Installing bathroom plumbing

Whether you’re installing a whole new bathroom or refurbishing an old one, plumbing is the most important part and should be installed by a professional.

Hire a plumber to install
bathroom fittings

Most bathroom plumbing work is complicated and not suitable for DIY. If you make a mistake while plumbing you can cause extensive water damage and may end up paying more to have mistakes put right by a professional plumber. You can still work with your plumber to plan and achieve your dream bathroom though – here are some things to consider.

Tips for bathroom plumbing installation

If you're designing a new bathroom you should make sure that you start planning in advance. Generally it is easier and therefore cheaper to have all the bathroom plumbing installed before bathroom tiling and flooring are carried out to avoid the disruption that installing pipes or underfloor heating will entail. For bathroom refurbishment, it can be useful to consider using parts of the existing bathroom plumbing instead of removing it and installing new plumbing. Therefore it is advisable to design your bathroom plans in a way that does not require extensive changes with the existing water pipes. Also you should make sure you've chosen and got all the bathroom fixtures before you start working on the plumbing so you can see if they fit with your installations before it is too late.

How to find a contractor for bathroom plumbing

When you're looking for a contractor to install your bathroom plumbing you should consider the plumber's skills and experience. Ask for proof of their skills and experience, such as the National Vocational Qualification or the City and Guilds qualification and find out about other bathroom projects they have taken on. Another way to verify the contractor's skills is to ask for references and to call them to see if they were satisfied with their work. For minor repairs and emergencies you will need to find a plumber who is available immediately but it’s worth taking the time to compare quotes for a more extensive bathroom plumbing project.

How much does installing bathroom plumbing cost?

The price of bathroom plumbing includes the labour and material costs. A full bathroom refit can cost from £200 - £1200 depending on the size of the bathroom as well as on the amount of work that is required. If radiators or underfloor heating have to be installed, the work will be more expensive than simply installing the standard bathroom fittings like a shower, basin and a toilet would be. Also, fitting a new bathroom will usually be a little bit cheaper as no old pipes have to be removed. The average labour price for installing new bathroom plumbing would be around £300 plus material costs.