How To · Updated May 2026

How to Hire a Trusted Bathroom Fitter in 2026 (UK)

Q: How much should a bathroom fitter cost in 2026?

A typical UK bathroom refit in 2026 costs £6,000–£12,000 labour-only, or £9,000–£18,000 labour plus mid-range suite. London adds 30–40%; the North runs 10–15% under average.

Q: What's the difference between Gas Safe and Part P?

Gas Safe is the mandatory register for anyone working on gas appliances or pipework. Part P is the Building Regulations electrical safety requirement — any new circuit in a bathroom must be installed by a Part P registered electrician.

Q: Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new bathroom?

Like-for-like replacement usually no. Adding a new bathroom, moving the soil stack, or installing a new circuit triggers Building Regs. Most fitters file via a Competent Person Scheme.

Q: How long does a full bathroom refit take?

Typical timeline is 7–12 working days on site for a standard 4m² bathroom. Add 3–4 days for wet-room conversions or large family bathrooms.

Q: Should I supply the suite myself or let the fitter?

Either works. If the fitter supplies they typically take 10–20% mark-up but own warranty claims. If you supply yourself you save on margin but inherit warranty hassle.

Hiring the wrong bathroom fitter is the single most expensive home-improvement mistake in the UK in 2026 — the average remediation cost for a botched bathroom is £6,400, and ~15% of homeowners face it. The fix is process. Ask the right 9 vetting questions, demand 5 specific documents, structure the payments in stages that protect you, and you'll filter out 95% of cowboys before they ever quote. This guide is the practical checklist we use to vet every BestBuilders-listed bathroom installer — use it for any contractor, member of our network or not.

9 vetting questions 5 must-have documents Sample payment schedule

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By the BestBuilders Editorial Team

Researched, written & fact-checked. Reviewed 17 May 2026. How we research & fact-check

Step-by-Step

The 6-Step Hiring Process

Step 1 — Define your scope & budget

Before contacting fitters, write a one-page spec: bath or shower, tiling type and area, suite brand, who's supplying what (you or them), and your hard budget ceiling. Three quotes for the same scope is meaningful. Three quotes for vague scopes is noise.

Step 2 — Get 3 quotes from 3 sources

Best results from mixing sources: 1 from a vetted directory (BestBuilders / Checkatrade / Trustmark), 1 from a personal recommendation, 1 from a known local. Avoid leaflet-only or Facebook Marketplace-only fitters — zero accountability.

Step 3 — Run the 9 vetting questions

Cover insurance, gas/electrical qualifications, warranty, payment terms, references, sub-contracting, waste disposal, the actual person on site, and how variations are priced. Full question list below.

Step 4 — Insist on the 5 documents

Public liability insurance certificate, Gas Safe / Part P qualifications, written quote with scope and exclusions, written contract, and example warranty terms. No documents = no booking.

Step 5 — Visit a recent job

Ask to see (in person) a bathroom completed in the last 12 months. Photos are easy to fake; in-person inspection of tiling cuts, silicone neatness and sealant lines tells you everything about workmanship.

Step 6 — Structure payments to protect you

Never pay more than 25% up front for a typical £6k–£12k bathroom. Stage payments tied to milestones (rip-out done, first-fix done, tiling done, snag-free signoff). Hold a 5% retention for 4 weeks after completion.

The 9 Vetting Questions

Ask Every Quote

1. What's your public liability insurance cover?

Minimum £2m. Ask for the certificate and check the policy is in date.

2. Who'll actually do the gas and electrical work?

Gas Safe registered plumber for boiler work; Part P qualified electrician for any new circuits in the bathroom zone.

3. What guarantee do you offer on workmanship?

Expect 2 years minimum on labour, 12 months on tiling. Insured-backed warranties (via TrustMark or IWA) protect you if the fitter goes bust.

4. Will you sub-contract any work?

If yes, who? What's their insurance? Sub-contracted work is the #1 cause of inconsistent workmanship on bathrooms.

5. Who handles building waste and skip hire?

Make sure it's included in the price (£250–£450 typical) so it doesn't become a surprise extra.

6. Will you be on site the whole job, or supervising remotely?

Many small firms juggle 2–3 jobs at once. Insist on the named lead being on site at least 80% of working days.

7. How do you price variations or upgrades?

Agree the day rate (£220–£340 typical, 2026) and the mark-up on supply (typically 12–20%) in writing before signing.

8. Can I have 3 contactable references?

Three projects completed in the last 6–18 months — phone-callable, not just star-ratings on a directory.

9. What's your payment schedule?

Reject deposits over 25%, demands for full payment up front, or cash-only schedules. Bank transfers only.

Red Flags

The 7 Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

No public liability insurance certificate, or one that's expired
Cash-only or large up-front deposit demand (over 30%)
No written quote — verbal numbers and a handshake
No Gas Safe number when boiler / gas work is in scope
No address, no VAT number, no website beyond Facebook Marketplace
Cannot produce a job completed within the last 12 months for inspection
Pressure tactics: “price only valid this week” or “I can start Monday if you decide now”

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Frequently Asked

Common Questions

How much should a bathroom fitter cost in 2026?+

A typical UK bathroom refit in 2026 costs £6,000–£12,000 labour-only, or £9,000–£18,000 labour plus mid-range suite, tiles and fittings. London adds 30–40%; the North runs 10–15% under national average. Use day rates of £220–£340 to sanity-check quotes.

What's the difference between Gas Safe and Part P?+

Gas Safe is the mandatory register for anyone working on gas appliances or pipework in the UK (replacement of boilers, gas pipework moves). Part P is the Building Regulations electrical safety requirement — any new circuit in a bathroom or kitchen must be installed by a Part P registered electrician. Most bathroom fitters carry the plumber side themselves and bring in a Part P sparky for electrics.

Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new bathroom?+

Like-for-like replacement: usually no. Adding a new bathroom (e.g. en-suite in a converted room), moving the soil stack, or installing a new circuit triggers Building Regs. Most fitters file via a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) self-certification — budget £80–£220 for the notification.

How long does a full bathroom refit take?+

Typical timeline is 7–12 working days on site for a standard 4m² bathroom: 1 day rip-out, 1–2 days first-fix plumbing/electrics, 2–3 days tiling, 1 day suite installation, 1 day grouting and silicone, 1 day snagging. Add 3–4 days for wet-room conversions or large family bathrooms.

Should I supply the suite myself or let the fitter?+

Either works, but if the fitter supplies they typically take a 10–20% mark-up — worth it because they then own warranty claims if a tap leaks. If you supply yourself you save on margin but inherit the warranty hassle. For premium brands (Hansgrohe, Geberit), self-supply usually wins. For Wickes / B&Q range, fitter supply wins for hassle reduction.

What happens if something leaks after they leave?+

A reputable fitter returns to fix it under their workmanship warranty (typically 2 years). If they refuse, you have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — they must perform the service with reasonable care and skill. Hold a 5% retention for 4 weeks post-completion to give yourself leverage; this stops 90% of disputes from escalating.

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