Bathroom Renovation Cost — What Does It Cost in 2026?

The bathroom is the most expensive room in the home to renovate per square metre. The reason is one thing: water. Everything in a bathroom must be able to withstand daily contact with water, and everything beneath the surfaces must protect the structure from moisture. This requires specialist tradespeople and materials with a long service life.

But what does it actually cost? Here is a realistic overview.

Prices — three quality levels

For a 5–8 m² bathroom (the most common size in Danish homes):

Basic (80,000–120,000 DKK) Standard tiles, white sanitary ware, shower enclosure, new floor and walls with wet room waterproofing. Functional and durable, but without special material or design requirements. This is the level most people choose.

Mid-range (120,000–180,000 DKK) Better tiles, underfloor heating, walk-in shower with glass screen, wall-hung toilet, designer taps. This is where it starts to feel well considered — and you have more freedom in material choices.

High-end (180,000–300,000+ DKK) Large format tiles, natural stone, custom-designed furniture, built-in taps, niche lighting, possibly a bathtub. Here you pay for quality, aesthetics and details.

What is included in the price?

A complete bathroom renovation typically includes:

• Demolition of existing tiles, floor and wall cladding — 8,000–15,000 DKK
• Plumbing — relocation or replacement of drains, water pipes, mixer taps — 15,000–35,000 DKK
• Electrical — new sockets, lighting, possibly underfloor heating — 8,000–20,000 DKK
• Wet room waterproofing — membrane on floors and walls in the wet zone — 10,000–20,000 DKK
• Tiles — floor and walls, including adhesive and grouting — 15,000–50,000 DKK
• Sanitary ware — toilet, washbasin, shower/bath, taps — 10,000–40,000 DKK
• Ceiling and ventilation — new ceiling, possibly mechanical extract — 5,000–12,000 DKK
• Disposal of old materials — 3,000–6,000 DKK

What you should NOT cut corners on

There are three things you should never compromise on in a bathroom:

Wet room waterproofing. The membrane beneath the tiles is the only thing protecting the load-bearing structure from water. Mistakes here cause moisture damage that can cost 200,000–500,000 DKK to repair — far more than the saving you made by cutting 10,000 DKK. Wet room waterproofing must be carried out by a certified tradesperson.

Licensed plumber. It is a legal requirement that plumbing work in wet rooms is carried out by a licensed plumber. Unlicensed work provides no warranty, no insurance cover, and potentially major damage.

Ventilation. A bathroom without adequate ventilation will develop mould — it is only a matter of time. If your bathroom has no window, mechanical extract ventilation is mandatory.

DIY: What can you do yourself?

You can save 10,000–30,000 DKK by doing some of the work yourself — but only the right parts:

You can do yourself: Paint ceiling and walls (outside the wet zone), fit bathroom furniture and shelving, remove old tiles (with tools and patience), fit accessories such as towel hooks and mirrors.

You cannot do yourself: Plumbing work, electrical work in wet rooms, wet room waterproofing. These three require a licence, and mistakes can void your insurance cover.

Timeline

A complete bathroom renovation typically takes 3–5 weeks:

1. Week 1: Demolition, disposal, possible pipe capping
2. Weeks 1–2: Plumbing runs, electrical installation, underfloor heating
3. Weeks 2–3: Wet room waterproofing, drying time, tiling
4. Weeks 3–4: Grouting, fitting sanitary ware and taps
5. Weeks 4–5: Finishing, ceiling, painting, cleaning

Add waiting time: many tradespeople have 4–12 week waiting lists. Book well in advance.

When MUST the bathroom be renovated?

Not all bathrooms require a complete renovation. But there are signs you should not ignore:

• Loose tiles — may mean the wet room waterproofing behind has failed
• Discolouration in grout — mould in silicone is common, but in cement grout it can indicate moisture problems behind the tiles
• Smell of drains — may be caused by dry water traps, defective drains or missing flood stoppers
• Visible moisture on walls or floors outside the bathroom — the most serious sign: water is penetrating into the surrounding structure

Bathrooms from before 1990 rarely have wet room waterproofing to modern standards. If your bathroom is over 30 years old and has never been renovated, you should consider a moisture survey.

Grants and tax deductions

Certain parts of a bathroom renovation can be claimed through the BoligJob scheme (the tradespeople deduction). This typically applies to labour costs for plumbing, electrical and installation work — but not materials. Check the current rules and amounts on the Danish Tax Agency’s website.

Energy-saving measures such as installation of water-saving taps or improved ventilation can in some cases qualify for grants. The amounts are rarely large for bathrooms, but it is worth investigating.

Choosing the right time

Tradespeople typically have the shortest waiting lists from November to February. If you plan renovation for the winter months, you can often get an earlier start and better prices. Avoid April–June, when most people book.

And remember: while the bathroom is being renovated (3–5 weeks), you will need an alternative. If you only have one bathroom, it may be worth borrowing a neighbour’s or renting a mobile shower solution.

The bathroom as part of a larger renovation

Many people choose to renovate the bathroom at the same time as other works — for example a new kitchen or a complete flat renovation. This gives economies of scale on plumbing, electrical and tradespeople, and you only have one period of construction disruption. If you are planning underfloor heating in the bathroom, it is cheapest to install it while the floor is already open.

Sources: V&S Prisdata, Byggeskadefonden, Bolius bathroom guide.

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