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Three bathroom quotations are only useful if they describe the same bathroom. One may include removing the old suite and preparing the walls; another may assume that work is already done. Compare the scope before comparing the total.
This worksheet helps homeowners in England organise the questions to ask before choosing an installer. It avoids a generic “average bathroom price”: your layout, products, existing services and preparation work need their own assessment.
Give all three businesses the same brief
List what you want to retain, replace or move. Include the bath or shower, WC, basin, storage, heating, lighting, ventilation and finishes. Send the same photographs and product information to each installer, and arrange a visit so they can assess the room.
Say whether this is your only bathroom and describe any access needs. If a walk-in shower or easier-to-use controls are priorities, explain those requirements before selecting products. Ask the installer to assess suitability for the room and its existing services.
The Chartered Institute of Building recommends seeking at least three comparable quotes based on the same information. Its homeowner guidance explains why the brief and responsibility for managing the job matter.
Fill in a comparison sheet
Make one column for each business and use the rows below. Write the actual specification, not just a tick.
| Compare | Detail to record for each quotation |
|---|---|
| Products | Make, model, finish and who supplies each item |
| Removal and disposal | Old suite, tiles, flooring, packaging and waste collection |
| Preparation | Wall and floor repairs, levelling and any provisional allowance |
| Shower area | Proposed waterproofing system, surfaces covered and responsibility for installation |
| Plumbing | Which pipes and waste connections will be altered; assessment of proposed shower suitability |
| Electrical work | Lighting, fan, shower or heating connections; named responsible electrician |
| Tiling and finishes | Areas covered, tile allowance, trims, grout, sealant and decorating |
| Programme | Start, duration and when the WC and washing facilities will be unavailable |
| Completion | Testing, documents, cleaning and arrangements for reporting snags |
| Price | Total payable, VAT treatment, exclusions, allowances and payment stages |
If one quote says “tiles included”, ask which tiles and how much wall area it covers. If another says “customer supplies tiles”, add that purchase to your comparison only once you have a real price. Both quotations may be reasonable, but they are not yet directly comparable.
Resolve the work behind the finishes
Ask what inspection can establish before stripping out and what remains uncertain. Your quotation should explain how the installer will report an unexpected problem, price the proposed solution and obtain your agreement.
For the shower area, ask the installer to identify the proposed waterproofing approach and relevant manufacturer's installation instructions. For ventilation, ask what is being retained or replaced and how its suitability will be checked. These are requests for a professional specification; a homeowner checklist cannot approve the technical design.
Bathroom electrics need particular care because wet conditions increase the danger from electric shock. Use a registered electrician for installation work and discuss the proposed equipment before buying it. Electrical Safety First's bathroom guidance explains the risks and appropriate professional checks.
Check approvals and responsibility
A straightforward replacement and a bathroom moved into another room can have different approval requirements. Drainage and electrical alterations may also need approval. The Planning Portal explains the distinction.
Ask who will establish the requirements, organise any necessary approvals and supply completion paperwork. If more than one contractor is involved, name the person coordinating their visits and handling a problem that crosses two trades.
Choose after the questions are answered
Use our suggested decision order: first check that each proposal meets the brief, then resolve uncertainty, then compare the full price and practical arrangements. Ask for evidence of relevant recent work and current insurance. An attractive total alone does not tell you how the job will be managed.
Keep the accepted specification and payment arrangements in writing. Citizens Advice's guide to getting work done on your home covers contracts, insurance and dealing with traders.
Looking in Birmingham?
Two businesses whose own websites advertise both kitchen and bathroom services are Kitchen Fit Plus and Hall Green Kitchens & Bathrooms. Their profiles are starting points for enquiries, not a workmanship ranking. Ask each about your postcode, project and current availability.
You can also browse the bathroom directory or submit a bathroom quote request. If your project includes a kitchen, our kitchen quotation checklist will help you separate the two scopes.
Prepared by HouseJester from the linked public guidance and business websites, checked on 22 October 2026. No contractor has reviewed your property or supplied a quotation for this article.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the HouseJester editorial team for accuracy and relevance.
Written by
HouseJester Editorial
Editorial Team
The HouseJester editorial team brings together specialists in furniture, interior design, and home improvement to provide trusted guidance for UK homeowners.