How Long Does It Take to Fit a Bathroom? Times by Job

How long it takes to fit a new bathroom

On average a new bathroom installation takes 5 to 10 days, and a smaller renovation can take as little as two days, Checkatrade says.

By type of bathroom, Checkatrade’s new bathroom cost guide gives 6 to 12 days for a small budget bathroom, 7 to 15 days for a standard bathroom and 9 to 16 days for a luxury bathroom.

A high end or complex new bathroom, one that takes 10 days or more, costs around £14,000 or more including materials, on Checkatrade’s figures.

Bathroom installation times by type of job

Each time below comes from the Checkatrade cost guide for that job.

Job	Typical time	Source
New bathroom installation	On average 5 to 10 days	Checkatrade new bathroom cost guide
Straightforward walk-in shower	1 to 3 days	Checkatrade walk-in shower guide
Converting a bath to a walk-in shower, or installing a wet room	3 to 7 days	Checkatrade walk-in shower guide
Wet room	Most installations take 4 to 7 days	Checkatrade wet room guide
Downstairs toilet	Most projects take around 4 to 10 days	Checkatrade downstairs toilet guide
En suite	Most installations take 1 to 3 weeks	Checkatrade en suite guide

Wet rooms and walk-in showers

Most wet room installations take 4 to 7 days, Checkatrade’s wet room installation cost guide says, depending on the existing bathroom, drainage alterations, floor strengthening, how complex the tiling is, waterproofing cure times and the size of the room. Small mosaic tiles take longer, the same guide says.

A straightforward walk-in shower takes 1 to 3 days, while converting a bath or installing a wet room takes 3 to 7 days, Checkatrade’s walk-in shower installation cost guide says.

En suites

Most en suite installations take 1 to 3 weeks, Checkatrade’s en suite bathroom installation cost guide says. A small, straightforward en suite may be quicker, while structural alterations, drainage work or a wet room take longer, and the same guide says to expect a few days of building site in the bedroom.

Downstairs toilets

Most downstairs toilet projects take around 4 to 10 days, Checkatrade’s downstairs toilet cost guide says, depending on the size, any structural work, the plumbing, tiling and flooring, ventilation and electrics, and whether an extension is involved. A tight space under the stairs takes longer to work in, the same guide says.

How long each fitting takes to install

Installing a single fitting takes hours rather than days, on the average times in Checkatrade’s new bathroom cost guide.

Fitting	Average time to install
Basin	1 to 2 hours
Toilet	2 to 3 hours
Shower	2 hours to replace one, up to 8 hours for a new installation
Heated towel rail	2 to 4 hours
Radiator	2 to 4 hours
Bath	3 to 5 hours
Shower enclosure	3 to 5 hours

A microcement finish takes 2 to 5 days, including drying and hardening time, on Checkatrade’s figures.

What makes a bathroom installation take longer

A typical bathroom installation takes around 5 to 10 days, or longer for a larger or complex project, Checkatrade’s bathroom fitter costs guide says, and the time depends on the size of the room, the tiling, plumbing alterations, electrics, drying times and materials. Large-format tiles, floor-to-ceiling tiling and intricate patterns take longer, the same guide says.

For an accurate quote, give each fitter the room size, the fixtures and whether the layout is changing, the same guide advises, so that every timescale you get back is for the same job.

Some bathroom fitters do most of the work themselves, while others coordinate electricians, plasterers and tilers, according to Checkatrade. Among the Nottingham bathroom fitters we compare, Goldswan Bathrooms in Arnold has its own team for the plumbing, electrics, tiling, plastering and flooring, with one project manager as the point of contact, and Matt Wregg Plumbing & Bathrooms in Carlton project manages and arranges the tradesmen who work alongside him.

What to expect while your bathroom is fitted

Expect dust and noise, multiple trades, temporary water interruptions and restricted use while the work goes on, Checkatrade’s bathroom fitter costs guide says. If it is your only bathroom, ask at the quote stage when the toilet, shower and basin will be out of action.

Booking a bathroom fitter and agreeing the schedule

September to December is a busy time for bathroom fitters, so spring and summer could be better for getting the fitter you want, Checkatrade’s new bathroom cost guide says. If you are applying to your council for a Disabled Facilities Grant towards the work, the council must give a decision within 6 months, GOV.UK says.

Confirm the schedule before you sign, with the timing and duration of each stage and a payment schedule, Checkatrade’s bathroom hiring guide advises.