How much does a high-end bathroom renovation cost in South West London?

If you are planning a new bathroom in South West London, the first question is almost always the budget. The honest answer is that two bathrooms of the same size can differ in cost by tens of thousands of pounds, depending on what sits behind the tiles as much as what you see on the surface. This guide explains where the money goes, so you can plan with confidence before you speak to anyone.

A realistic starting point

The Federation of Master Builders' 2026 cost guide puts a complete bathroom renovation in the UK at around £12,000 and up, and notes that London labour rates are among the highest in the country. That figure is a national starting point for a standard finish. A high-end bathroom in a period house in Wimbledon, Putney, Fulham, Chelsea or Richmond, with large-format tiles, a walk-in shower or wet room and quality brassware, will normally sit well above it.

What drives the cost of a high-end bathroom

• Layout changes. Moving a toilet, bath or shower means new waste routes, and in older London houses that can mean lifting floors and working around joists.

• Waterproofing. A walk-in shower or wet room needs a fully tanked floor and walls, laid to a fall towards the drain. This is invisible once finished, but it is where quality matters most.

• Tiles and stone. Large-format porcelain, natural marble or patterned encaustic-style tiles take longer to set out and cut, and need a flatter substrate than standard ceramic tiles.

• Brassware and sanitaryware. Thermostatic showers, concealed valves, wall-hung toilets with in-wall frames and freestanding baths all add both product and fitting time.

• Underfloor heating, lighting and ventilation. Electric underfloor heating, recessed lighting on separate circuits and a properly sized extractor fan are worth planning in from day one.

• Joinery. Fitted vanity units, panelling and built-in storage are often the details that make a bathroom feel finished.

• Access and parking. Terraced streets with permit parking and no side access add time to every delivery and every skip.

Where to spend and where to save

Spend on the things you cannot easily change later: the waterproofing, the shower valve and the floor preparation. A leak behind a finished wall is far more expensive than a better valve on day one. You can save by choosing a simpler tile for secondary walls, keeping the toilet and basin in their existing positions, or using a quality ceramic rather than natural stone where the room gets heavy daily use.

How long does it take?

A full renovation usually runs over several weeks on site rather than days. Strip-out, first-fix plumbing and electrics, boarding and tanking, tiling, second fix and finishing each need their own time, and some stages, such as screeds and adhesives, need drying time before the next trade can start. It is worth asking for a written schedule with your quote, so you know what is happening each week.

Getting a quote you can compare

When you collect quotes, ask each contractor to itemise the strip-out, waste removal, waterproofing system, tiling area, and which fittings are included. A low quote often leaves out tanking or assumes you will supply everything yourself.

Planning a bathroom in South West London or Surrey?

Koniu Construction designs and builds high-end bathrooms across Wimbledon, Putney, Fulham, Chelsea, South Kensington, Richmond, Barnes, Kingston, Esher and Cobham. We are happy to work alongside your architect or interior designer. Tell us about your project or call 07719 664 615.