A bathroom renovation runs in a fixed order: survey and quote, strip out, first fix plumbing and electrics, walls and floor prepared, tiling, then the suite fitted, sealed and tested. A full refit typically takes 7 to 14 working days, and most full refits we quote fall between £4,500 and £12,000 including labour, materials and finishing. This page walks through each stage so you know what is happening in your house and why.
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Before any work: decide what kind of renovation it is
Renovation, refurbishment and remodelling get used for the same thing, but the scope matters for price and time. Keeping the toilet, basin and bath or shower where they are and replacing them with new is the simplest version. Moving any of them, swapping a bath for a walk in shower, or taking out a wall is a bigger job because pipes and waste have to follow. If you are unsure, our comparison of a full refit and a refresh sets out the trade offs.
Stage 1: survey and fixed quote
We visit, measure, look at your water system, check how the waste runs and ask how the room is used. You then get a fixed written quote within 24 hours. A good quote lists the strip out, each trade, materials, making good and waste removal; our checklist of what a bathroom quote should include is worth reading against any quote you receive.
Stage 2: choosing products
Suite, tiles, taps, lighting and any heated towel rail are chosen and ordered before the start date. Having everything on site before strip out avoids the most common delay of all, which is waiting for one missing part with the room already stripped.
Stage 3: strip out
The old suite, tiles and sometimes flooring come out, and waste is taken away. This is when hidden problems show: soft boards from old leaks, loose plaster, or pipework that does not match what was expected. Anything found is explained before extra work is done.
Stage 4: first fix
New pipe runs, wastes and electrical cabling go in while the walls and floor are open. Extractor fans, lighting circuits and any underfloor heating are placed at this point. Electrical work in a bathroom has to meet Part P, covered in our building regulations guide.
Stage 5: walls, floor and tiling
Walls are boarded or made good, wet areas are tanked, and the floor is prepared so it is solid and flat. Tiling follows, walls then floor, with time for adhesive and grout to cure.
Stage 6: second fix and handover
The suite, taps, shower, lights and accessories are fitted, everything is tested, and joints are sealed. We normally ask for 24 hours after final sealing before the shower is used. Before we leave you are shown how everything works.
What usually adds time or cost
- Rotten floorboards or joists found during strip out.
- Plumbing or waste that has to move to a new position.
- Walls needing replastering rather than light making good.
- Changes of product after work has started.
Our guide to stopping a fit going over budget covers how to plan around these.
One team for the whole job
Plumbing, tiling and electrics are done by our own team, so the stages above follow each other without waiting for other trades. The work carries our written workmanship guarantee and we are fully insured. Meet our Stoke-on-Trent bathroom fitters, book a free survey or call 01782 901390.
Common questions
What is the difference between a renovation, a refurbishment and a remodel?
People use the words loosely. In practice a refurbishment usually keeps the layout and replaces the suite and finishes, while a remodel moves things around. Both are renovations, and the survey is where we work out which one your room needs.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A full refit is typically 7 to 14 working days. Keeping the same layout with modest tiling sits at the shorter end; moving plumbing or full height tiling sits at the longer end.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Stoke-on-Trent?
Most full bathroom refits we quote fall between £4,500 and £12,000 including labour, materials and finishing. A refresh on the same layout can be £3,000 to £4,500.
Do I need several different trades?
A renovation usually needs plumbing, electrics, tiling, plastering and carpentry. Our own team covers plumbing, tiling and electrics, so you deal with one contact rather than coordinating separate trades.
Can I still use the house during the work?
Yes. Most families stay at home. Plan for the bathroom being out of action for most of the fit and keep a spare toilet or nearby facility in mind.