Do you really know what you’re paying for when you receive a bathroom renovation quote?
Most people don’t. You get a PDF with four lines, a big number at the bottom and a tiny “VAT not included” disclaimer. And you sign it. Because you trust. Because you don’t know what to ask. Because they tell you “this is how it works.”
Well, it’s not. A bathroom renovation quote should read like a menu: dish by dish, ingredient by ingredient. And if your contractor doesn’t present it that way, something smells off.
After more than 12 years renovating bathrooms in Valencia and the surrounding area, we’ve seen it all: single-line quotes that say “full bathroom renovation: 6,000 euros,” and three-page quotes where every screw has its price. Guess which ones cause problems at the end of the project.
Today we’re getting straight to the point. We’re going to open up a real quote, line by line, so you know exactly where every euro goes. If you already have a quote in hand, open it while you read. If you don’t yet, you can get a personalised estimate with our calculator and come back here to understand each line.
Complete breakdown for a 5 m² bathroom
Let’s take a standard 5-square-metre bathroom as our reference — the most common size in Valencia flats. Something like what you find in a 1960s Ruzafa flat: rectangular, small window or none at all, bathtub against the wall and tiles up to the ceiling.
Here’s the breakdown with three finish levels:
| Line item | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition and rubble removal | 450 - 600 € | 450 - 600 € | 500 - 700 € |
| Plumbing | 600 - 900 € | 900 - 1,300 € | 1,300 - 2,000 € |
| Electrical | 300 - 500 € | 500 - 800 € | 800 - 1,200 € |
| Waterproofing | 200 - 350 € | 300 - 450 € | 400 - 600 € |
| Wall and floor tiling (materials + labour) | 800 - 1,200 € | 1,400 - 2,200 € | 2,500 - 4,000 € |
| Fixtures (toilet + basin + shower tray) | 400 - 700 € | 800 - 1,400 € | 1,500 - 3,000 € |
| Taps and fittings | 150 - 300 € | 300 - 600 € | 600 - 1,200 € |
| Shower screen | 200 - 400 € | 400 - 800 € | 800 - 1,500 € |
| Vanity unit with basin | 250 - 500 € | 500 - 1,000 € | 1,000 - 2,500 € |
| Painting (non-tiled areas) | 100 - 200 € | 150 - 250 € | 200 - 350 € |
| Final clean-up | 100 - 150 € | 100 - 150 € | 150 - 200 € |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | 3,550 - 5,800 € | 5,800 - 9,550 € | 9,750 - 17,250 € |
Note: these ranges are for Valencia city and the metropolitan area in 2026. If you’re in a different area, check our Valencia bathroom renovations page for more specific references.
Prices include 10% VAT where applicable (primary residence older than 2 years). If you’re unsure which VAT rate applies to you, read our article on VAT on bathroom renovations: 10% vs 21%.
Labour: what professionals charge in Valencia in 2026
Labour typically accounts for 40% to 50% of the total budget. It’s the line item where prices vary the most depending on the team’s experience and the complexity of the work.
According to data from the Construction Sector Cost Index published by the INE in Q4 2025, construction labour costs in the Valencian Community have risen by 4.2% year-on-year. This is noticeable, and anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or working with unregistered workers.
Bricklayer / skilled tradesperson
The bricklayer puts in the most hours on your renovation. Demolition, surface preparation, wall tiling, floor tiling, screeding…
- Day rate in Valencia (2026): 180 - 250 € (first-class tradesperson)
- Bricklayer’s assistant: 120 - 160 € per day
- Estimated time for a 5 m² bathroom: 4 - 7 days depending on complexity
Our experience tells us that a good tiler is worth every euro. The difference between a well-laid tile and a poorly laid one isn’t noticeable on day one — it shows up two years later when cracks start appearing in the grout.
Plumber
Plumbing is the invisible line item: it goes inside the wall, you can’t see it, but if it fails, you’ll notice very quickly.
- Day rate: 200 - 280 €
- Estimated time: 1 - 3 days
- If the layout changes (moving the toilet, for example): add 1 - 2 extra days plus additional materials
Don’t be fooled: if someone tells you that “reusing the old copper pipes” is a good idea to save money, think twice. In a flat with plumbing over 30 years old, replacing the pipes is almost always the right call. A leak inside the wall six months later will cost far more than new pipework would have.
Electrician
- Day rate: 190 - 260 €
- Estimated time: 0.5 - 2 days
- Includes: light points, sockets, bathroom extractor fan, wiring to the consumer unit
If your flat still has its original 1970s-80s electrical installation, you may also need to upgrade the consumer unit. That’s a separate cost of around 300 to 600 euros, but it’s not something you can ignore for safety reasons.
Materials: where the biggest price differences lie
Materials are the line item where you have the most decision-making power. Changing the tile can mean 1,500 euros more or less. And more expensive isn’t always better for your situation.
Tiles and flooring
The cost of ceramic materials depends on three things: format, finish and brand.
- Basic ceramic tile (20x20, 25x40): 10 - 18 €/m²
- Standard porcelain stoneware (60x60, 30x60): 18 - 35 €/m²
- Rectified large-format porcelain (60x120, 120x120): 35 - 70 €/m²
- Designer / imported tile: 50 - 120 €/m²
For a 5 m² bathroom you need approximately 20-25 m² of tile (walls + floor). Do the maths: the difference between a Porcelanosa porcelain at 45 €/m² and a basic ceramic at 14 €/m² is around 750 euros in materials alone.
Installation labour also varies with format. A 120x60 tile requires more skill and more time than a 30x60. Expect 15-20% more in labour costs if you opt for large format.
Waterproofing
It’s not optional. I repeat: it’s not optional.
- Liquid membrane (Mapelastic type): 8 - 15 €/m²
- Waterproofing sheet: 12 - 20 €/m²
- Area to waterproof (shower zone + perimeter): 6 - 10 m² in a standard bathroom
Total waterproofing cost: 200 - 600 € depending on the system. This is one of the items that many contractors “skip” to bring the quote down. And it’s one of the items that causes the most problems in the medium term.
Anti-damp paint
For areas that aren’t tiled (ceiling, upper part of walls):
- Quality anti-damp paint: 8 - 15 €/litre
- Labour: usually included in the painter’s day rate (120 - 180 €)
Fixtures and fittings: brands, models and real prices
This is where many quotes just say “toilet” with nothing else. But a toilet can cost 90 euros or 900. It’s not the same thing.
Toilet
- Basic horizontal outlet toilet (Roca Victoria, for example): 90 - 150 €
- Wall-hung toilet with concealed cistern (Roca The Gap, Geberit): 350 - 700 €
- Premium rimless toilet (Roca Inspira, Duravit): 500 - 1,200 €
A wall-hung toilet looks great and makes cleaning easier, but it needs a concealed frame (Geberit Duofix or similar) costing an additional 150 to 300 euros, plus installation labour.
Shower tray
- Basic acrylic (70x120): 80 - 180 €
- Mineral resin (Roca Stonex type): 200 - 450 €
- Custom-built tray with mosaic or microcement: 400 - 800 € (including construction)
If you’re looking for a functional and affordable option, take a look at our Compact Wet Room design: it’s built for small bathrooms where every centimetre counts.
Taps and fittings
- Basic single-lever mixer (Roca Victoria, Tres Base): 40 - 80 € per unit
- Mid-range single-lever mixer (Grohe Eurosmart, Roca Atlas): 80 - 180 €
- Thermostatic shower mixer (Grohe Grohtherm, Roca T-2000): 180 - 400 €
- Concealed shower fittings: 250 - 600 €
A complete set of taps (basin + shower) ranges from 150 euros for basic to over 1,000 for concealed premium. To see how it looks in a real high-end design, check out our Walk-in Invisible.
Shower screen
- Basic sliding (6 mm glass): 200 - 400 €
- Fixed tempered glass 8 mm: 350 - 700 €
- Walk-in 10 mm with premium hardware: 700 - 1,500 €
The hidden costs that almost nobody budgets for
This is where most renovations go off track. Not because the contractor is deceiving you (though that happens too), but because there are items that simply don’t appear in the initial quote and then sneak in through the back door.
Licences and permits
In Valencia, a standard bathroom renovation (without structural modifications) requires a prior notification for minor works to the City Council.
- Municipal fee: 80 - 150 € (varies by district)
- Public road occupancy fee (if you need a skip on the street): 50 - 120 € per week
If there are changes to the layout or common building elements are affected (drainpipes, for example), you may need a works licence, which takes longer and costs more. Read our full article on licences and permits for bathroom renovation in Valencia for more detail.
Rubble removal
The skip isn’t free. And many people don’t include it in their calculations.
- 3 m³ skip (standard for a bathroom): 150 - 250 €
- Carrying rubble down stairs (if there’s no service lift): 100 - 200 € extra
- Disposal at authorised landfill: normally included in the skip price
Some quotes include “rubble removal” but only cover demolition, not the skip. Always ask: “Is the skip included in the price?”
Temporary bathroom
If you only have one bathroom at home (very common in Valencia flats), you need a solution while the work is underway. Options:
- Portable shower / chemical toilet: 150 - 300 € for the week the work takes
- Staying with family: free, but exhausting
- Hotel: depends on your budget, but expect 50 - 100 € per night
Our experience tells us the best option is to plan the timeline well. A well-coordinated renovation can have the toilet operational within 48-72 hours, even if the rest of the bathroom is still in progress.
Surprises inside the wall
When old tiles are demolished, you may find:
- Lead pipes (mandatory replacement): 300 - 800 € depending on extent
- Hidden damp or leaks: 200 - 600 € to repair
- Non-compliant electrical panel: 300 - 600 € to update
- Damaged floor slab or deteriorated compression layer: variable, but never cheap
A good contractor will include a contingency allowance in their quote (typically 5-10% of the total). If you don’t see one, ask. And if they tell you “that never happens,” run.
How Reformarte reads a quote for you
We know all this can be overwhelming. That’s why at Reformarte we don’t just hand you a PDF and leave you alone with it.
Here’s what we do differently:
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Real technical survey: a professional visits your home, measures, photographs and assesses the condition of the installations. We don’t quote over WhatsApp or from “send me a photo.”
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Budget broken down to the last cent: each line item appears separately — materials, labour, timelines. If you want to change the tile for a different one, you know exactly how much the price goes up or down.
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Fixed price: the quote you sign is the price you pay. No items “pending confirmation,” no “this wasn’t included.” The only exceptions are structural surprises that nobody could have foreseen, and these are always communicated and approved before proceeding.
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Video call review: we explain the quote to you line by line. Questions included. If something doesn’t add up, we adjust it.
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Options comparison: we always present at least two finish levels so you can decide with information, not pressure.
You can get an initial estimate with our online calculator and then request a no-obligation technical survey. The full step-by-step process is explained here.
Frequently asked questions about bathroom renovation budgets
How much does it cost to renovate a 5 m² bathroom in Valencia in 2026?
It depends on the finish level. A 5 m² bathroom with basic finishes starts at 3,500 - 5,800 euros. With standard finishes, between 5,800 and 9,500 euros. And a premium renovation can reach up to 17,000 euros. Check our detailed article on how much it costs to renovate a bathroom in Valencia in 2026 for more references.
Which line item is the most expensive in a bathroom renovation?
Generally, wall and floor tiling (materials + labour) is the heaviest item, followed by plumbing. Together they can account for 40-50% of the total budget. That’s why choosing the right tile and deciding whether to change the plumbing layout are the two decisions that most affect the final price.
Is VAT included in the prices you’ve listed?
The prices in the table include 10% VAT, which is the reduced rate applicable to renovations in a primary residence older than 2 years. If your situation doesn’t meet these requirements, the VAT would be 21%. Read all about this topic in VAT on bathroom renovation: 10% vs 21%.
Is it worth getting multiple quotes to compare?
Yes, but compare wisely. A quote for 4,000 euros and another for 7,000 euros aren’t comparable if one includes Porcelanosa tiles and the other says “tiles to be chosen.” Make sure the quotes specify brands, models and references for all materials. If one of them doesn’t, you already have your first red flag.
What percentage of the budget should I set aside for contingencies?
We recommend 8-10% of the total budget. On a standard bathroom renovation that’s 500 - 900 euros. It may seem like a lot, but if lead pipes or hidden damp appear, that cushion prevents you from having to make rushed decisions without money. If it goes unused in the end, all the better.
Have a quote in hand and not sure if it’s fair?
Bring that quote to Reformarte. We’ll review it with you, tell you which items are right, which are missing and where you might be overpaying. No obligation. No cost.
And if you’d rather start from scratch with us, use our calculator to get an initial figure in under 2 minutes, then see how we work step by step. You can also explore our design catalogue to find inspiration before taking the first step.
Your bathroom deserves a quote that makes sense. And you deserve to know exactly where every euro goes.
