Bathroom Renovation Cost: Is There a Way to Save Money?

As we are all very aware - the cost of building seems to be increasing on almost a daily basis in 2022. But this doesn't mean you have to put your renovation plans on hold. Are you planning to renovate a bathroom and wonder how much the project would cost? 

So, we’ve decided to help! We've gathered some tips, tricks and helpful information from our own dedicated staff, suppliers and experienced tradespeople. Using their expert information, we have compiled a full breakdown of factors that affect the cost of renovating a bathroom. 

Below, you’ll find information about costs per square foot or meter, a breakdown of how much various elements of the process cost, and also, some tips on cutting the price a little. 

Bathroom Renovation Cost Per Square Metre

To calculate the cost per square metre, we typically, look at the cost of tiles. That is the only element of the process that covers the entire area of a bathroom, after all. 

In this case, the average cost of tiles per square meter varies from €18/sq m to over €60/sq m. 

Taking those rates into consideration, we can estimate this aspect of your bathroom renovation cost at anything between €2,800 - €6,000. The final price will always depend on the bathroom size, of course. That said, the above price offers good guidance as to what quotes you could expect.  

The cost of tiling small bathrooms is obviously a lot lower. There is less space to work on, making the cost of tiles and labour less expensive.

So, on average, you can expect to spend around €1500 on such a project, depending on the size of your en-suite. 

The cost can be reduced further if you decide to tile only the bathroom floor. However, leaving only plasterboards on the walls can lead to many other costly problems down the line. So if not tiling the entire walls, we would recommend at least tiling above the sink and around the bath / shower area. 

Word of caution: In some cases, the project might also require additional building work. If for some reason, plasterboard behind your current tiles have become damp, you may need to remove it. You also may decide to change or re-plaster the ceiling to cover any cracks or old decoration, such as stippling. These tasks will increase the per square foot cost of the project. That said, they may be necessary and unavoidable.

Bathroom Renovation Cost - Breakdown

Let's take a look at a more detailed breakdown of what you could expect a bathroom renovation to cost in 2022. Overall, the renovation project may consist of the following elements:

Bathroom Design

Note, you will accrue this cost only if you choose a professional service to come up with your dream bathroom for you. The good news is that you don’t have to hire an expensive interior designer for this. 

Some providers offer this service for free, others charge anything from €50 to €350 for a virtual 3D design. Naturally, this element of the process isn’t required, and you can easily skip the cost by choosing all the other elements and the bathroom layout by yourself. 

Tiles

We’ve discussed the cost of re-tiling the bathroom in the previous section. You know that the cost may come in at anything between €1,500 - €6,000 depending on whether you tile an en-suite bathroom or the main bathroom. 

In some cases, you may also have to change the original plasterboards behind current tiles, and that will add to the cost. 

Toilet and Wash/Basin

Prices for toilets and basins vary greatly, depending on the design, brand, and quality. 

Moza Gold Taps

Rita White Countertop Basin

Our range of toilets begin at €215 with various styles and colours available. Wall-hung toilets are particularly popular at the minute, especially for anyone taking on major renovations or a new build. These toilets are mounted on an installation frame, hidden in the bathroom wall. As they suspend from the wall, the entire bathroom floor can be cleaned, making the room extremely hygienic. 

Wall Hung Toilet

Bath and / or Shower

The total price for these appliances will depend on the bathroom design you choose. You may decide to install only a walk-in shower with a tray, a bath with a shower, or both. Your shower may require only shower doors or an entire shower enclosure. Or you may decide to use a shower screen only. 

To give you an indication of prices for these options, shower doors cost between €250 to €800, depending on the size, style, and type of a product. 

Complete shower enclosures cost between €450 - €900 with the final price also depends on the size, quality, and enclosure type. 

Accessories

Towel rails, vanity units, mirrors etc. will add to the overall price. So will other accessories such as basic waste traps, drains, and more. 

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to quote a single price range for bathroom accessories, as there are so many types and options to choose from. Our range of accessories can be found online and in store today.

Labour

Finally, unless you do all the work yourself, you will have to hire professionals to put your new bathroom together. 

Hiring a plumber will cost between €30 per hour right up to €100 per hour, depending on the person you choose.  

The cost of hiring a tiler can be similar, and in either case, your professional should be able to estimate the time required for them to complete the project.

Overall, you have to expect the installation to be a major part of the overall project’s cost. 

Can You Reduce the Cost of a Bathroom Remodel?

The short answer is yes, you can. However, we have to be upfront in saying that you can only cut the cost by so much. 

Here are some ways you may consider:

Utilize Existing Plumbing

The more you decide to rearrange the bathroom, the greater the cost will be. This is largely due to the work required for replumbing. 

So, if possible, utilize the existing plumbing, greatly reducing the work a plumber and builders need to do. 

Ask for Professional Opinion

Sometimes, the devil (which in this case means a higher price) is in the detail. Unfortunately, not being a professional yourself, you might not realize it and unknowingly design a bathroom that’s more expensive to install.

So, another way to cut the cost is by having a professional to evaluate your project. 

The person might suggest improvements or solutions that will not affect the look and feel of your bathroom but will reduce the cost. 

Tiling

Unfortunately, having a full bathroom tiled is expensive. So, an option to cut the cost is by part tiling your bathroom. You can have tiles on the floor and wall with the shower, for example. Or feature floor tiles everywhere but wall tiles only to half of the wall’s length. Having said that, always consult a professional about the pros and cons of not having the entire bathroom suite tiled. 

Whatever you decide to do with your bathroom renovation, the team at Bathroom Store Ireland are always here and willing to offer our advice and expertise.

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