Cost of converting a bedroom into a bathroom?

bluep

We're interested in a house that has a downstairs bathroom (and too many bedrooms upstairs for the size of house/garden and area i.e. if you were a family of that size, you probably would be looking elsewhere to start with, which is why I think its been lingering on the market). Anyone got any vague idea on non-London cost of moving a bathroom upstairs (bath, toilet and basin)? We could reuse the current bathroom suite so just the cost of plumbing (particularly the waste pipe etc...), tiling and fitting.

I know it depends different quotes/quality of fittings etc... but it would be useful to get an idea of the range of prices people had paid for similar.

phill99

Depends on a range of factors, but realistically. £4k - £7k

Kynthia

I'm not knowledgeable in these types of things but I imagine the floor would need strengthening as well as bringing plumbing upstairs? Would it need building reg approval too?

ognum

It really depends on where in the house you plan to move it to, if you can locate it directly above where the current bathroom is then you will be able to use the current exterior drainage and water.

If you want to move it somewhere else then if it is above the kitchen then it's a good start!

If you can get the bathroom out with out damage you could reuse it, you may then be without a WC for a while, never a good thing! Cost will also depend on quality if times and floor coverings etc but 3 -5K ish

You do need to see which way the joists run and whether they need supporting, a good plumber will be able to provide you will a building regs certificate.

Will you keep a downstairs WC as this will add value to your property.

Hope this helps!

bluep

Thanks for the replies.

It would be a bedroom directly above the kitchen and only one along from the from existing bathroom (accessible through the kitchen currently) so no issues there.

We would probably not move in until after its finished as we are in no rush to leave where we are and I think we'd leave the toilet and sink downstairs, putting up a stud wall to make a smaller cloakroom and a utility room and just take the bath upstairs (buying another toilet and sink!). My husband has installed bathrooms himself in the past but that was ripping out an old one, changing the layout a bit and putting a new one in rather than converting a different room. So, we would want a plumber to do the proper pipework/building regs etc... £3k-£5k sounds about right.

eddddy

bluep wrote: »

....
We could reuse the current bathroom suite so just the cost of plumbing (particularly the waste pipe etc...), tiling and fitting.
....

Is the existing bathroom suite special or high quality? You can get a fairly standard new suite starting at £200. If I was spending £3k to £5k on a new bathroom, I would be wary of spoiling it by using a 'second hand' suite for the sake of saving £200 - £300.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bathroom+suite#psj=1&q=bathroom+suite&tbm=shop

Yorkie1

Might be worth double checking whether B Regs require you to retain a toilet downstairs. I have a recollection that if you have an existing toilet downstairs you can't just remove it even if it's replaced upstairs.

BUT I might not be remembering correctly, hence suggestion to double check the position.

bluep

Thanks guys - it looks like they have spent a lot of money on the bathroom suite recently - i.e. its a nice roll top bath - hence why I might be tempted to reuse it.

As I said, we'd leave the downstairs toilet in situ and put a stud wall to make a downstairs toilet as well.

Anyone know about any potential difficultes re building regs in terms of converting a bedroom to a bathroom?

witchy1066

none at all , once the work is done you may have to have it signed off by building inspector but your plumber should sort all that
but its good that you check also , so you know for sure,

most house in my area had downstairs bathrooms, people are having them fitted upstairs as the houses get sold on,
also many people these days like to have bathrooms on both levels

its no different to having an en suite fitted ,

get at least 3 quotes from reputable local plumbers,

another thing to think about, would you really save that much by taking the downstairs bath out , could be handy keep

bluep

Thanks witchy - the plan is that we'd only want a toilet and basin downstairs (might leave the shower cubicle in as it is sitting in the corner to the left of the door when you enter with the toilet and basin so already in the right half of the room) but that the rest of the rather large bathroom would work really well as a utility area with washer/dryer and laundry cupboards. This would create more space in the kitchen and be relatively easy to do with a stud wall and a husband who is handy with plumbing/installing.

I can quite honestly say that we'd never take a bath off in a room of off the kitchen!