How Much Does a Wet Room Cost? 2026 UK Price Guide & VAT Rules

The Real Cost of a Wet Room in 2026: What You Pay & Where the Money Goes

It is the most frustrating part of researching a renovation. You search for “wet room prices,” and most websites give you a vague calculator saying “between £3,000 and £15,000.” That isn’t helpful.

At EA Mobility, we believe in total transparency.
Inflation and material costs have changed significantly over the last 18 months. Using our 20+ years of experience, we have compiled a realistic, 2026-adjusted price guide to help you plan your budget.

The Short Answer (2026 Estimates)

In the UK, a professionally installed, fully accessible wet room typically falls into these three bands:

• £6,000 – £8,000: Standard Conversion. (Vinyl flooring, standard sanitaryware, gravity drainage).

• £8,000 – £10,000: Mid-Range / Deep Specialist. (High-performance safety vinyl, pumped drainage, upgraded rails).

• £11,000+: Luxury Bespoke. (Floor-to-ceiling wall covering, heating, WC and basin, premium finish).

• £14,000+: Specialist Bespoke. (Floor-to-ceiling wall covering, heating, WC and basin, premium finish, specialist adaptation equipment).

Note: These prices include materials, specialist labour, and waste removal. 

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Running Costs: Is Underfloor Heating Expensive?

Many clients worry that an electric wet room floor will skyrocket their energy bills.
The Reality: In a modern, well-insulated wet room, electric Underfloor Heating is surprisingly efficient.

• Cost to Run: Approx 10p – 15p per day (based on 2026 energy caps) to warm the floor for an hour in the morning and evening.

• The Benefit: It dries the floor rapidly (preventing mould) and heats the room often better than a radiator.

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Is a Wet Room a Good Investment? (ROI)

Many clients ask: “Will I make this money back?”

• If you do it cheaply: A low-quality, hospital-style wet room can devalue your home by up to 5%.

• If you do it right: A high-end, luxury wet room (like our installations) is a desirable “future-proof” feature. In 2026, estate agents value high-quality accessible bathrooms as a premium asset, potentially adding 3-5% to your home’s value.

Read our full blog here: Does a wet room devalue property?

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3 Factors That Swing the Price

Why does one neighbour pay £7k and another pays £11k?

1. The Floor Structure (Timber Costs More)

• Concrete Floor: Cheaper. We dig a channel into the existing screed.

• Timber Floor (Upstairs): More labour intensive. We must lift floorboards, reinforce joists, and install a structural former. If joists run the wrong way, we need a Digital Waste Pump to move the water.

2. Vinyl vs. Tiles

• Vinyl: Cost-effective and 100% waterproof. Comes on a roll, making installation faster.

• Tiles: Tiling a floor takes twice as long as laying vinyl. In 2026, tile prices and specialist tiling labour rates have risen. Expect to pay a premium for a fully tiled luxury look.

3. Electrics & Lighting
Does your bathroom need a new extractor fan or LED spotlights? Electrical work requires a qualified electrician to sign off the Part P certificate, adding to the daily rate.

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Wet Room vs. Walk-In Shower: Price Comparison

This is a critical decision for your budget. Many people confuse the two, but the costs are very different.

• Walk-In Shower (Tray): We only waterproof the specific tray area.

• Wet Room (Tanked): We have to “tank” (waterproof) the entire room floor and walls to create a sealed box.

The Verdict:
A Walk-In Shower is typically £1,500 – £2,000 CHEAPER than a full wet room conversion, while offering very similar levels of accessibility.

Unsure which you need? Read our detailed comparison: Wet Room vs. Walk-In Shower Guide.

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How to Lower Your Quote (5 Money-Saving Tips)

We want you to get the best value without compromising safety. Here is how to keep costs down:

1. Choose Vinyl over Tiles: It is cheaper to buy, faster to fit, and often safer (higher slip resistance).
2. Keep the Layout: If we can leave the toilet and basin where they are, you save huge amounts on moving soil pipes.
3. Wall Paneling vs. Tiles: Waterproof wall panels are faster to install than tiles (saving days of labour) and have no grout to clean.
4. Avoid “Bespoke” Glass: Standard size shower screens (700mm/800mm/900mm) are much cheaper than custom-cut glass.
5. Claim VAT Exemption: (See below).

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The Big Saving: VAT Exemption (Save 20%)

This is the most important section. If you are installing a wet room for a medical reason (disability or chronic condition), you do not have to pay VAT.

This is HMRC Notice 701/7. It is your legal right.

Example:

• Standard Price: £9,000 + VAT (20%) = £10,800

• VAT Exempt Price: £9,000

• Total Saving: £1,800

You do not need to claim this back later. At EA Mobility, we deduct it from your invoice before you pay.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Costs)

Q: Is a wet room cheaper than a walk-in bath?
A: Usually, yes. A mechanical walk-in bath with a powered seat lift is a complex machine with moving parts. A structural wet room is often cheaper to install and cheaper to maintain long-term.

Q: Can I get a grant?
A: Yes. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is available up to £30,000. However, it is means-tested (based on savings). If you have savings over £23,250, private funding is usually your only route.

Note: Grant applications can be complex and lengthy, often taking 1-2 years to process. Our services are focused on clients funding their projects personally so we can work in a reasonable timescale. We recommend you contact your local council for assistance.

Q: Why are “Man in a Van” quotes so cheap?
A: They often skip the Tanking (Waterproofing) stage or use cheap trays. If a wet room leaks, it rots your floor joists. We use chemically bonded tanking systems guaranteed not to leak. You are paying for that peace of mind.

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Get a Fixed-Price Quote (No Surprises)

Online calculators are guesses. Real houses have quirky plumbing. At EA Mobility, we offer a Free Home Survey. We check your water pressure, floor depth, and drainage, then give you a fixed price that won’t change mid-job.