How to Start a Bathroom Fitting Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Bathroom fitting is not just plumbing. It is a multi-trade, multi-day project business. You win on accurate surveys, tight scopes, and clean handovers. You lose money on hidden defects, late client changes, and unmanaged access or downtime.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Bathroom Fitting Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and kills margins.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with refits if you are solo.
• Add full renovations when your survey and scope control are tight.
• Build repeat work with landlords once your process is reliable.

Compliance and Safety (UK)

There is no single license required, but you must follow Building Regulations and work safely.

Key compliance basics

• Part P electrical work must be carried out by a competent person or certified electrician.
• Water Regulations apply to plumbing changes and backflow protection.
• Gas Safe registration is required for any gas appliance work.
• Asbestos awareness is important in older properties and textured coatings.
• Ventilation requirements may apply if you alter fans or ducting.

If you are unsure about a requirement, check with local Building Control before starting.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

Bathrooms combine water, electrics, and finishes. A leak can become a costly claim.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£5,000 to £12,000)

• Core hand and power tools
• Basic plumbing and tiling kit
• Dust protection and extraction
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£18,000 to £45,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Full plumbing and tiling equipment
• Laser levels, tile cutters, wet saw
• Waterproofing and prep systems
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Pipe tools, cutters, and press tools
• Tiling kit and wet saw
• Laser level and tape measure
• Dust sheets, floor protection, extraction
• Silicone tools and sealant kit

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Tile levelling system and grout wash tools
• Thermal camera or moisture meter
• Wall chaser and dust control
• Wet room former and waterproofing systems
• Jobsite photos kit and lighting

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Bathroom margins disappear when prep, downtime, and changes are priced wrong.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £6,000 target income + £1,500 overhead = £7,500 £7,500 / 115 billable hours = £65 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Fixed project price: Best for full refits and renovations.
• Day rate: Good for repairs and small changes.
• Per item: Useful for partial upgrades (vanity, shower, toilet).

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate prep and strip-out from install in your scope.
• Price waste removal and skips explicitly.
• Define number of coats for waterproofing and sealants.
• Include a clear finish schedule (paint, silicone, clean, photos).

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Survey Checklist (Copy/Paste)

A bad survey creates a bad quote. Use this before pricing.

Survey:
- Access and parking
- Water pressure and pipe condition
- Electrical points and extractor location
- Ventilation and window access
- Subfloor condition and level
- Existing damp or leaks
- Waste route and skip placement

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and surprise extras.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Remove existing suite: [yes/no]
- Install: [bath/shower/toilet/vanity]
- Tiling: [walls/floor] with [sqm]
- Plumbing changes: [list]
- Electrical changes: [list]
Materials:
- Included (brand/spec listed)
Exclusions:
- Structural changes
- Hidden damage or rotten timbers
- Electrical work beyond agreed scope
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Price:
- £[amount]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders (Hidden Defects and Client Changes)

Bathrooms hide problems. Protect yourself with a simple rule.

Change order request:
- Additional scope: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

If the customer changes scope mid-job, use this: Customer Changed Job Scope After You Started.

Deposits and Progress Payments

Bathroom fitting is materials heavy. Do not fund it yourself.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 40/40/20 for larger projects
• Materials paid up front if supply is volatile

If a customer refuses a deposit, treat it as a red flag: Customer Refuses to Pay Deposit: Red Flags.

Snagging Checklist

Finish quality wins reviews.

• Check silicone lines and joints
• Confirm tile alignment and grout finish
• Test all taps, drains, and seals
• Photograph the final finish
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Underfloor heating
• Heated towel rails
• Wall niche or storage upgrades

Winning Customers (Fast)

Bathrooms are visual and trust-driven.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on social media
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with landlords and letting agents
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual refresh for rentals
• Maintenance plans for landlords
• Seasonal leak checks and seal refresh

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per job
• Quote win rate
• Change order rate
• Snag or rework rate
• Average margin per job
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for refits, wet rooms, and upgrades.
• Save your scope and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 2 multi-day jobs with deposits

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track strip-out and prep time
• Add a change order policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for full refits

Final Word: Control the Scope

The best bathroom fitters do not just install. They manage scope, coordinate trades, and deliver clean finishes that earn referrals. Price for prep, document changes, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for bathroom fitters? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->