How Much Does a Wet Room Cost?

Want to know how much a wet room installation costs?

On average, you can expect installing a wet room to cost between £4,000 – £7,000, but there are various factors that will affect the final price.

We've created a complete guide covering all wet room bathroom costs. We consider different sizes, finishes, and wet room flooring, so that anyone can calculate a price for a wet room installation and hiring wet room specialists.

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Wet Room Installation Cost

The cost of a wet room is on average around £4,000 – £7,000.

This depends a lot on the size of the room. Installing a wet room is not an easy job, and there are a lot of different parts to it. From tanking the bathroom to prevent water leaking to tiling and sinking pipes — it is not a typical DIY job.

Wet rooms are fast becoming a desirable feature to have in homes and can even add a considerable amount of value to your home. You should try to keep the design similar to the rest of your home, as it could look out of place.

You will need to make sure that the floor has a slight gradient so that the water runs to the drain correctly. If this gradient is not done correctly, you could be left with standing water, and it could cause all sorts of problems in the long run.

This is where a professional contractor comes in best, as they will have experience of ensuring the water trail is correct.

Installing a wet room isn’t something that you can do yourself; you will need to hire a professional. The job will usually take around 4-7 days.

Wet Room Prices

Below is a list of the prices that you can expect to pay for the different elements of a wet room installation job.

Supply Only Costs

Below is a list of all of the supply costs involved with building a wet room. There may be some additional costs if you want to add extra items, such as a toilet to your wet room. We will go over these additional costs in the next section of this guide.

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Additional Wet Room Costs

There are several additional costs that you may need to consider for a wet room installation. A number of extras can be added to improve a basic wet room.

These additional costs can include:

• Underfloor heating - £300 – £400
• Tiling a shower- £300 – £400
• Toilet installation- £250 – £400
• Bath installation - £500 – £700

What is the Cost of Installing a Wet Room?

Let's take a look at labour costs and timescales.

The average cost for labour when installing a wet room is usually around £1,700 – £2,000. However, several factors can affect the labour costs for this type of job. This can include the location of your property and how many contractors are needed for your job.

Depending on the size and difficulty of the job, you may need more contractors for the work, or the work may take longer. This can result in higher labour costs due to the additional labourers or extra time on the job.

Contractors for this type of job will usually charge around £150 – £200 per day, and the job usually takes an average of approximately 3 – 6 days. You will usually need at least two contractors for this type of job.

The location of your property can also affect the cost that you will pay for the work. Those located in the London area can expect to pay around £30 – £100 more per day for the cost of labour than those located in the North or other parts of the UK.

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What Impacts the Cost of a Wet Room?

Several factors can affect the cost of installing a wet room in your home. Below is a list of some of the main factors that can alter the price you’re going to pay for the job:

Extent of the Job

The more complicated the job is, the longer you can expect it to take. Also, if there is a lot of additional work needed, such as additional pipework, or if you are having intricate furnishings put in, this can also result in the job taking longer. If the job takes longer or is more difficult, then you can expect to pay higher labour costs.

Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the cost that you will pay for the work. People who are located in the London area can expect to pay around £30 – £100 more per day for the cost of labour than those located in the North or other parts of the UK.

How Many Contractors Are Needed

The installation of a wet room usually requires a minimum of 2 contractors in order to complete the job effectively. For more demanding jobs or larger jobs, you may need more contractors.

Also, if you are having any speciality work done, you may need to hire additional specialists for this work. The average cost for a wet room installer is around £150 – £200 per day. So, you can see how the labour costs can add up if more contractors are involved.

Type and Quality of Furnishings

The type of furnishing that you choose can affect the overall cost of the job. You may choose to have basic furnishings or more luxury furnishings, all of which will differ in price and will affect how much you’re going to pay for the entire job.

What's Involved in Installing a Wet Room?

Installing a wet room is not an easy job. It could end up costing you a lot of time and money sourcing all of the things that you need to get the job done. It also takes a very long time to install a wet room, especially if you are doing it alone.

It is important to hire a professional plumber to fit and install your products to ensure that they are installed correctly and to avoid the possibility of harmful leaks or blockages that may be caused due to poor installation.

Hiring a qualified professional means they will have the tools, equipment, and experience to install your wet room to a high standard, without any issues afterwards.

To find the right bathroom fitter and the best price, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from multiple contractors. With MyJobQuote, you can get quotes from wet room installers near you which are fast, free, with no-obligation to go ahead.

Here’s a brief overview of the process you can expect when you hire an experienced professional to install your wet room:

Before the Job Starts

• Initial Survey & Design — The contractor will assess the space where you want your wet room installed, checking the walls and floors will allow for the correct drainage and ventilation. They will also work with you to design your wet room and choose the fixtures and finishes.
• Checking the Floor & Structure — The floor needs to be solid and level to be suitable for waterproofing, so your contractor will check this and make sure any weak spots are reinforced before work begins.
• Planning the Drainage & Plumbing — Planning the layout of the plumbing and drainage pipes is essential to make sure the wet room has the correct fall angles to make sure the water drains efficiently.

During the Job

• Preparing the Room — If converting a current bathroom, any previous bathroom fixtures and plumbing are removed, and the room is stripped back to a bare structure, ready for installation.
• Installing the Waterproofing (Tanking) — The space needs to be completely watertight, so specialist membranes and waterproofing products are applied to the floor and walls.
• Installing the Drain & Flooring — Using special tray forms or carefully laid screed, the floor around the drain is laid with either to create the necessary slope to ensure water flows into the drain, and the rest of the wet room floor is laid.
• Installing the Plumbing & Fixtures — The chosen fixtures, i.e. the shower, toilet, and basin, are all plumbed in, and other features such as underfloor heating are connected.

After the Job

• Sealing & Finishing Touches — All the grouting and silicon are applied to complete the waterproofing and final checks for any leaks are carried out.
• Ventilation & Safety Checks — Checks are carried out to ensure the new wet room has adequate ventilation and the floor surfaces are slip-resistant.
• Certification & Guarantee — Finally, you should receive any appropriate guarantees and certification for the plumbing and electrical work, where applicable.

Benefits of Installing a Wet Room

There are several benefits to a wet room. Here is a list of some of the main advantages of installing a wet room in your home:

Adds a Touch of Luxury

The sleek and modern style of a wet room can add a lot of extra luxury to your home. There are many additional features that you can add to your wet room to make it feel even more luxurious such as underfloor heating or luxury décor.

Completely Waterproof

When a wet room is installed correctly, it is entirely waterproof. This provides reassurance that water won’t leak through the walls or floor.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Wet rooms are deemed easier to clean than a traditional bathroom. This is particularly true when the room has a wall hung toilet and sink. This provides easy access for cleaning the floor.

Increase the Value of Your Home

When you add a wet room to your home, it can increase the value of your home. Buyers see a wet room as practical, modern and desirable. For the best results, it is best to install a wet room as a second bathroom or to install a bath in it.

Flexibility in Layout and Design

A wet room allows you to unleash your creativity as you can add many different design and décor elements based on your personal style.

Provides Convenience and Safety

The level access of a shower in a wet room is a safe and practical option. Shower trays are usually designed with non-slip tiles which provide both safety and style.

Do I Need to Tank a Wet Room?

No matter how good your tiling and grouting is, the changes in temperature and humidity can cause fine cracks which can allow water to leak through the walls or floor. This is why a wet room should be tanked.

All tiling in wet areas of the wet room should be fully sealed with a waterproof membrane below them.

Can I Have a Wet Room?

Provided you have the space for it in your home, you can have a wet room. You can also build an extension for a wet room; however, this may be subject to planning permission and other building regulations rules.

Depending on your type of home, you may be subject to certain building regulation rules that you will need to adhere to in order to have a wet room installed. You can contact your local council or a professional wet room installer to find out whether you will be subject to building regulations.

What Is the Cost of Wet Room Flooring?

There are a number of options for wet room flooring.

Below is a list of the different types of wet room flooring and some information on each of the different types:

Tiled Flooring Cost

This is the most common type of flooring for a wet room. There is a vast range of tiles available, so it is easy to find a tile that suits your desired style.

PROS

• ✔ Huge range of styles
• ✔ Durable
• ✔ Budget-friendly
• ✔ Quick and easy to install

CONS

• ✖ Work best with underfloor heating

Vinyl Flooring Cost

Vinyl flooring also offers several different styles. Vinyl flooring can act as a waterproof barrier if installed correctly.

PROS

• ✔ Wide range of styles
• ✔ Budget-friendly
• ✔ Can act as a waterproof barrier
• ✔ Less slippery than tiles

CONS

• ✖ May not be suitable for underfloor heating

Microcement Flooring Cost

Microcement is a composite based on cement. It can create a smooth, seamless floor-ing type; however, it is limited on design styles.

PROS

• ✔ Comes in a number of colours and styles
• ✔ Does not require joints
• ✔ Modern-looking

CONS

• ✖ Not suitable for use in trays or bases
• ✖ Fewer style options available than other flooring types
• ✖ More difficult to install than other options

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Wet Room Installation

There is no planning permission needed to install a wet room in your home unless it is being built within a new extension.

Building regulations may apply if you are converting an existing room or working on a new build. The building regulations rules will vary from job to job, so it is best to seek advice before starting the work.

If you are hiring a professional contractor to complete the work, they will be able to create a plan for your new wet room. They will be able to advise and adhere to all of the relevant building regulations rules as needed for your particular project.

Removing a Wet Room Cost

How much does it cost to change a wet room back to a bathroom?

You may want to remove a wet room to install a regular bathroom. If this is the case, it is quite a big job that is likely to cost between £3,000 – £6,000 depending on the size of the room and the type of suite and décor.

To remove the wet room, you will need to remove the flooring and replace it with new flooring. You will also need to remove the shower and replace this with either a new shower or a bath, or a bath/shower mix.

Removing and replacing a wet room is a challenging job that is likely to take around 7-10 days. You will need to hire a professional company to handle this for you. When getting a quote for this, the contractor will usually include all of the different elements of the job, including the replacement process and waste removal.

Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install a Wet Room

There are a few things you will need to consider before hiring someone to install a new wet room for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractor for the job:

• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
• How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a reasonable price for each element of the job
• What type of tiles and fittings does the company offer?
• Do you need to supply any materials yourself, or is it all included in the overall price for the job?
• Is the contractor experienced in fitting the type of wet room elements that you are pur-chasing?
• How many years’ worth of experience does the contractor have in fitting new wet rooms?
• How many contractors will carry out the job?
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.tilefixdirect.com/help-advice/wet-room-guide/
https://www.wetroominnovations.com/how-to-waterproof-a-wetroom
https://www.ccl-wetrooms.co.uk/technical/wet-room-technical-help-desk/how-to-tank-a-wet-room/
https://wetroommaterials.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-toilet-for-your-wet-room/