In our survey of Which? members, we found that nearly two thirds of respondents had been able to reduce the cost of their new bathroom. Follow our tips to spend less on your next bathroom project without cutting on quality.
We asked homeowners who had updated their bathroom in the previous 10 years what tricks they had used to stay on budget. Read on to discover the five most popular tips from our members.
Find out how people rate well-known bathroom retailers, including B&Q, Homebase and Victoria Plum, in our bathroom reviews.
5 ways to get a cheaper bathroom
We asked those who saved money exactly how they did it – here are the five most commonly used tactics:
- Used a fitter they found themselves – 31%
- Sourced components themselves online or in-store – 26%
- Bought different components from different stores – 20%
- Negotiated on the cost – 19%
- Found alternatives to expensive materials – 7%
Find your own fitter
Our guide to bathroom installation reveals what customers think of the installation services provided by big national retailers.
While it’s often convenient to use a bathroom retailer’s in-house fitting service, it’s worth noting that 31% of our survey respondents saved money by finding their own bathroom fitter. It’s a particularly smart move if you develop a relationship with the trader that spans multiple projects.
To find a reliable, recommended local bathroom fitter in your area, head to Which? TrustedTraders. All our traders have gone through a rigorous assessment by expert assessors.
Source your own components
Sourcing your own components for your bathroom could well save you a tidy sum. Just because you’re buying your bathroom suite from one company doesn’t mean you need to use them for all the extras as well. Just make sure everything will look good together and arrive in time for your installation.
As one Which? member told us: ‘We checked prices online, and if we could get fixtures and fittings cheaper somewhere other than our bathroom company, we did. But for the main things, we are stuck with the bathroom company, for consistency with the quality and the timing of the delivery.’
Another commented: ‘We checked components online and then asked our independent company to match the prices we’d found.’
Negotiate the cost
When discussing a new bathroom with retailers, designers and fitters, collect two or three quotes from different places and people. This will help you understand what is a fair price, and you can present them as part of your negotiations for a lower cost.
One member said they found ‘a major saving was having a large part of the supplies sourced online and then a local supplier agreeing to match the prices’.
For more first-hand tips and a detailed planning guide, read how to plan and buy a bathroom suite.
Consider a bathroom’s durability
As well as thinking about how much a bathroom will cost overall, it’s important to think about whether you’re getting value for money. A cheap bathroom suite may not be worth the savings if it soon breaks or shows signs of wear and tear.
In June 2023, we asked bathroom customers about the durability of their bathroom suite – only three big brands were rated five stars out of five for durability.
Read our guide to the best and worst bathroom brands to find out the full results of our bathroom brands survey, such as ratings for value for money and quality of finish.
Updating your bathroom on a budget
If you’re on a really tight budget, you might be better off updating parts of your bathroom rather than replacing it completely.
Cleaning and regrouting tiles, for example, can transform a tired old bathroom, especially if it’s harboring mold.
Retiling key areas, such as above or around a sink, can refresh a tired bathroom, as can a new lick of paint. Make sure you use bathroom paint, which is formulated to resist moisture, humidity and stains. If you can, buy anti-mould paint to stave off future problems.
Adding better storage units to your bathroom can declutter and bring a new lease of life. You might find some bargains at non-specialist retailers, such as Ikea or Dunelm.
If you don’t have much space, focus on making the most of what is available: ‘Initially I tried three or four bathroom fitters and companies, but they didn’t optimize the space,’ explained one member who responded to our survey.
‘Instead, I cooperated with a local experienced builder who had reliable plumber contacts. They can also introduce you to plumbing suppliers who can guide you to better quality products.
‘I ended up doing the basic design myself with graph paper and a supplier’s catalogue. This was approved by the builder and his plumber who ironed out anything that wouldn’t work – making sure the cabinets align with the existing pipework, for example. Two years later, there’s not much that I would change.’
Lastly, don’t forget accessories – a new towel rail or toilet roll holder could make all the difference.
Visit our page on bathroom design ideas for inspiration and tips.
Our research on bathrooms
In September 2023, we asked 1,129 Which? members about the bathroom suite (bath, toilet and sink) and bathroom furniture they had bought in the previous 10 years, asking about their experiences of trying to save money and their expectations and results around costs.
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