What Should a Bathroom Quote Actually Include?

The first line should cover removing the existing suite, tiling and, where relevant, flooring, along with disposal via skip or licensed waste carrier. This typically costs £300-£700 depending on room size and how much needs stripping back. If a quote doesn't mention waste disposal at all, ask where the old bathroom is actually going, since unlicensed disposal is both illegal and a cost that will otherwise appear later as an add-on.

First fix covers running new pipework and cables to their final positions before walls and floors are closed up, including any pipe or cable relocation for a changed layout. Electrical first fix in a bathroom is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, meaning it must be certified, either by a registered electrician self-certifying the work or via building control sign-off. A quote should state clearly who is doing this work and that a certificate will be issued, since this documentation matters at resale.

Any area that will see water, shower enclosures, wet room floors, areas behind baths, should be tanked before tiling begins. This is easy to miss on a brief quote because it's invisible once finished, but it should appear as its own line with the system named. If tanking isn't mentioned at all, ask directly, because it's one of the most consequential omissions in a cheap quote.

Tiling should be broken into labour (per square metre) and materials (tiles, adhesive, grout, trims), ideally with the tile format specified since this affects both. If you're supplying your own tiles, the quote should reflect labour-only pricing and state clearly what happens if there's a shortfall in your order.

Second fix covers fitting the actual suite, WC, basin, bath or shower, taps, shower valve, extractor fan, lighting and any accessories, once walls and floors are finished. This section should list each item individually with its cost, whether it's a specific model you've chosen or an allowance figure if you haven't decided yet. Allowance figures (sometimes called provisional sums) should be clearly marked as estimates that will be adjusted once you've chosen final fittings.

A proper quote should mention a final snagging visit, checking silicone lines, grout finish, door and drawer alignment and functionality of every fitting, before the job is signed off as complete. It should also set out the payment structure clearly, typically a deposit on booking, a materials payment when goods arrive, and a final balance on completion, rather than requesting full payment upfront.

VAT treatment should also be stated explicitly, either included in the figures shown or added separately, so there are no surprises on the final invoice.

Be cautious of quotes that combine everything into a single figure with no breakdown, that don't mention electrical certification for a bathroom that clearly needs it, that don't reference tanking anywhere, or that ask for a large deposit or full payment before work starts. A written guarantee and evidence of being fully insured should also be standard, not something you have to ask for.