Bathroom renovation costs 2026: what does a new bathroom cost?

In 2026, a complete bathroom renovation costs between 1.800 and 3.500 euros per square metre of bathroom floor area. For a standard 6-square-metre bathroom, that means 10.800 to 21.000 euros, including tiles, sanitary fittings, electrical work and plumbing, heating and ventilation installation. The wide price range is mainly down to the choice of fittings: a level-access shower, large-format tiles or concealed taps drive up the price.

Key points at a glance

• 6-sqm bathroom: 10.800 to 28.000 € depending on the specification — a level-access shower alone makes a difference of 2.000–4.000 €
• Construction prices for residential building maintenance have risen by more than 46 % since 2020 (Destatis, 2025)
• Labour accounts for 55–65 % of total bathroom renovation costs — hourly rates: plumbing and heating installer 55–70 €, tiler 50–62 €
• Always check the quote for waterproofing documentation (bonded waterproofing to DIN 18534) and warranty provisions

What does a bathroom renovation cost in 2026?

The total cost depends mainly on the bathroom's size and the desired specification. According to the Federal Statistical Office's construction price index, construction prices for maintenance work on residential buildings have risen by more than 46 per cent since 2020.⁴ The following table shows guide prices for 2026 based on current contractor prices in Germany, including materials and labour.

The standard option includes a basic shower tray or bath, standard tiles (20x20 to 30x60 cm), exposed taps and a basin with a vanity unit. The comfort option includes a level-access shower, large-format tiles, concealed taps, a double basin and, where applicable, underfloor heating.

The figures do not account for regional price differences. In Munich, Stuttgart or Hamburg, you pay 15 to 25 per cent more than in rural areas of eastern Germany. Even within a city, prices vary depending on company size, workload and season.¹

Costs broken down by trade

To assess a bathroom renovation quote properly, you need to know what share of the total cost each trade accounts for. The following table breaks down typical costs by trade.

Together with tiling, plumbing and heating installation accounts for the largest cost item. This is due to the high labour share: in 2026, plumbers' hourly rates are 55 to 70 euros and tilers' rates are 50 to 62 euros.² Materials account for only around 35 to 45 per cent of bathroom renovation costs; the rest is labour time.

An often overlooked item is the removal and disposal of the old fittings. Depending on the old bathroom's condition, this adds 500 to 1.500 euros. In older buildings from before 1970, disposal can be more expensive if tile adhesive or pipes contain asbestos. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) requires asbestos-containing materials to be removed by a specialist company certified under TRGS 519.⁵ Hazardous materials survey plus professional disposal: an additional 800 to 2.000 euros.

What makes a bathroom expensive? The 5 biggest cost drivers

The range between 1.800 and 3.500 euros per square metre is mainly explained by five decisions that strongly influence the price. Each can individually make a difference of 1.000 to 5.000 euros.

1. Level-access shower vs shower tray

An acrylic shower tray costs 400 to 800 euros including installation. A level-access shower with a drainage channel, bonded waterproofing and a tiled surface costs 1.500 to 3.500 euros. The extra cost comes from the additional work, rather than the drainage channel itself (200 to 500 euros): the screed needs cutting into and rebuilding to a fall, waterproofing is more involved, and a larger area needs tiling. In older buildings, the floor may also need raising because there is insufficient build-up height for the fall.

2. Large-format tiles vs standard sizes

Tiles measuring 30x60 cm cost 50 to 80 euros per square metre to lay. Large-format tiles of 60x120 cm or 120x120 cm and above cost 80 to 120 euros per square metre. The additional cost comes less from the material than from the laying process: large formats require a more even substrate, special adhesive (flow-bed mortar), often two tradespeople for carrying and positioning, and generate more cutting waste. In return, the bathroom feels more spacious and has fewer joints, making cleaning easier.

3. Concealed vs exposed taps

An exposed shower mixer costs 150 to 400 euros including installation. Concealed mixers cost 400 to 1.200 euros because an additional concealed body must be installed inside the wall and the dry lining or breaking-out work is more involved. The visual difference is clear: with concealed fittings, only the handle and shower head are visible; everything else disappears into the wall. Repairs are more involved, however, because access to the wall is required.

4. Retrofitting underfloor heating

Electric bathroom underfloor heating costs 40 to 80 euros per square metre, including a thermostat and installation. For a 6-square-metre bathroom, that is 240 to 480 euros. Water-based underfloor heating is significantly more expensive (80 to 150 euros/sqm) because it must be connected to the heating system. In most cases, the electric option is sufficient, as it works independently of the central heating and is switched on only when needed. The build-up raises the floor by approx. 1 to 2 cm, which must be allowed for in the door height.

5. Accessible conversion

An accessible bathroom conversion to DIN 18040-2⁶ costs an additional 3.000 to 8.000 euros compared with a standard renovation. This includes a level-access shower (mandatory), grab rails, a wheelchair-accessible basin, a wider door (at least 80 cm clear width) and slip-resistant tiles (rating group B). A complete conversion with a shower seat and fold-down support rails beside the WC adds a further 1.000 to 2.000 euros. Funding is available for this (see below).

Bathroom renovation: money-saving tips without sacrificing quality

There are several ways to reduce bathroom renovation costs without cutting corners on the essentials.

1. Do the removal work yourself. Chipping off old tiles, removing sanitary fittings, carrying rubble to the skip: these jobs require practical skills but no specialist training. Savings: 500 to 1.500 euros. Important: removing water pipes and electrical cables is not DIY work; a specialist company must do this.
2. Use clearance tiles and special offers. Many tile suppliers and DIY stores offer remaining stock or discontinued ranges at 30 to 50 per cent below the regular price. The condition is that there must be enough for the whole bathroom plus 10 per cent cutting waste. Buying more later is often impossible with clearance stock, so allow a little extra.
3. Choose standard sizes. Shower trays, baths and basins in standard sizes (e.g. a 90x90 cm shower tray or a 60 cm basin) cost significantly less than bespoke products. Installation costs are also lower because contractors do not need to build special structures. Custom sizes only make sense with an overall budget above 25.000 euros, when a comfort bathroom is already planned.
4. Hire contractors in winter. Bathroom renovations are indoor work and therefore unaffected by the weather. From November to February, many companies have more capacity because outdoor work is on hold. Some offer discounts of 5 to 10 per cent, or at least shorter waiting times. The saving depends on the region and current workloads.

The Association of Private Builders (VPB) points out that the price difference between the cheapest and most expensive bathroom renovation provider regularly reaches 30 to 50 per cent for the same work.⁹ Another lever is a careful comparison of quotes. Three quotes are the minimum. Make sure they all cover the same scope of work; otherwise, you are comparing apples with oranges. Lump-sum quotes without an itemised breakdown are a warning sign because they prevent a transparent price comparison. For more on how to review a building quote properly, see the linked guide.

Funding for accessible bathrooms

There are two relevant funding programmes for accessible conversions, which can also be combined.

• KfW 455-B (barrier reduction): Grant of up to 6.250 euros per housing unit (12,5 per cent of eligible costs, max. 50.000 euros). The programme supports conversions to accessible bathrooms, including level-access showers, grab rails and wider doors. Applications must be submitted before work starts. Funds are limited and, in recent years, have regularly been exhausted before the end of the year.³
• Long-term care insurance fund (§ 40 SGB XI): Home adaptations of up to 4.000 euros per measure for people with a recognised care level (1 to 5). The money can be used for accessible bathroom conversions, e.g. installing a level-access shower or a bath lift. Apply to the relevant long-term care insurance fund; an informal letter with a cost estimate is often sufficient. If several people in the household require care, the grant rises to up to 16.000 euros.

Combining both programmes can provide up to 10.250 euros in grants for an accessible bathroom conversion. With total costs of 15.000 to 25.000 euros for an accessible conversion, this covers a substantial share.

Common bathroom renovation mistakes

Some bathroom renovation mistakes are difficult or expensive to correct afterwards. The following four occur particularly often in practice.

1. Insufficient or omitted waterproofing. Bonded waterproofing in splash zones (shower, bath) is mandatory under DIN 18534.⁷ Nevertheless, it is occasionally missing as a separate item in quotes. The result: either it is not carried out at all (leading to moisture damage after 2 to 5 years), or it appears as a variation. Professional waterproofing costs 800 to 1.500 euros and protects against damage that can quickly cost 5.000 to 15.000 euros. Check whether the quote includes this item.
2. Too few sockets planned. You need more sockets in the bathroom than you might initially think: hairdryer, electric toothbrush, shaver, washing machine (if in the bathroom) and possibly a heated towel rail. Plan at least 3 to 4 sockets, including a Schuko socket beside the mirror and one for the washing machine. Retrofitting is expensive (tiles need breaking out, cables running and the area retiling).
3. No access panels. Water pipes, traps and connections sit behind pre-wall installations and beneath the bath. Without an access panel, tiles must be broken off for repairs. An access panel costs 50 to 150 euros and can easily save 1.000 euros when a repair is needed. Make sure the quote includes at least one access hatch each for the pre-wall installation and the bath area.
4. DIY work on plumbing and electrical installations. Work on water pipes and electrics in wet areas requires a specialist company. Poor workmanship risks water damage, short circuits and loss of insurance cover. DIY work makes sense for removal and painting, but not for water and electrics. This also applies to connecting the washing machine to a high-power supply (tumble dryer) or installing an instantaneous water heater.

Many of these mistakes can be avoided by carefully reviewing the quote before commissioning the work. Missing waterproofing, too few sockets and missing access panels are typical issues picked up by a professional quote review. The linked guide explains how to avoid additional charges and what to look for in the way a quote is structured.

Have a bathroom renovation quote reviewed

For a bathroom renovation costing 10.000 euros or more, an independent quote review is almost always worthwhile. In most cases, the potential saving from identifying inflated prices or missing items significantly exceeds the review fee. The following table shows the available review options.

A digital review is sufficient for most bathroom renovations costing 10.000 to 30.000 euros. A site visit by a building expert is particularly useful where there are special structural circumstances (an older building with uncertain condition, structural alterations, suspected hazardous materials), or where the bathroom forms part of a larger renovation involving several trades.

With the free Cleverbauen24 Quickcheck you receive an initial assessment in advance: upload your quote as a PDF and immediately see whether the prices are reasonable and where potential risks lie.

Frequently asked questions about bathroom renovation costs

What does renovating a 6-sqm bathroom cost?

For a standard 6-square-metre bathroom, allow 10.800 to 18.000 euros with standard fittings (shower tray, standard tiles, exposed taps). With comfort fittings (level-access shower, large-format tiles, concealed taps), costs rise to 18.000 to 28.000 euros. Removal and disposal may add further costs (500 to 1.500 euros).

How long does a complete bathroom renovation take?

A standard bathroom renovation takes 3 to 4 weeks. This includes removal (2 to 3 days), plumbing and electrical first fix (3 to 5 days), screed and waterproofing (2 to 3 days plus drying time), tiling (4 to 6 days plus drying time), installing sanitary fittings (1 to 2 days) and finishing work. For a comfort bathroom with a level-access shower and underfloor heating, allow 4 to 5 weeks.

Can I stay living at home while the bathroom is being renovated?

Yes, but you will need an alternative place to wash during the renovation. In most cases, the kitchen sink can serve as a temporary washing facility. Some contractors also offer mobile showers or container bathroom solutions (rental approx. 150 to 300 euros per week). Plan the renovation so that the WC is removed as late as possible and reconnected early.

Is partial renovation worthwhile instead of a complete renovation?

A partial renovation (e.g. just tiles and sanitary fittings, retaining existing pipes) costs 40 to 60 per cent of a complete renovation. It is worthwhile if the existing electrical and plumbing installations are still in good condition and comply with standards. For pipes older than 30 years, a complete renovation is often the better choice because repairs to old pipes behind new tiles become particularly expensive.

Which bathroom renovation costs can I deduct from tax?

Under § 35a EStG, 20 per cent of labour costs (excluding material costs) for contractors' work in an owner-occupied home can be deducted from your tax liability, up to a maximum of 1.200 euros per year.⁸ A bathroom renovation with labour costs of 8.000 euros therefore gives a tax saving of 1.200 euros (the maximum). Requirements: an invoice showing labour costs separately and payment by bank transfer (no cash payment). For accessible conversions, KfW funding can be used instead, but both cannot be claimed for the same measure.

Further guides

• Reviewing a building quote - Complete guide with a 7-point checklist and a comparison of review options
• Renovation costs 2026 - Cost overview by trade for all types of renovation (façade, roof, heating, windows)
• avoid additional charges - The 7 most common variation traps and how to protect yourself

Sources

1. Destatis, residential building maintenance construction price indices, Fachserie 17 Reihe 4, November 2025
2. ZVSHK, 2025 industry report: hourly rates and costing principles in the plumbing, heating and ventilation trade
3. KfW, funding programme 455-B Barrier Reduction, terms as of January 2026
4. BKI, Building Cost Information Centre: statistical cost benchmarks for maintenance 2025
5. BAuA, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: TRGS 519, Asbestos
6. DIN 18040-2: Accessible buildings, dwellings, German Institute for Standardization
7. DIN 18534: Waterproofing for indoor applications, German Institute for Standardization
8. § 35a EStG: Tax reduction for expenditure on household-related employment and contractors' services
9. VPB, Association of Private Builders: price comparisons for renovation projects