How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Kent? (2026 Guide)
A complete cost breakdown for bathroom refurbishments in Sittingbourne and across Kent, from a simple refresh to a full wet room conversion.
A bathroom renovation is one of the most popular home improvement projects in Kent — and one of the most frequently underestimated in terms of cost. Whether you are refreshing a tired family bathroom in Sittingbourne or converting a spare room into a luxury en-suite, understanding what the work involves and what it costs will help you plan with confidence.
What Affects the Cost of a Bathroom Renovation?
The final cost of a bathroom renovation in Kent depends on four main factors: the size of the room, the specification of the fittings, whether the layout is changing (which affects plumbing and electrical work), and the number of trades required. A like-for-like replacement of an existing bathroom is always cheaper than moving the toilet, shower, or basin to a new position, because repositioning requires new waste runs, supply pipes, and potentially a new soil stack connection.
Typical Bathroom Renovation Costs in Kent (2026)
| Renovation Type | Typical Cost Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh (suite swap) | £1,500 – £3,000 | New bath/shower, basin, toilet, tiling, decoration |
| Mid-range full renovation | £3,000 – £6,000 | New suite, full retile, new flooring, lighting, heated towel rail |
| Premium renovation | £6,000 – £12,000 | Designer suite, underfloor heating, bespoke storage, feature tiles |
| Wet room conversion | £4,000 – £9,000 | Tanking, linear drain, frameless glass, full waterproofing |
| En-suite addition (new room) | £5,000 – £15,000 | Structural work, plumbing, electrical, full fit-out |
These prices are for the complete job including labour and materials. Labour alone typically accounts for 40–50% of the total cost. Kent rates are broadly in line with the South East average.
The Trades Involved in a Bathroom Renovation
A full bathroom renovation typically requires a plumber, an electrician, a tiler, and a decorator — and often a plasterer if walls are being re-boarded. Coordinating four separate contractors is time-consuming and creates gaps between trades where the project can stall. Kent Trade Solutions manages the full process, coordinating vetted trade partners under a single point of contact so the project runs to schedule without the homeowner having to chase individual contractors.
The electrical element of a bathroom renovation is a notifiable Part P job — any new circuit, new lighting position, or socket installation within a bathroom zone must be carried out by a registered electrician and certified. This is not optional; it is a legal requirement under Building Regulations. As a NICEIC-registered electrician, Kent Trade Solutions handles all bathroom electrical work and issues the required certification on completion.
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
| Renovation Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Basic suite swap | 2–3 days |
| Mid-range full renovation | 5–7 days |
| Premium renovation | 7–14 days |
| Wet room conversion | 7–10 days |
| En-suite addition | 2–4 weeks |
Tips for Keeping Costs Under Control
The single biggest cost-saving decision in a bathroom renovation is keeping the existing layout. Moving the toilet or shower to a new position can add £500–£1,500 to the plumbing costs alone. If the current layout works, refreshing it in place is almost always the most cost-effective approach. Choosing mid-range sanitaryware from reputable brands (Roca, Ideal Standard, Grohe) rather than budget or designer alternatives gives the best balance of quality and value. And booking all trades through a single contractor rather than managing them separately eliminates the coordination overhead that often leads to delays and cost overruns.
Kent Trade Solutions
NICEIC-registered Electrician & Refcom-certified AC Engineer, Sittingbourne, Kent
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