Labour Cost Breakdown for Bathroom Renovations in Ireland

Bathroom renovation labour costs in Ireland (2026), including plumbing, tiling, electrical and installation breakdowns with full project cost examples.

1. Overview

Labour is one of the largest components of bathroom renovation cost.

In Ireland (2026), labour typically represents:

30% – 50% of total project cost

Depending on:

Layout changes
Wet room specification
Tiling complexity
Floor structure
Access constraints

Typical labour cost ranges:

Ensuite: €3,000 – €7,000
Small bathroom: €4,000 – €10,000+

Wet rooms and structural changes push totals higher.

2. Trades Involved in a Bathroom Renovation

A full bathroom renovation typically involves:

Plumber
Electrician
Tiler
Carpenter / Joiner
Plasterer
General builder
Glass installer (frameless screens)

Trade coordination significantly affects labour cost.

3. Plumbing Labour

Includes:

First fix pipework
Drainage installation
Second fix sanitaryware
Leak testing

Typical Plumbing Labour Cost

Scope	Typical Cost
Layout retained	€1,200 – €2,500
Minor relocation	€2,000 – €4,000
Full reconfiguration	€3,500 – €7,000

Toilet relocation increases labour substantially.

4. Electrical Labour

Includes:

Lighting installation
Extractor fan fitting
Shaver socket
Heated towel rail wiring
Zoning compliance

Typical Electrical Labour Cost

Scope	Typical Cost
Basic upgrade	€600 – €1,200
Full rewire of room	€1,200 – €2,500
Consumer unit upgrade (if required)	€800 – €2,000

Electrical costs vary based on existing system condition.

5. Tiling Labour

Tiling is often the largest labour component.

Typical labour-only rates:

€40 – €70 per m²

Example:

35m² tiled area × €55 per m² = €1,925 labour

Complex layouts increase labour by 20–50%.

6. Waterproofing Labour

Includes:

Membrane application
Joint sealing
Drying time management

Typical labour portion:

€500 – €1,500

Often combined with tiling contractor scope.

7. Carpentry and Joinery Labour

Includes:

Vanity installation
Boxing-in pipework
Door adjustments
Framing for concealed systems

Typical cost range:

€500 – €2,000

Bespoke joinery increases cost significantly.

8. Plastering and Making-Good

Includes:

Wall patching
Ceiling skim
Painting prep

Typical cost range:

€400 – €1,500

Extent depends on demolition scope.

9. Glass Installation

Frameless shower screens require specialist installation.

Typical installation labour:

€300 – €1,000

Premium systems require precision fitting.

10. Labour Cost Examples

Example A – Standard Ensuite

Trade	Labour Cost
Plumbing	€2,000
Electrical	€900
Tiling	€1,800
Waterproofing	€800
Carpentry	€600
Making-good	€500
Total Labour	€6,600

Example B – Small Bathroom with Layout Change

Trade	Labour Cost
Plumbing	€4,500
Electrical	€1,500
Tiling	€2,500
Waterproofing	€1,200
Carpentry	€1,000
Making-good	€800
Total Labour	€11,500

Example C – Wet Room Conversion

Trade	Labour Cost
Plumbing & drainage	€5,500
Electrical	€1,800
Tiling	€3,500
Waterproofing	€1,500
Structural floor work	€2,500
Finishes	€1,200
Total Labour	€16,000