"How much will my bathroom cost?" It's the first question every homeowner asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. But that doesn't mean you should be left guessing. After fitting bathrooms across Dartford, Bexley, Greenwich, Gravesend, and the surrounding Kent areas, we know what things actually cost in this part of the country — and we believe you deserve straight answers before you commit to anything.
This guide gives you realistic 2026 prices based on current material costs, local rates, and our own project experience. Whether you're refreshing a tired en-suite or planning a complete transformation, you'll find the numbers you need to budget with confidence.
What Actually Affects the Price?
No two bathrooms cost the same, and understanding why helps you make better decisions about where to spend and where to save. Here are the main factors that move the price up or down:
Size of the Room
A small en-suite needs fewer tiles, less pipework, and less time than a large family bathroom. It's the single biggest factor in your quote.
Scope of Work
Swapping a suite like-for-like is straightforward. Moving the toilet to the other side of the room or converting to a wet room involves significantly more work.
Quality of Finishes
There's a big difference between a £15/m² ceramic tile and a £60/m² porcelain. Same with fixtures — a standard chrome tap versus brushed brass can double the cost.
Age of Your Property
Older homes across Kent — particularly Victorian and Edwardian terraces — often have outdated pipework, uneven floors, or damp issues that need addressing before the new bathroom goes in.
What Do Individual Items Cost?
To help you understand what makes up the total, here's what you can expect to pay for each element of a bathroom renovation in Kent. These are 2026 prices reflecting current material and installation costs.
| Item | Typical Cost (Installed) | What This Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom suite | £500 – £2,500 | Toilet, basin, and bath or shower tray — supply and fit |
| Tiling | £800 – £3,000 | Walls and floor, depends on tile choice and coverage area |
| Shower enclosure | £600 – £1,550 | Tray, screen, valve, and shower head — fully installed |
| Taps and fixtures | £200 – £800 | Basin taps, bath taps, towel rails — chrome to designer brass |
| Vanity unit | £250 – £1,200 | Wall-hung or freestanding, with basin and storage |
| Towel radiator | £200 – £450 | Supplied and fitted, chrome or coloured finish |
| Underfloor heating | £60 – £85 per m² | Electric mat system, ideal under tiles |
| Extractor fan | £60 – £300 | Basic to humidity-sensing, including wiring |
| Waterproofing / tanking | £200 – £500 | Essential for shower areas and wet rooms |
| Strip-out and disposal | £300 – £800 | Removing old suite, tiles, and waste removal |
Prices sourced from Victorian Plumbing, Checkatrade, and our own 2026 project data for Kent and SE London.
BEFORE
AFTERFull bathroom renovation in Dartford — a mid-range project by GWS
The Three Budget Tiers Explained
Budget Refresh: £3,000 – £6,000
This is a like-for-like upgrade — you're keeping the same layout but replacing the suite, updating the tiles (or partially re-tiling), and fitting new fixtures. It's the most affordable way to make a bathroom feel brand new without the cost of structural changes.
Typically includes:
- New toilet, basin, and bath or shower
- Partial wall tiling (splash areas)
- New taps and towel rail
- Fresh silicone and sealant
- Minor plumbing adjustments
Timeline: 7–10 working days
Full Renovation: £6,000 – £12,000
This is what most of our customers go for. It's a complete strip-out and rebuild — everything comes out and goes back in new. You get full creative control over the layout, tiles, and finishes, and the result is a bathroom that feels completely different.
Typically includes:
- Complete strip-out and disposal
- Re-boarding and preparation
- Waterproofing / tanking wet zones
- Full floor-to-ceiling tiling
- New suite with quality fixtures
- Updated lighting and extractor
- Vanity unit and storage
Timeline: 10–14 working days
Premium / Luxury: £12,000 – £20,000+
This is for homeowners who want something truly special. Think walk-in wet rooms, underfloor heating, designer fixtures, feature lighting, and high-end tiles. These projects often involve layout changes, bespoke joinery, and premium materials throughout.
Typically includes everything above, plus:
- Walk-in shower or wet room with linear drain
- Electric underfloor heating
- Premium brassware (brushed brass, matte black)
- Built-in niches and recessed storage
- Feature lighting and heated mirrors
- Large-format or designer tiles
Timeline: 14–20+ working days
A premium renovation featuring brass fixtures and warm wood tones
Why Prices Vary Across Kent
If you've already got a few quotes, you've probably noticed they vary wildly. A bathroom that one company quotes at £5,000, another might quote at £12,000. Some of that is down to the quality of work, but location and property type play a real part too.
Factors specific to our area:
Older properties need more prep work
Victorian and Edwardian homes in Bexley Village, Dartford, and Gravesend often have outdated pipework, uneven floors, or damp issues hiding behind the tiles. This prep work is essential but adds to the cost. A good fitter will flag this upfront rather than surprising you halfway through.
London proximity premium
Being on the edge of London means material delivery costs and general trade rates are 10–20% higher than further into Kent. This is reflected in most quotes you'll receive in the Dartford, Bexley, and Greenwich areas.
Property type matters
A 1930s semi in Bexleyheath will have different challenges to a new-build in Ebbsfleet. Older homes may need new waste runs, updated electrics, or structural reinforcement for heavier fixtures like freestanding baths.
Access and parking
Terraced houses with no rear access or limited parking can add time (and therefore cost) to a project. Materials have to be carried further, and skips may need permits.
Smart Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
A bathroom renovation is a significant investment, but there are sensible ways to manage costs without compromising on the finished result:
Keep the existing layout
Moving the toilet, basin, or shower to a different position means re-routing waste pipes and water supplies. Keeping things where they are can save £500–£1,500.
Mix mid-range with premium
You don't need everything to be top-of-the-range. A mid-range suite paired with one or two premium touches — like quality taps or a statement mirror — can look just as impressive.
Choose large-format tiles
Bigger tiles mean fewer cuts, less grout, and faster installation. They also create a cleaner, more modern look — and they're easier to keep clean.
Don't skip waterproofing
This might sound counterintuitive for a money-saving section, but proper tanking prevents leaks and damp that could cost thousands to fix later. It's one area where spending a bit more now saves a lot later.
Buy your own materials
Some homeowners prefer to source their own tiles and suite from places like Victorian Plumbing, Toolstation, or local tile shops. This gives you full control over the budget for materials.
Does a New Bathroom Add Value to Your Home?
In short: yes. A modern, well-fitted bathroom is consistently ranked as one of the top three features buyers look for when viewing a property. Industry estimates suggest a quality bathroom renovation can add 4–5% to your home's value, with a typical return on investment of 60–70%.
For a home worth £350,000 (roughly average for the Dartford area), that's a potential value increase of £14,000–£17,500. Even a mid-range renovation at £8,000–£10,000 can more than pay for itself when you come to sell.
Features That Add the Most Value
Red Flags When Getting Quotes
Not all quotes are created equal. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Watch out for:
- • Quotes that are dramatically lower than others — they often don't include everything, or the quality of work won't match
- • No written quote or detailed breakdown of what's included
- • Requests for large upfront payments before any work starts
- • No public liability insurance or workmanship guarantee
- • Pressure to make a decision on the spot
- • No reviews on Checkatrade, Google, or similar platforms
How Long Will It Take?
One of the most common concerns is how long you'll be without a working bathroom. Here are realistic timelines based on our experience:
| Project Type | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small en-suite refresh | 5–7 working days | Like-for-like swap, minimal tiling |
| Standard full renovation | 10–14 working days | Complete strip-out and rebuild |
| Large bathroom / wet room | 14–20+ working days | Layout changes, underfloor heating, bespoke work |
| Cloakroom / WC | 3–5 working days | Smaller space, simpler scope |
We always try to minimise disruption, especially in single-bathroom homes. Where possible, we phase the work so you have access to a toilet and running water throughout.
Further Reading
For more detailed cost breakdowns from independent sources, these guides are worth a read:
Written by George Stephens, GWS Plumbing & Bathrooms. Based on real project costs across Kent and South East London in 2026. For more bathroom inspiration, visit our gallery or read our guide to 2026 bathroom trends.