How Long Does Bathroom Fitting Take?

A straightforward bathroom suite replacement, where the layout stays the same and there is no significant plumbing rerouting, typically takes five to seven working days from strip-out to final finish. This assumes a standard bathroom of around 4 to 6 square metres.

A full bathroom renovation involving layout changes, new plumbing runs, full tiling of walls and floor, and a new suite typically takes seven to ten working days. If the project involves creating an en-suite from scratch or converting a different kind of space, allow for ten to fourteen days.

A wet room installation is at the longer end of the range, typically eight to twelve working days, because of the additional time needed for correct floor preparation, tanking, and the precision required in the tiling work.

Unexpected discoveries during strip-out: finding damp, rotten joists, or old pipework that needs replacing adds time to any project. A fitter who carries out a thorough initial visit and strip-out inspection will catch more of these issues early, but some are only visible once the bathroom is opened up.

Drying times: adhesive and grout need time to cure before the next stage of work can proceed. In cooler or less ventilated rooms, these times can be longer. A fitter who rushes past curing times to finish faster is one to be cautious of.

Tile complexity: large format tiles, complex patterns, or mosaic features take longer to lay than standard sized tiles. If you have chosen a particularly demanding tile format, this should be factored into the timescale from the start.

In a standard installation, you will typically have a working toilet and basin within the first two days of work. The shower or bath usually follows toward the end of the first week. The bathroom may not be fully tiled or finished, but it will be usable.

For projects where only one bathroom is available, a good fitter will prioritise getting the basic facilities working as quickly as possible. If you have a second bathroom or toilet in the house, this is less of a concern.

It is worth discussing the sequence of work with your fitter before the project starts, so you know what to expect at each stage and can plan around the period when the room is out of use.

Have all the materials on site before work starts. Delays waiting for a tile delivery or a suite to arrive stop the project in its tracks and cost money in lost time.

Clear the bathroom of personal items before the fitter arrives. Having to move products and accessories slows down the strip-out and risks things being damaged.

Be available to make decisions if needed. Questions about minor details, such as the position of a towel rail or the height of a shelf, can hold up work if the homeowner is not reachable.

Confirm the project sequence with the fitter in advance: strip-out on day one, plumbing by day two or three, tiling from day three or four, suite installation once tiling is complete. Knowing the plan helps everyone manage expectations.