What affects the cost of kitchen and bathroom work?
Cost follows the amount of work, not just the size of the room. A like-for-like swap in a sound room is a different job from one where the layout changes, the floor needs repair and new circuits are needed. Materials matter too: a large-format tile or a stone worktop that has to be templated takes more time to fit than a standard laminate worktop or small tile. These are the main factors a tradesperson weighs up.
- Room size, and the area to be tiled
- The condition of walls, floor and pipework once the old room is out
- Whether services move: waste, supplies, sockets, lighting, extraction
- Who supplies the units, tiles, sanitaryware and appliances
- Fitting complexity, such as wall-hung toilets or recessed shower drains
- Access: stairs, flats, parking and the route from the front door
- Extras like plastering, flooring, decorating and waste removal
What information a tradesperson needs
Be specific about what you are asking for. 'A new bathroom' covers anything from replacing three fittings to a full strip-out with a changed layout. Say what stays, what goes and what is moving. Mention the age and type of the property, which floor the room is on, and whether you have already bought anything. Decide who handles plastering, decorating, flooring and waste removal, because those are the items that get left off quotes and turn up later.
Mention the practical side as well: whether you will be living in the house during the work, whether there is a deadline such as a family event, and any limits on parking or noise, particularly in a flat. It also helps to say how you want to be kept in the loop, whether that is a message at the end of each working day or only when something needs deciding.
Why photos, measurements and a WhatsApp message work
A handful of clear photos tells a tradesperson more than a long description. They show the pipework under the sink, the type of floor, the consumer unit and the route to the room. Add rough wall lengths and ceiling height, and a quote can often be worked out without anyone visiting first.
WhatsApp suits this because photos, measurements and follow-up questions sit in one thread, and you can answer when it suits you. If something cannot be judged from photos, such as a floor that sounds hollow, we will say so and suggest a visit rather than guess. Quotes are free and carry no obligation.
- A wide shot of each wall, taken from the doorway or a corner
- Pipework under the sink or basin, and round the toilet
- The floor, and any damp stains, cracks or soft areas
- The consumer unit and stopcock, if you know where they are
- The route from the front door to the room, including stairs
What to compare between quotes
The lowest figure is not always the cheapest job. Put the quotes side by side and compare what each one includes. A quote that leaves out plastering, waste removal or tiling can look better until the missing items are added back. Ask each tradesperson the same questions so the answers can be matched up.
- Scope: a written list of what is included, room by room
- Exclusions: what has been left out, such as decorating or flooring
- Supply: who orders and pays for units, tiles, sanitaryware and fittings
- Changes: how extras and hidden problems are agreed, in writing, before the work happens
- Payments: what is due when, and what each payment is for
- Electrics and plumbing: which regulations apply and who deals with them
Red flags to watch for
Most quotes that end badly were too vague to hold anyone to. A fair deposit towards made-to-order items can be reasonable, but it should be explained, itemised and written down. None of the following means someone is dishonest on its own, but each one is a reason to stop and ask questions before you agree to anything.
- A one-line quote with a single figure and no breakdown
- A large payment demanded before any ordering or work has started
- No written scope, or a reluctance to put things in writing
- Pressure to say yes today to secure the price
- No clear answer on how electrical work will meet the regulations
- Extras agreed only by word of mouth
Next steps
Before asking anyone to quote, write down what you want done and what you have already bought. Take photos of the room and measure each wall, then send them to us on WhatsApp. We will ask any follow-up questions, tell you what we would want to check in person, and put together a free, no-obligation quote that sets out what is included and what is not.
Quick answers
How do I get an accurate quote for a bathroom?
Send clear photos of the room, wall measurements and a list of what you want changed. Say who is supplying the suite and tiles, and whether plastering, decorating and waste removal are included. With that, a tradesperson can price the job properly or tell you what needs checking in person.
Should I pay a deposit before work starts?
A small deposit towards made-to-order items can be reasonable, but it should be explained and written down. Be cautious about a large payment before any ordering or work has started. Agree in writing what each payment covers and when it is due.
Why are two quotes for the same job so different?
Usually the scopes differ. One quote may include plastering, waste removal, tiling or electrical work that the other leaves out, or assume different materials. Ask each tradesperson for a written list of inclusions and exclusions, then compare like with like.