Search for the cost of a new bathroom and you will find averages from across the country. They are not much use if you are deciding what to spend in your house. What moves the price is the specification, so it helps to see what each level actually looks like and what you are buying.
The ranges below are the ones in our public bathroom cost calculator. They are guide ranges for a full refit, not a quote. A visit and a measured design give the real figure.
The three levels
Entry: about £9,000 to £12,000
A complete, well-finished bathroom with sensible choices. Typically this means a straightforward layout (the existing positions largely kept), a standard bath or a shower enclosure, practical tiling, and a quality but unfussy set of fittings. The aim is a result that looks clean and lasts, without paying for features you may not use.
Mid: about £12,000 to £17,000 (the most popular)
This is where most families end up, because the specification starts to deliver the things people say they want:
- A walk-in shower replacing a bath, or alongside one.
- Flush, two-outlet shower mixers.
- A wall-hung toilet and a two-drawer vanity unit.
- Full tiling rather than partial.
- Downlights, mirror lights and an extractor fan.
- A mirror cabinet.
- Plastering and decorating included.
Premium: about £17,000 to £30,000
Here the upgrades are in the design and finishing: wet rooms or flush trays, multiple shower outlets, freestanding or whirlpool baths, quartz surfaces, branded mirror cabinets, ambient LED lighting and larger-format tiles that need more careful preparation and laying.
Why the room is not the only factor
Two bathrooms of the same size can sit in different bands. The usual swing factors:
- Shower type. A hinged enclosure over a bath, a walk-in tray and a full wet room are three different jobs. See wet room or walk-in tray.
- Moving things. Relocating the toilet, basin or shower means new waste and supply runs and possibly new floor work.
- Tiling area and tile size. Floor to ceiling costs more than half height. Large-format porcelain needs a flatter surface and slower laying.
- Electrics and lighting. More fittings means more cable, and the work has to be done to regulations and certified.
- Condition of what is behind the old bathroom. Old plaster, rotten boards or poor pipework are found when walls open, and a sensible quote says how that is handled.
How to compare quotes properly
When two prices are far apart, the answer is almost always in the scope. Ask each firm to confirm, in writing, who is responsible for each of these:
| Item | Included? |
|---|---|
| Strip out and waste removal | |
| Plastering and boarding | |
| Waterproofing / tanking in wet areas | |
| Tiling: floor, walls, full or half height | |
| Plumbing and first fix and second fix | |
| Electrics, and the certificate or Part P notification | |
| Heated towel rail and its connection | |
| Glass screen, including lead time | |
| Decorating and making good | |
| Floor covering | |
| VAT | |
| Guarantee on workmanship and products |
Any blanks mean “extra” until proved otherwise.
Three more things worth asking:
- Provisional sums. If a quote says “allowance” for tiles or the suite, find out what that buys. A low allowance is how a low headline price turns into a high final bill.
- Who turns up? In reviews of Venus, customers frequently mention knowing which tradesperson was coming when. That kind of scheduling is a sign of a firm that manages the job rather than subcontracts and hopes.
- What happens if something is wrong in two years? Who do you call, and are products and labour both covered?
A short checklist before you ask for prices
- Decide the shower and bath arrangement first. It drives everything else.
- Choose roughly the level you are aiming for, using the bands above.
- Be honest about what must be done now and what could wait.
- See real finished jobs rather than catalogue shots: our gallery has examples across the range.
Use the cost calculator for a guide figure in a couple of minutes, then book a visit when you want a measured design and a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom cost in Leighton Buzzard?
Full bathroom refits through Venus typically sit in three bands: Entry about £9,000 to £12,000, Mid about £12,000 to £17,000 and Premium about £17,000 to £30,000. Where you land depends on the shower or bath type, tiling, fittings and finishing. These are guide ranges, not a quote.
Why do bathroom quotes vary so much?
Usually because they are not quoting the same job. One may include plastering, electrics, tiling to full height and waste removal, while another leaves them as extras. A line-by-line comparison shows the real difference.
Do I need to buy my own bathroom suite?
You do not have to. A design and fit service specifies, supplies and fits everything, which gives a single point of responsibility if something is wrong. Check what is included and whether the guarantee covers products and labour.
Is it cheaper to do a bathroom in stages?
Rarely. Splitting work means paying for access, protection and making good more than once. If you must stage, finish the invasive work (pipes, electrics, floor, walls) first.
