Plan a complete bathroom renovation in Richmond upon Thames
Starting with a stripped room gives the fitter access to pipes, cables and surfaces that a cosmetic update leaves hidden. Tell us about the bathroom in Richmond upon Thames and what has prompted the renovation. A free enquiry through London Bathroom Fitters can help you obtain up to four quotations from independent firms covering your postcode, depending on suitable contractors being available.
For a home in Richmond upon Thames, London, include the neighbourhood and postcode. A converted flat, terrace or semi can call for different access and drainage arrangements. Requesting prices does not oblige you to appoint a contractor.
From stripped surfaces to a finished bathroom
The room is stripped to bare brick, stud and joists, then rebuilt with new pipework, cabling, boarding, waterproofing, a new suite and new finishes.
Because the walls and floor are open, this is also the stage to reposition a radiator, add a towel rail circuit, move a light or fit a proper ducted extractor. Changes made after tiling are far harder and dearer.
When a renovation is the right call
The more of these apply, the stronger the case for starting again.
- Hollow or cracked tiles, or tiles laid over an older layer.
- A stain or patch on the ceiling below the bathroom.
- Springy boards around the WC or bath.
- Old lead or iron pipe visible under the bath.
- No working extractor, or one that vents into the loft.
What to tell fitters in Richmond upon Thames
Measure the floor and note the ceiling height, window position and door swing. Say whether the property is a house or a flat, and roughly when the bathroom was last done. Mention your boiler or cylinder, because the hot water system affects which shower you can have.
A short video walking round the room is often enough for a first conversation. Mention any building manager or freeholder who needs notice before work starts.
The work from survey to handover
- Measure up, confirm the design and settle the product list.
- Protect the route through the property, then strip the room to bare walls and joists.
- Fix any joist or board damage and complete the first fix plumbing and electrics.
- Board, plaster and waterproof the walls and floor, then tile.
- Complete second fix, check for leaks, seal, clean and hand over the paperwork.
Expect around 8–14 working days on site. Drying times, made-to-measure glass and access arrangements can stretch the overall timetable.
The surfaces beneath your new tiles
A tiled shower still needs suitable waterproofing behind the finish. Ask which boarding, membrane and corner details the fitter will use, and how the tray junction and pipe penetrations will be sealed. Compatible components and the required curing periods matter as much as the tile choice.
Sound joists can stay once they have been inspected. Damaged boards, rotten timber or weakened joists need a priced repair plan. Any structural alteration must be designed appropriately; new pipes should not be routed by cutting away whatever timber is in the way.
Keep a record of concealed pipes and valves before they are covered. The handover should include leak and flow checks, fan testing, relevant electrical paperwork and advice on when sealant and grout are ready for use.
Use these details to compare what the fitters actually propose.
- Agree how isolation valves and concealed shower controls remain accessible.
- Include repair of damaged substrates, waterproof corners and the tray-to-wall junction in the scope.
- Confirm that the extractor duct reaches outside and that the room has an adequate air supply.
Typical costs in Richmond upon Thames
Our indicative range for this project is £8,000–£16,000 for labour, a mid-range suite and tiling. Confirm what is supplied, applicable VAT and exclusions before comparing totals. Room size, the amount of tiling, the specification of the fittings and how difficult the room is to reach all move the figure.
Damaged joists, a lead supply pipe, a ceiling that needs replacing or asbestos testing are usually priced once the room is open. Ask each fitter how they price these extras.
Checks before work starts in Richmond upon Thames
Renovating an existing bathroom rarely needs planning permission, but listed buildings can need listed building consent for internal changes. Electrical work in a bathroom can be notifiable under Approved Document P, so ask who will certify it. A new extractor should meet the rates in Approved Document F.
Flat owners should read the alterations clause in their lease. Many London leases control changes to floors, drainage and walls.
A skip on the road needs a licence from Richmond upon Thames Council. Many fitters arrange the licence themselves, but confirm it is in the quote.
Find fitters who can survey your bathroom
Describe the leaks, worn finishes and items you want renewed using our free quote form. Take time to compare what each quote includes before choosing.
London Bathroom Fitters passes enquiries to independent bathroom businesses and is not a contractor itself. We do not survey, supply or fit bathrooms, and the fitters who reply are not our staff. Firms are asked for proof of insurance and for references when they sign up, and any agreement for the work is made between you and the fitter you pick.
Common renovation questions
These answers cover points that often come up before a renovation is priced.
What is the guide price for a complete bathroom renovation in Richmond upon Thames?
Our indicative London range is £8,000–£16,000 for labour, a mid-range suite and tiling. It is not a fixed quote. Hidden repairs found after the strip-out are usually priced separately.
How long will I be without a bathroom in Richmond upon Thames?
The work usually takes 8–14 working days, and the room is out of use for most of it. Ask whether the fitter can reconnect the WC at the end of each day during the early stages.
Will the old pipework be replaced?
In a complete renovation the pipework inside the room is normally renewed. Supply pipes elsewhere in the house, such as an old lead main, are a separate item and should be listed in the quote if included.
Do I need to move out during a renovation in Richmond upon Thames?
Most people stay at home, but the bathroom is unusable for much of the job and there is dust and noise during the strip-out. If it is your only bathroom, plan where you will shower for around two weeks.
Will every joist be replaced in a renovation in Richmond upon Thames?
No. Sound joists can remain after inspection. Rotten or weakened timber may need repair or replacement, and structural changes need an appropriate design. Ask how any extra work will be agreed and priced.
Is new grout enough to waterproof the shower?
No. Grout and silicone are parts of the finished surface. The shower area needs a suitable waterproofing arrangement beneath the finish, with sealed junctions and penetrations appropriate to the chosen system.