Fitting a bathroom follows a fixed order: strip out the old suite and tiles, alter the pipework and waste, prepare the walls and floor, fit the bath or shower tray, tile, then fit the toilet, basin, taps and accessories and finish with sealing and testing. How long it takes depends mainly on how much pipework moves, whether a wet room or tanking is involved and how much tiling there is, so the timescale is set at the survey rather than guessed in advance.
Here is what each stage involves and how to make the weeks at home easier.
The order of work
- 1
Protection and strip-out
Routes through the house are protected, water is isolated and the old suite, tiles and boards come out.
- 2
First fix
Supply and waste pipes are altered or renewed, shower valves set into the wall and any electrics for lights or fans run.
- 3
Walls and floor
Boards replaced where needed, walls lined or boarded, and wet areas tanked for waterproofing.
- 4
Tray or bath
Fitted level and secure before tiling so tiles can finish neatly over the edges.
- 5
Tiling and grouting
Usually the longest single stage, with drying time before grouting.
- 6
Second fix and finish
Toilet, basin, taps, shower, towel rail and accessories fitted, silicone applied and everything tested for leaks.
What makes it take longer
| Factor | Why it adds time |
|---|---|
| Moving the toilet | Waste pipe rerouting, sometimes under the floor |
| Walk-in or wet room | Tanking and curing before tiles go on |
| Full-height tiling | More area and more cutting around fittings |
| Concealed cisterns and valves | Framing and boxing before walls are finished |
| Surprises at strip-out | Rotten boards or old pipework to replace |
| Waiting on items | Missing parts stop the sequence |
Living without a bathroom
If it is your only bathroom, ask whether the toilet can be kept working or refitted temporarily at the end of each day during the early stages. That is often possible until the floor is being done.
Dust is worst during the first two days, when tiles and boards come off. Closing the bathroom door, sealing the gap underneath and keeping a window open in the room itself makes a noticeable difference to the rest of the house. Water may also be off for short spells during first fix, while supply pipes are altered, so filling a kettle and a few bottles in the morning saves frustration later in the day.
Silicone needs time to cure before the shower is used, and some tile adhesives and grouts need a day before they are wet. The last day of the job is often not the first day you can shower — worth knowing when you plan around it.
How to prepare
- Have every item on site before work starts, and check boxes for damage.
- Empty the room, including the airing cupboard if the cylinder is nearby.
- Agree where tools and waste will be kept.
- Plan for dust and noise on the strip-out days.
- Confirm who is doing electrics and decoration.
Order everything early and check it the day it arrives. A bathroom that starts with every part on site is the one that finishes when it was planned to.
