How Long Does a Bathroom Installation Take? A Day-by-Day Guide

One of the first questions anyone planning a new bathroom asks is how long they'll be without one. The honest answer: it depends on the size and spec, but most bathroom refits take roughly one to two weeks.

Typical timescales

2026 UK cost guides put it at roughly:

• Simple refit (like-for-like suite, minimal tiling): around 5 days
• Standard bathroom (new layout or more tiling): around 6–8 days
• Premium or complex (moving walls, wet rooms, underfloor heating): up to about 15 days

We'll give you a clear timeframe with your quote.

What happens, day by day

Strip-out

Old suite, tiles and flooring come out, and the waste goes. This is usually the first day, sometimes into the second.

First fix

New pipework, wastes and any electrics are run to where the new fittings will go. If the layout's changing, this is where most of the time goes.

Walls, boarding and plastering

Walls are boarded or plastered, and any shower areas are waterproofed. This needs time to dry before tiling.

Tiling and flooring

Usually the longest single stage, especially with large-format or patterned tiles, or tiling floor to ceiling.

Second fix

Toilet, basin, bath or shower, taps, towel rail and lighting are fitted and connected.

Finishing

Sealant, final checks, testing everything for leaks, and a tidy-up. We don't call it done until you're happy.

What makes it take longer

• Moving things around. Relocating a toilet means moving the soil pipe, which adds work.
• Surprises behind the old tiles. Rotten floorboards, old leaks or poor wiring come to light at strip-out.
• Waiting on products. We like to have everything on site before we start, so the job doesn't stall waiting for a delivery.
• Multiple trades. If you're coordinating a separate plumber, tiler, electrician and plasterer, gaps between them add days. We manage all of that in one job.

A recent one

The photos here are from a recent job: pink vertical tiles, a terrazzo-effect floor, a white vanity with a matte black tap, and a matching matte black heated towel rail. Have a look at more in our gallery.

How much will it cost?

2026 guides put a mid-range bathroom in the North West at around £5,900, with the UK range running from about £3,500 to £15,000 depending on spec. Our bathroom cost guide explains what drives the price.

Planning a bathroom in Preston, Chorley, Leyland or nearby? See our bathroom installations page, call 07949 075721, or use the form below for a free quote.