, attractive bathroom at minimal cost. Premium choices including designer sanitaryware, natural stone tiles, underfloor heating, and high-end fixtures multiply the price significantly. Most homeowners find mid-range specifications offer the best balance of quality and value.

Structural Work

Some bathroom projects require structural alterations. Removing walls to enlarge bathrooms, creating doorways, or forming new en-suites from bedroom space all add to costs. Structural work involving steel beams or significant alterations can add £1,000 to £3,000 to your project.

Bathroom Types and Typical Costs

Different bathroom types have different typical costs.

Family Bathroom

A standard family bathroom with bath, separate shower or shower over bath, toilet, and basin typically costs £5,000 to £10,000 for a quality mid-range installation. This includes full strip-out, all plumbing, electrics, tiling, and fitting of all sanitaryware and accessories.

En-Suite Bathroom

En-suite bathrooms, typically featuring a shower, toilet, and basin in a compact space, cost £2,500 to £6,000 depending on specification. Creating a new en-suite where none existed, requiring new drainage and water supplies, adds to costs compared with refurbishing an existing en-suite.

Shower Room

Converting a small space into a dedicated shower room typically costs £3,000 to £6,000. Shower rooms suit properties where bath facilities exist elsewhere or where space constraints make a full bathroom impractical. Walk-in showers and wet room configurations suit these spaces well.

Wet Room

Wet rooms require complete waterproofing of the entire floor and typically the lower portions of walls. The tanking and drainage installation adds £1,000 to £2,000 compared with conventional shower installations. Complete wet room installations typically cost £6,000 to £12,000 depending on size and specification.

Cloakroom or WC

A small cloakroom with toilet and basin is the most affordable bathroom installation. Simple cloakroom refurbishments cost £1,500 to £3,000. Creating a new cloakroom where none existed, requiring new drainage and supplies, costs more but still represents one of the more affordable bathroom projects.

How Long Does Bathroom Installation Take

Bathroom installation duration affects both inconvenience and labour costs. A straightforward bathroom renovation with no structural changes or layout alterations typically takes five to eight working days. More complex projects involving layout changes, structural work, or high-specification finishes may take two to three weeks.

During installation, you will be without bathroom facilities for several days. For properties with only one bathroom, we discuss phasing work to maintain at least toilet access wherever possible, or completing work as quickly as practical to minimise disruption.

Bathroom Installations Across Brighton

We install bathrooms throughout Brighton and Hove, covering the city centre, North Laine, Kemp Town, Hanover, Seven Dials, Preston Park, Fiveways, Queens Park, Kemptown, Whitehawk, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Hove, Portslade, and across the city. We also serve Peacehaven, Newhaven, Lewes, and surrounding East Sussex areas.

Whatever your property type, from Regency townhouse to Victorian terrace to modern apartment, we have experience installing bathrooms that suit both the building and your requirements.

Get Your Free Bathroom Quote

If you are planning a bathroom renovation in Brighton, we provide free consultations to discuss your requirements and provide accurate quotations. We visit your property, assess the existing bathroom, discuss your ideas and budget, and provide a detailed quote covering all aspects of the work.

Contact us today to arrange your free consultation. Discover what your new Brighton bathroom could cost and start planning the bathroom you deserve.

Get in touch to discuss your bathroom project.