Can I fit a new bathroom myself?
Yes — for most of it. A bathroom refit is really a stack of separate jobs, and which ones you can safely take on depends on what the job actually is, not on how confident you feel. Here’s the honest breakdown.
You can do this yourself
- Ripping out the old suiteHeavy but unskilled — the classic first DIY saving on any bathroom job.
- TilingIf you're confident with a wet cutter and can keep a line level, tiling is the single biggest swing item you can take on yourself.
- Painting the ceilingNo notifiable-work restrictions apply to decorating.
- Laying vinyl flooringStraightforward once the room's cleared and the old floor's up.
This should stay with a trade
- PlumbingEven a like-for-like swap is wet work buried behind tiles you won't be able to inspect once it's finished — the reason most people, and most insurers, want it done by someone qualified.
- ElectricsA new extractor fan or light fitting in a bathroom is notifiable work under Part P. Doing it without certification is a legal problem, not just a risky one.
What that's worth on a typical bathroom
Full DIY
£2,690
Smart Hybrid
£3,340
Full Trade
£3,960
Doing everything you legally and safely can yourself saves £1,270 against paying a trade for the whole job. A smart mix still saves £620, without the plumbing, gas and electrical risk.
Get the exact numbers for your bathroom
Size, specification and finish all change the maths. The calculator prices your actual job, then you can add it to your plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fit a bathroom in the UK?
A typical mid-range bathroom costs around £3,960 fully trade-fitted, or from £2,690 if you do everything you legally and safely can yourself. Size, specification and finish all move it, so use the bathroom calculator for your own numbers.
What bathroom work is notifiable or must be done by a registered trade?
Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and most new or altered electrical circuits are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England, so they need a registered electrician or building control sign-off. Plumbing is not notifiable, but wet work behind tiles is the part most people leave to a plumber.
How do I save money without doing it all myself?
Take on the unskilled, time-heavy stages: strip-out, preparation, decorating and, if you are confident, tiling. Hand the regulated work to registered trades. That is the Smart Hybrid route, and it usually delivers most of the saving with far less risk.
Should I project-manage the job myself?
Many people do, and it saves the main contractor margin. The key is getting the order of work right and booking trades early. Our renovation planner lays the stages out and shows who to book and when.
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades. Looking at something else? Read can I fit a kitchen myself.