Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting: Costs, Timescales & How to Get Quotes

A new bathroom or kitchen can transform your home — improving functionality, adding value, and making daily life more enjoyable. But fitting projects are expensive, disruptive, and involve coordinating multiple trades (plumbers, electricians, tilers, carpenters).

So how much should you expect to pay for a bathroom or kitchen installation? How long does it take? What's included in a fitter's quote? And how do you find someone reliable who delivers a professional finish without cutting corners? This guide explains bathroom and kitchen fitting costs, what to look for in installers, timescales, and how SpecConnect can connect you with verified fitters quickly.

How much does bathroom fitting cost?

• Budget bathroom (basic suite, standard tiles, acrylic bath): £3,000-£5,000
• Mid-range bathroom (good-quality suite, ceramic tiles, shower enclosure): £5,000-£8,000
• High-end bathroom (designer suite, porcelain tiles, walk-in shower, underfloor heating): £8,000-£15,000+
• Bathroom fitter day rate: £200-£350
• Full bathroom installation (labour only): £1,500-£3,500
• Tiling (walls and floor): £30-£80/m²
• Underfloor heating: £600-£1,200
• London and South East: Add 20-30%

How much does kitchen fitting cost?

• Budget kitchen (flat-pack units, laminate worktops): £3,000-£6,000
• Mid-range kitchen (rigid units, quartz or solid wood worktops): £6,000-£12,000
• High-end kitchen (bespoke units, stone worktops, integrated appliances): £12,000-£30,000+
• Kitchen fitter day rate: £200-£350
• Full kitchen installation (labour only): £1,500-£4,000
• Quartz or granite worktop (supply and fit): £1,500-£4,000
• Gas connection (hob): £150-£400 (Gas Safe engineer required)

What's included in a fitter's quote?

• Labour for installation (unit assembly, worktop fitting, plumbing, tiling)
• First-fix plumbing and electrics (rough pipework, cable runs)
• Second-fix (connecting taps, appliances, lighting)
• Tiling (walls and floor)
• Waste removal (old units, packaging)
• Timescales (start and completion dates)

What's usually NOT included: kitchen or bathroom suite (you supply unless agreed), structural work (knocking down walls, moving drains), plastering or painting, flooring, and appliances. Always clarify what's in scope before work starts.

How long does bathroom or kitchen fitting take?

Bathroom installation

• Small ensuite (shower, toilet, basin): 3-5 days
• Standard bathroom (bath, shower, toilet, basin, tiling): 5-7 days
• Large bathroom (separate bath and shower, underfloor heating): 7-10 days

Kitchen installation

• Galley or small kitchen (6-8 units): 4-6 days
• Medium kitchen (10-15 units, island): 6-10 days
• Large kitchen (20+ units, complex layout): 10-14 days

What qualifications should a bathroom or kitchen fitter have?

• Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million)
• City & Guilds in Plumbing (if doing plumbing work)
• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (if doing electrical work, or subcontract to qualified electrician)
• Gas Safe registration (if connecting gas hobs or boilers) — MUST be Gas Safe registered for gas work
• Portfolio and references — photos of completed bathrooms and kitchens

Common bathroom and kitchen problems and how to avoid them

• Poor waterproofing (bathrooms): ensure fitter uses tanking or waterproof boards (Marmox, Wedi) in shower areas
• Wonky tiles or lippage: walls should be plastered flat before tiling; use tile levelling systems for large-format tiles
• Kitchen units not level: fitter should use spirit level and adjustable legs
• Leaks after installation: all plumbing should be pressure-tested before tiling or boarding over
• Incorrect measurements (worktops don't fit): worktop templating should only be done AFTER units are fully installed and level

Building Regulations for bathrooms and kitchens

Electrical work (new circuits, lighting, extractor fans) is notifiable under Part P. Part F requires mechanical ventilation in bathrooms without openable windows and extraction in kitchens. Gas work connecting hobs or cookers MUST be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Your fitter should handle notifications or subcontract to qualified tradespeople.

How SpecConnect connects you with verified bathroom and kitchen fitters

Finding reliable fitters usually means phone calls, vague quotes, and waiting for site visits. SpecConnect removes that friction. You upload details of your project — photos of the space, measurements, your chosen suite or units. The app shares these with verified bathroom and kitchen fitters covering your area. Most SpecConnect users receive competitive fitting quotes within a few hours. It covers 35+ trade categories beyond bathroom and kitchen fitting — electricians, plumbers, tilers, builders, and more.