The short answer
In Edinburgh, a full bathroom renovation from a proper fitter (strip out, plumbing, tiling, fit-out) usually lands in one of three brackets:
- Compact ensuite / small tenement bathroom: ~£6,000–£9,000 all-in.
- Standard family bathroom: ~£9,000–£14,000 all-in.
- Full wet room or high-spec refit: ~£14,000–£22,000+.
Ranges cover labour, materials, tiling, plumbing, waste and finish. What sits under the tiles matters more than which tap you pick.
Where the money actually goes
- Labour (40–55%). Strip out, plumbing, tanking, tiling, fit-out. Skilled trades, not "a bit of DIY".
- Tiling and prep (15–25%). Boarding, adhesive, grout, and hours on the wall. Large-format tiles cost more to lay because they're less forgiving.
- Sanitaryware & brassware (10–20%). Bath, WC, basin, shower valve, taps. Huge range — good mid-range brands do the job for a fraction of designer prices.
- Structural & waste (5–15%). Joist strengthening, moving the soil stack, upsizing wastes. Tenements almost always need some of this.
- Extras (5–10%). Extractor, lighting, heated towel rail, underfloor heating.
Edinburgh tenement bathrooms
Tenements are the hardest to price from a photo. The tiles come off and you find bouncing joists, a lath-and-plaster wall behind the bath, and a waste run that was bodged in 1994. Budget an extra £1,000–£2,500 over the "standard" range for the unknowns. A good fitter will flag this at the survey, not on the invoice.
Ensuites and family bathrooms
Ensuites are smaller but not much cheaper — you've still got the same shower, WC, basin, tiling and waste to deal with in a tight space. Family bathrooms give you room to work but usually mean more tile area, a bath and a shower, and heavier daily use, so specify durable finishes.
How long does it take?
A straightforward refit runs 2–3 weeks on site. A wet room with structural work or a full re-plumb is closer to 3–4. Anyone promising a Edinburgh tenement bathroom in "a week" is either cutting the tanking or skipping the prep.
Getting an accurate quote
The only way to price a bathroom properly is a site visit — half an hour with the tape measure saves months of surprises. I'll come and see it, talk you through options at your budget, and send a written quote with no pressure.
Related: accessible bathrooms & walk-in showers, bathroom services, recent bathrooms.