Renovating a bathroom in Spain costs, as a guideline, between €3,000 and €9,000 in 2027 for a standard 4 to 5 m² bathroom, depending on the scope. A partial update—changing sanitary ware, faucets, and shower screens with minimal construction—starts at lower figures, while a comprehensive renovation with new plumbing, electrical work, and tiling falls in the high range.
Putting a price on a bathroom renovation is difficult because no two bathrooms are the same: square footage, the state of the installations, the quality of the materials, and, above all, the labor are all factors. In this guide, we break down the cost item by item with guideline ranges for 2027, explain the difference between a partial and a comprehensive renovation, and provide you with a method to calculate your own budget. The products we cite as a reference (sanitary ware, faucets, and screens) are taken from real product sheets in the Merkimarket bathroom catalog.
Key facts about the price of renovating a bathroom
- Comprehensive renovation (4-5 m² bathroom): between €3,000 and €9,000 as a guideline, depending on materials and scope of work.
- Partial renovation without major construction (changing toilet, sink, faucets, and screen): from about €1,200–€2,500.
- Labor: usually represents between 40% and 60% of the total budget.
- Duration: 1 to 3 weeks depending on whether you need to demolish, move drains, or redo installations.
- Reduced VAT: renovations in homes older than two years may be taxed at 10% VAT if the material provided by the company does not exceed 40% of the base; confirm this with your installer.
- Legal warranty: products purchased by consumers in Spain have a minimum three-year warranty against conformity defects.
With this summary, you now have an order of magnitude; below, we develop each point so you can refine your budget.
What the price of a bathroom renovation depends on
Before looking at figures, it is useful to understand what drives the cost up or down. The four decisive factors are: surface area (more meters mean more tiling, more flooring, and more hours), the state of the installations (if the plumbing or electrical work is obsolete, it must be renewed), the level of the renovation (changing finishes is not the same as relocating the toilet or tearing down walls), and the quality of materials, where the difference between a basic range and a medium-high range can double the product item without touching the labor.
A fifth factor that many forget is moving water or drain points. Changing the location of the toilet or the shower tray requires redoing downspouts and is usually one of the decisions that increases the cost of a renovation the most. If you can keep the layout, you will save a notable amount.
Cost breakdown by items
This is the part that really allows you to understand a budget. A comprehensive bathroom renovation consists of construction items (masonry, plumbing, electricity, tiling) and product items (sanitary ware, screen, faucets, furniture). These are the guideline ranges for a standard bathroom in 2027:
| Item | What it includes | Guideline range |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and removal | Breaking tiles, removing old sanitary ware, and rubble management | €250 - €600 |
| Plumbing and drains | Renewing pipes, water intakes, and downspouts | €400 - €1,200 |
| Electricity | Light points, sockets, and connection for LED mirror | €250 - €700 |
| Tiling and flooring | Tile, porcelain, and installation (material + labor) | €700 - €2,500 |
| Sanitary ware | Toilet and sink (product) | €250 - €900 |
| Shower tray and screen | Resin or porcelain tray + screen | €400 - €1,500 |
| Faucets | Sink, shower, and matching accessories | €150 - €700 |
| Furniture and mirror | Vanity unit, mirror, and storage | €200 - €900 |
| Labor / masonry | Installation, finishing, and trade coordination | €1,000 - €2,500 |
Added together, these items explain why a basic bathroom can cost around €3,000–€4,000 and why one with medium-high range materials and complete construction easily approaches €8,000–€9,000. Remember that product ranges vary by finish and brand: check each product sheet for the current price.
Partial renovation vs. comprehensive renovation
You don't always need to gut the bathroom. If the tiles and flooring are in good condition and the layout works for you, a partial renovation—changing the toilet, sink, faucets, and shower screen—completely renews the feel of the bathroom with a much lower investment, starting from about €1,200–€2,500 depending on the products chosen. It is the most profitable option when the problem is aesthetic or due to wear and tear, not structural.
A comprehensive renovation makes sense when there is dampness, old installations, you want to change the bathtub for a shower tray, or you are looking to modify the layout. This involves construction, plumbing, and tiling, and the budget multiplies. If your case is precisely replacing a bathtub, you may be interested in our specific guide on changing a bathtub for a shower tray, where we detail the price and process. And to plan timing and avoid cost overruns, review the phases in renovating the bathroom: phases, deadlines, and costly mistakes.
Where to save without sacrificing quality
Cutting costs in a renovation doesn't mean buying the cheapest thing, but spending wisely. These are the decisions that save the most without it being noticeable in the result:
- Keep the layout. Not moving the toilet or drains avoids redoing downspouts, the most expensive and dirtiest work.
- Choose faucets with good value for money. A brass single-lever faucet with a ceramic cartridge performs for years; brands like IMEX offer modern finishes without a premium price. You can see it in the Monza brushed gold sink faucet.
- Prioritize where you touch and look. Invest in faucets, shower screens, and sanitary ware; save on decorative details that you can change later.
- Buy the material yourself and leave only the labor to the tradesperson if you know exactly what you want: it is usually cheaper than "all-inclusive."
- Take advantage of the reduced VAT. In homes older than two years, many renovations are taxed at 10%; consult this with your installer.
How to calculate your budget step by step
- Measure the bathroom and write down the meters of floor and wall to be tiled: this is the basis for the material items.
- Decide the scope: are you just changing products or also doing construction? Mark which items from the table apply to your case.
- Determine if you are keeping the layout. If you move water or drains, add a margin for plumbing and masonry.
- Choose the products and add up their real price from the product sheets (sanitary ware, faucets, screen, furniture).
- Ask for two or three labor quotes with the same items to compare apples to apples.
- Reserve 10-15% for contingencies. In renovations, something almost always turns up when you start breaking ground (dampness, old pipes).
Frequently asked questions about the cost of renovating a bathroom
How much does it cost to renovate a small bathroom?
A small bathroom (around 3-4 m²) reduces tiling and flooring items, so a comprehensive renovation usually falls between €2,500 and €5,000 as a guideline. Labor drops less than expected because many jobs are charged by the task, not just by the meter.
What part of the budget does labor take?
As a general rule, labor represents between 40% and 60% of the total in a comprehensive renovation. That is why maintaining the layout and reducing construction work is what lowers the final budget the most.
Can the 10% reduced VAT be paid on the renovation?
Yes, in homes older than two years and when the material provided by the company does not exceed 40% of the base, the renovation can be taxed at 10% VAT. It is advisable to confirm this with the installer before signing the budget.
How long does it take to renovate a bathroom?
Between 1 and 3 weeks. A partial renovation (changing sanitary ware and faucets) can be resolved in a few days; a comprehensive one with demolition, plumbing, and new tiling approaches three weeks, including drying times.
Ready to choose products and finalize your budget? Explore the full Merkimarket bathroom catalog, with toilets, faucets, screens, and furniture with shipping throughout Spain. And if you are undecided between models, take a look at the Roca The Gap Round toilet as a reference for medium-range sanitary ware.
Article written by the Merkimarket editorial team. Prices are guideline ranges for 2027 in Spain and may vary depending on the area, materials, and condition of the bathroom; consult each product sheet and request a quote for current figures.
