Compare · Updated July 2026

Bathroom Extractor Fan Installation: Cost & Options (UK)

A good extractor fan keeps a bathroom free of steam, mould and damp. In 2026, bathroom extractor fan installation in the UK costs £80-£250 supply and fit for a wall or window axial fan, and £150-£350 for an inline loft-mounted fan. A like-for-like replacement is £70-£150. This guide compares axial, inline and centrifugal fans, timer versus humidistat, and what Building Regs require.

Fitted £80-£250 Inline £150-£350 Axial vs inline
Get My 3 Free Electrician Quotes
60 seconds · No spam · No obligation
Local ✅ UK Electricians
💬 Free, no-obligation quotes
You decide who to hire
🆓 Always Free for Homeowners

Bathroom extractor fan cost 2026

Two numbers decide the bill: which fan, and whether an electrician is running a new supply or reusing an existing one. A straight swap on an existing circuit is the cheapest job on this page; a new fan in an internal bathroom with ducting to the eaves is the dearest.

Fan typeSupply and fitBest for
Axial, wall or windowยฃ80โ€“ยฃ250Short duct runs straight through an outside wall
Inline / loft-mountedยฃ150โ€“ยฃ350Longer ducting or an internal bathroom; quieter in the room itself
CentrifugalQuoted per jobLong duct runs where an axial fan would struggle to shift the air
Like-for-like replacementยฃ70โ€“ยฃ150Swapping an existing fan on the same supply and in the same position

What the fan itself costs

Buying the unit separately is worth understanding, because it is the part of the quote that varies most by specification — labour for a like-for-like swap barely moves.

Fan unit onlyPriceWorth knowing
Basic axialยฃ15โ€“ยฃ40Cheapest option; runs on the light switch
Timer or humidistatยฃ40โ€“ยฃ80A humidistat clears steam more reliably than a timer
Quiet or inlineยฃ80โ€“ยฃ150For internal bathrooms and extended duct runs

Labour is on top of these figures. Fan wiring in a bathroom should be fitted and certified by an electrician, and venting into a loft space rather than to outside is not Building Regs compliant — see our electrician cost guide for hourly and day rates.

Free CalculatorElectrician Cost Calculator →Related GuideBathroom Fitting Cost UK 2026 →

Bathroom Extractor Fan Options Compared

The right fan depends on the duct route, the room and how quiet you want it. Axial fans suit short runs through an outside wall; inline and centrifugal fans suit longer ducting or internal bathrooms. Here is how the options compare in 2026.

Axial wall or window fan

Cheapest and most common. Fan £15-£80, supply and fit £80-£250. Good for short duct runs straight through an outside wall.

Inline / loft-mounted fan

£150-£350 fitted. Mounted in the loft with ducting to a ceiling vent; quieter in the room and better where there is no outside wall.

Centrifugal fan

For longer duct runs where an axial fan would struggle. More pressure to push air out, useful on internal bathrooms with extended ducting.

Timer vs humidistat

A timer runs on for a set time after the light; a humidistat switches on with humidity. Humidistat models cost more but clear steam more reliably.

Fan unit only

£15-£120. Basic axial from £15-£40, timer or humidistat £40-£80, quiet or inline £80-£150. Labour is on top unless you fit it yourself.

What Building Regs require

New bathrooms need mechanical extraction to outside at a set rate. An electrician should fit and certify fan wiring; venting into a loft is not compliant.

Common Questions

Supply and fit for a wall or window axial fan is £80-£250. An inline loft-mounted fan is £150-£350 fitted. A like-for-like replacement is £70-£150.
An axial fan suits short runs through an outside wall; an inline or centrifugal fan suits longer ducting or internal bathrooms. A humidistat clears steam more reliably.
For a new circuit or a fan in a wet zone, yes, and the work should be certified. A like-for-like swap on an existing supply is simpler but still best done safely.
A humidistat switches on with humidity and clears steam more reliably, while a timer runs for a set time after the light. Humidistat models cost a little more.
No. Building Regs require extraction to outside; venting into a loft causes condensation and damp. Duct it through a wall, soffit or roof tile vent.
Compare on the fan type and controls, the duct route, whether wiring is certified, and the total fitted price. BestBuilders matches you with vetted electricians for free quotes.

Related Guides

More bathroom cost and comparison guides.

Bathroom Fitting Cost

Full 2026 bathroom fitting prices.

View →

Bathroom Tiling Cost

What tiling a bathroom costs in 2026.

View →

All Compare Guides

Side-by-side comparisons for every trade.

View →

Get 3 Free Electrician Quotes

Tell us your postcode and a few details. We will match you with up to 3 vetted UK electricians within 24 hours - free, no obligation.

Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team · Last updated: 20 August 2026 · Next scheduled review: November 2026 · See our editorial standards.
๐Ÿ’ฌ Not sure about something? Ask a building expert
Planning permission, costs, building regs, choosing a trade โ€” free answers from our editorial team, published for other homeowners too.
Get an expert answer →