"How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?" is one of the questions we receive most often. And it is also one of the hardest to answer with a single figure, because the cost of a bathroom renovation depends on many factors: the size, the scope of the work, the materials chosen, the condition of existing plumbing systems, and the geographic area. What we can do is give you an honest and concrete guide, based on our direct experience on hundreds of construction sites in Bologna and Emilia-Romagna.

In this article we explain what truly affects the price, which cost items many people underestimate, and how to obtain a real quote without unpleasant surprises once work has begun.

How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom in Bologna in 2026

For a medium-sized bathroom (5–8 sqm) with a full renovation — demolition, new plumbing system and electrical system, wall tiling, sanitary ware, fittings/taps and shower enclosure — the cost in Bologna ranges between €6,000 and €14,000. A basic job replacing only the sanitary ware and fittings/taps without touching the systems can start from €2,500–€3,500. A high-end bathroom with premium materials, a walk-in shower and custom design can exceed €20,000. The most common range in the residential renovations we handle is between €7,000 and €10,000 for a complete bathroom with good-quality materials.

The cost items many people underestimate

The first mistake people make when assessing the cost of a bathroom is focusing only on the visible materials — tiles, sanitary ware, fittings/taps — forgetting everything behind the walls. Replacing the plumbing system, when necessary, can account for between €1,500 and €3,000 depending on the complexity. The bathroom's electrical system requires bringing it up to code with dedicated circuits and protected sockets, at a cost starting from €500–€800. Demolition and disposal of existing materials has its own cost that is often not included in initial quotes. And finally, installation: an expert tiler for large-format wall tiling or special grout patterns can cost significantly more than a standard installation.

Partial or full renovation: what makes sense

Many clients ask us whether it is worth doing only part of the work to save money. Our honest answer is: it depends on the age of the systems. If the bathroom is more than 20–25 years old, opening the walls just to change the wall tiling and leaving the old systems in place is an apparent saving — within a few years everything will need to be opened up again. If, on the other hand, the systems are recent and in good condition, a cosmetic renovation of wall tiling and sanitary ware makes sense and can deliver excellent results at a contained cost. Checking the condition of the systems during the site visit is therefore essential before any decision is made.

How to obtain a real quote

The only way to get a reliable quote is to request an on-site visit. During the visit, an expert technician will assess the condition of the existing systems, the technical feasibility of the requested changes, and any hidden issues — damp, traces of mould, out-of-code pipework. Only after this assessment is it possible to draw up a detailed and definitive quote, with all cost items listed separately and estimated execution times. Be wary of anyone who sends you a quote over the phone without having seen the bathroom: they cannot know what they will find once the walls are opened.

In summary, before starting your bathroom renovation remember: