5 ways to cut the cost of your new bathroom

Nearly two thirds of respondents to a survey of Which? members have been able to reduce the cost of their new bathroom. 

We asked homeowners who had updated their bathroom in the previous 10 years what tricks they had used to stay on budget. 

Read on to discover the five most popular tips from those who managed to cut costs.

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5 ways to get a cheaper bathroom

We asked those who saved money exactly how they did it – here are the five most commonly used tactics:

1. Find your own fitter - 31%
2. Source components yourself - 26%
3. Buy different components from different stores - 20% 
4. Negotiate the cost - 19%
5. Find alternatives to expensive materials - 7%

Find your own fitter

Our guide to bathroom installation reveals what customers think of the installation services provided by big national retailers. 

While it's often convenient to use a bathroom retailer's in-house fitting service, it's worth noting that 31% of our survey respondents saved money by finding their own bathroom fitter. It's a particularly smart move if you develop a relationship with the trader that spans multiple projects. 

To find a reliable, recommended local bathroom fitter in your area, head to Which? Trusted Traders. All our traders have been through a rigorous assessment by expert assessors.

Source components yourself and buy from different stores

Sourcing your own components for your bathroom could well save you a tidy sum. Just because you're buying your bathroom suite from one company doesn't mean you need to use them for all the extras as well. Just make sure everything will look good together and arrive in time for your installation.

As one Which? member told us: 'We checked prices online, and if we could get fixtures and fittings cheaper somewhere other than our bathroom company, we did. But for the main things, we stuck with the bathroom company, for consistency with the quality and the timing of the delivery.'

Another commented: 'We checked components online and then asked our independent company to match the prices we'd found.'

Want to keep your new bathroom looking great? Read our guide to bathroom maintenance: tips for keeping your bathroom in good shape

Negotiate the cost

It's always a good idea to collect two or three quotes from different people and places. This will help you understand what is a fair price, and you can present them as part of your negotiations for a lower cost. 

One member said they made 'a major saving' by sourcing a lot of the supplies online and getting a local supplier to match the prices.

Another member decided to project-manage the bathroom renovation themselves: 'Initially I tried three or four bathroom fitters and companies, but they didn't optimise the space.

'Instead, I cooperated with a local experienced builder who had reliable plumber contacts. They can also introduce you to plumbing suppliers who can guide you to the better quality products. 

'I ended up doing the basic design myself with graph paper and a supplier’s catalogue. This was approved by the builder and his plumber who ironed out anything that wouldn't work – making sure the cabinets align with the existing pipework, for example. Two years later, there's not much that I would change.'

Our guide on how to plan and buy a new bathroom suite includes data from the Building Cost Information Service on typical prices for a new bathroom

Find alternatives to expensive materials 

Materials like marble and granite can be incredibly expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there. Try swapping in less expensive materials in these three key bathroom areas:

• Countertops - try laminate instead of quartz or granite as this can achieve the same style you're looking for, but with a lower price tag.
• Tiles - rather than using expensive natural stones like marble or limestone, try using ceramic or porcelain tiles instead.
• Flooring - hardwood or stone floors might be desirable, but laminate or vinyl flooring can save a lot of money, and replicate the designs found in more natural materials.

Beyond this, you don’t necessarily need every bathroom component, fixture and fitting to be the most expensive or highest quality option. Choose one or two items that create a strong impression and spend a little more on those, while saving on other parts.

Looking for inspiration? Discover decor ideas and tips in our guide on how to design a bathroom and check out 5 bathroom trends for 2025

Other things to consider

Durability and value for money

As well as thinking about how much a bathroom will cost overall, it's important to think about whether you're getting value for money. A cheap bathroom suite may not be worth the saving if it soon breaks or shows signs of wear and tear.

In June 2023, we asked bathroom customers about the durability of their bathroom suite – only three big brands were rated five stars out of five for durability.

Find out how people rate major bathroom retailers, including B&Q, Homebase and Victoria Plum, in our guide to the best and worst bathroom brands

Update your current bathroom

If you're on a really tight budget, you might be better off updating parts of your bathroom rather than replacing it completely.

Cleaning and regrouting tiles, for example, can transform a tired old bathroom, especially if it's harbouring mould.

You can buy specialist pens to colour over old grout once it's been cleaned with an anti-mould spray, or for bigger jobs you may need to remove and replace the grout completely.

Retiling key areas, such as above or around a sink, can refresh a tired bathroom, as can a new lick of paint. Make sure you use bathroom paint, which is formulated to resist moisture, humidity and stains. If you can, buy anti-mould paint to stave off future problems.

Adding better storage units to your bathroom can declutter and bring a new lease of life. You might find some bargains at non-specialist retailers, such as Ikea or Dunelm.

Lastly, don't forget accessories – a new towel rail or toilet roll holder could make all the difference. 

Find out more in our guide to updating a bathroom on a budget

Our research on bathrooms

In September 2023, we asked 1,129 Which? members about the bathroom suite (bath, toilet and sink) and bathroom furniture they had bought in the previous 10 years, asking about their experiences of trying to save money and their expectations and results around costs.