How Much Does a Bespoke Bathroom Cost in the UK?

Quick Takeaway

While there is no definitive cost for a bespoke bathroom without knowing further details, at a minimum you’ll be looking at £10,000 for a small basic design. Bathroom experts can help you to maximise your budget so start the process with a visit to the showroom. 

Table of Contents

What Makes a Bathroom “Bespoke”?
Room Size and Why It Matters More Than You’d Expect
Functionality and Technology: What Are You Actually Installing?
Setting Your Design Material Specifications
How to Use the High/Low Approach
A Rough Cost Framework
FAQs

Let’s get straight to it: if you came here hoping for a nice round figure with a pound sign in front of it, we’re sorry to disappoint. The honest answer to “how much does a bespoke bathroom cost?” is… it depends. It’s very much a “how long is a piece of string?” situation, and anyone who gives you a confident number without asking a single question probably isn’t worth your time.

That said, we understand that walking into a design conversation with no budget framework at all is uncomfortable. It makes it genuinely difficult to get started. So what we’ve done here is walk you through the factors that drive cost in a bespoke bathroom project. We may not be able to give you a magic number, but we can help you ask the right questions and build a realistic picture for yourself.

What Makes a Bathroom “Bespoke”?

Before we get into figures, it’s worth being clear on what bespoke actually means, because it gets used rather loosely in the industry. A bespoke bathroom isn’t just one with nice tiles. It’s a bathroom designed and installed around your specific space, your lifestyle, and your aesthetic preferences. It typically involves a dedicated design process, specified products (rather than off-the-shelf packages), and professional installation by experienced tradespeople.

That’s different from a bathroom “renovation” where someone swaps a suite like for like. Bespoke means the brief starts with you, not with a catalogue. And that distinction matters enormously for cost, which is why a bespoke bathroom in the UK can range from around £10,000 to well over £50,000 depending on scope.

Room Size and Why It Matters More Than You’d Expect

The square meterage of your bathroom is one of the most direct cost drivers, and it influences spending in ways that aren’t always obvious.

More floor space means more tiles, more labour, more waterproofing, more preparation. A larger room also tends to invite more furniture. For example a freestanding bath alongside a walk-in shower, which adds both product and installation costs. But don’t assume that a small bathroom is automatically cheaper. A tiny en-suite packed with designer products can cost more than a generously sized family bathroom with mid-range finishes.

The more useful question to ask yourself is: what do I actually want this room to do, and is the space capable of doing it? A good designer will help you understand what’s achievable in your footprint before you commit to anything.

Functionality and Technology: What Are You Actually Installing?

Once you know your space, the next big variable is what goes into it. The range here is considerable. A basic specification including basin, WC, bath, and shower from a reputable mid-range brand looks very different in cost from a thermostatic shower system with multiple outlets, an integrated sound system, underfloor heating, and a statement freestanding bath.

Technology adds up quickly. Digital shower controls, illuminated mirrors with demister pads, heated towel rails on thermostatic valves are all worthwhile additions that individually might seem modest, but collectively move the budget meaningfully. None of them are frivolous if they genuinely suit how you use the space, so plan for the costs if you want these features. 

Here are some of the functional elements that most commonly affect cost in a bespoke bathroom:

• Shower enclosure or wet room formation — a frameless glass enclosure or a fully tiled wet room both require significant waterproofing and potentially structural work.
• Brassware and hardware finish — chrome is generally the most accessible price wise. Brushed brass, brushed nickel, and matte black command a premium, but are bang on trend.
• Underfloor heating — electric systems are relatively affordable to install in a bathroom; heat pump systems are more complex and expensive but increasing in popularity.

Setting Your Design Material Specifications

Tiles are often where the budget conversation gets interesting. The range in tile pricing is genuinely vast. You can spend £15 per square metre or £150 per square metre, and while the visual difference can be significant, it isn’t always proportional to the price difference. What matters is choosing materials that suit the design intention and the room’s practical requirements.

Natural stone like marble is beautiful but requires sealing, and some ongoing maintenance. Large format porcelain can achieve a similar aesthetic at a lower material cost, with less upkeep. 

The same principle applies to fitted furniture. A bespoke vanity unit made to measure for your space will cost more than an off-the-shelf alternative. However, you’ll feel the benefit day to day with optimal storage and seamless aesthetics. 

How to Use the High/Low Approach

One of the most practical tools for managing a bespoke bathroom budget is what designers call the high/low approach. The idea is simple: you identify one or two areas where you want to allocate chunks of your budget and make more value conscious choices elsewhere.

In a bathroom, this might mean investing in a genuinely excellent shower system and being more selective on the towel rail or the accessory set. Or it might mean splurging on statement floor tiles and keeping the wall tiles more simple and understated.

The high/low approach isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about being deliberate with where the premium spend will be most effectual. A good bespoke bathroom designer will help you identify those moments.

Design focus tips

On the subject of allocating budget, you may find our practical suggestions helpful:

• Simplify the layout where you can. Moving drainage and waste pipes is expensive. If your current layout is broadly workable, designing around it rather than against it can save thousands without compromising the end result.
• Invest in grout and silicone. This sounds deeply unglamorous, but the finishing details make an enormous visual difference. Good quality grout in the right colour, applied neatly, can make a standard tile look considerably more expensive.
• Don’t underestimate lighting. Well specified lighting is one of the most cost effective ways to elevate a bathroom design. Simply look at our trademark LED recessed shelving features, which always look stunning while being super functional.  

A Rough Cost Framework

To give you a starting point (and we stress these are indicative ranges, not quotes!) this illustrative table shows a broad cost framework. It’s based on our experience working with clients across Surrey and the South East.

Regional variation matters here too. Labour costs in London and the South East are generally higher than in many other parts of the UK. 

If you’re considering a bespoke bathroom and you’d like a proper conversation about what’s achievable within your budget, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our showroom or get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a bespoke bathroom add value to my home? 

A well designed, properly installed bathroom with high quality materials generally does add value. However this is often tied into how long you intend to stay in the property. We’d always encourage you to update your bathroom because you want to enjoy the space, not purely as an investment. 

How long does a bespoke bathroom project take? 

Design and specification typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the brief and how quickly decisions are made. The installation phase for a full bathroom refurbishment is usually one to three weeks, though this can be longer for larger spaces or where structural work is involved.

Do I need multiple suppliers, or can Stone & Chrome handle the whole process? 

At Stone & Chrome, we offer a complete design and install service. You don’t need an architect for a bathroom project unless it involves planning permission or structural sign-off.