14 February 2026Mark Smith
A full bathroom refit — strip-out, first-fix plumbing, electrics, plastering, tiling, second-fix, seal, and snag — takes between five and eight working days, done properly.
Anyone who tells you three or four is either cutting corners (usually on the tiling or the waterproofing) or bringing a second fitter and charging you for one.
Here's the honest day-by-day for a standard 2.5m × 1.8m bathroom refit.
Day 1 — Strip-out Old suite out, old tiles off, floor lifted if needed. Mess day. We sheet the hallway and stairs.
Day 2 — First-fix plumbing + electrics New pipework run, waste relocated if needed, new electrical circuits for lighting and extractor fan.
Day 3 — Plasterboard + tanking Walls made good, wet areas tanked (waterproofed). This has to dry overnight — no cutting this short.
Days 4–5 — Tiling The job that takes the longest. Proper tiling cannot be rushed — the adhesive needs time to set before grouting.
Day 6 — Second-fix + fit suite Bath, WC, basin, shower, taps all installed and plumbed in.
Day 7 — Silicone, grout, snag Final seals, grouting touched up, fittings polished, room deep cleaned.
Day 8 (if needed) — Snag list Any final tweaks, door adjustments, or extras. We don't invoice until you sign off.
So when you're quoting fitters and one promises four days, ask them how they're doing it. The honest answer is: they're not.
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