Not everyone needs a whole new bathroom. Often the question is how long one job will leave the room out of action: a new toilet, a shower, fresh tiling. The honest answer depends less on the fitting itself and more on what is found behind it and how long materials need to set.
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If you are planning a complete refit, our day by day full fit timeline covers that. This page is about individual jobs.
Fitting a toilet
Straight swap: part of a day where the new pan's outlet lines up with the existing soil connection and the floor is sound. Longer if: the outlet height or set back differs, the floor under the old pan is rotten, or the toilet is moving position, which means altering waste pipework. A cloakroom where gravity drainage is not possible may need a macerator, covered in our macerator guide.
Installing a shower
Replacing a shower unit on existing supplies is a short job, as long as the new unit suits your water system. A new shower area is different. Tray or former, new hot and cold runs, a waste, a screen and tiling means several days, mostly because each layer needs time before the next goes on. Choose a shower that matches your boiler or cylinder first; our shower type guide explains why.
Tiling
Within a full fit we allow around three working days for tiling, walls then floor. That assumes the surfaces are ready. Old tiles pulling plaster off, uneven walls needing boarding, or a wet area needing tanking all add time before tiling starts. Large format, herringbone and hexagon layouts take longer because of the cutting and setting out. Grout and adhesive then need proper curing, which is not something to rush.
Replacing a whole suite
Swapping toilet, basin and bath on the same layout with modest tiling is roughly five to seven working days. Once plumbing moves or full height tiling is involved, expect the full fit range of 7 to 14 working days.
Fitting a walk in bath
A walk in bath is heavier than a standard bath and has a door seal and often a larger waste. It needs a level, sound floor and a hot water supply able to fill it. Allow for any floor work and the surrounding tiling when thinking about time, rather than the bath alone.
What stretches any job
- Rotten or bouncy floorboards found once the old fitting is out.
- Waste pipes that do not line up with the new product.
- Walls that need replastering or boarding.
- Products arriving late or wrong.
- Curing times for tanking, adhesive, grout and sealant.
A time you can plan around
After a free survey you get a fixed written quote within 24 hours with a start and finish date on it. Plumbing, tiling and electrics are done by our own team, so jobs are not waiting on another trade to turn up. For smaller work see our bathroom repairs, or tell us what needs doing and call 01782 901390.
Common questions
How long does it take to fit a toilet?
A like for like swap where the waste lines up is usually part of a day. Moving the toilet or altering the soil connection turns it into a plumbing job that can take considerably longer.
How long does it take to install a shower?
Replacing a shower on existing pipework is quick. A new shower area with a tray, screen, new pipe runs and tiling is several days because adhesive, grout and sealant need curing time.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
Tiling is usually around three working days within a full fit, longer for large format or patterned layouts. Walls and floor need preparation and curing time either side.
How long to fit a bathroom suite and tile?
A full refit with a suite and tiling is typically 7 to 14 working days. A straight swap with the same layout and modest tiling can be roughly five to seven.
When can I use the shower after fitting?
We normally ask for 24 hours after final sealing before the shower is used.