Bathroom renovation: price 2026 — complete cost overview by type
Straight answer: A complete bathroom renovation in Belgium costs in 2026 between €8.500 and €28.000 including materials, demolition and installation. Average: €11.000-15.000 for 5-7m². The exact amount depends on surface area, material choice, plumbing and whether you qualify for 6% BTW (home >10 years).
You want to renovate your bathroom, but prices vary enormously. One contractor says €6.000, the other €18.000. Who isn't lying? Answer: probably both — they mean something different. This guide gives you the actual cost based on 187 renovations that Alpha Services Benelux carried out in 2024-2025 in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and surrounding areas.
What is included in the price of a bathroom renovation?
A complete renovation is not a "replace the tiles and done". It typically includes 7 components, and you pay for all of them — whether you consciously order them or not.
| Part | % of total | Budget (€) | Premium (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition of existing bathroom | 5-8% | €500 | €1.500 |
| Pipes + sewerage (incl. relocation) | 15-20% | €1.500 | €4.000 |
| Electricity (lighting, ventilation) | 5-8% | €600 | €1.800 |
| Preparatory work (screed, waterproofing) | 10-15% | €1.000 | €3.000 |
| Tiling (wall + floor) | 20-30% | €2.000 | €7.000 |
| Sanitary (shower, bath, toilet, washbasin) | 15-25% | €1.500 | €6.000 |
| Finishing (taps, mirrors, furniture, lighting) | 10-15% | €1.000 | €3.500 |
What many contractors forget to mention: demolition and disposal alone already costs €500-1,500. If the price in a quote is suspiciously low, "demolition" is usually added to the invoice as additional work.
2. Price per type of renovation (3 scenarios from 2025-2026)
Scenario A — Budget renovation (4-5m², no pipe relocation)
| Post | Amount |
|---|---|
| Demolition + disposal | €650 |
| Pipes (existing positions) | €1.200 |
| Electricity (1 light point, 1 socket) | €500 |
| Waterproofing + screed | €900 |
| Tiles (budget, €25/m²) | €1.200 |
| Bathroom fixtures (shower 90×90, toilet, washbasin) | €1.800 |
| Taps + finishing | €850 |
| Working hours (3 weeks) | €1.400 |
| Total (excl. BTW) | €8.500 |
| BTW 6% | €510 |
| Total including 6% BTW | €9.010 |
Scenario B — Mid-range (6-7m², standard pipework)
This is the most requested category. Typical for a terraced house in Brussels or Antwerp. Real example: Fam. Janssens, Ukkel, spring 2025.
| Post | Amount |
|---|---|
| Demolition + container | €950 |
| Pipes + 2 call-outs | €2.400 |
| Electricity (3 light points, 2 power outlets, ventilation) | €950 |
| Waterproofing + screed | €1.400 |
| Tiles (mid-range, €55/m²) | €2.500 |
| Sanitary fixtures (walk-in shower 120×90, wall-hung toilet, double washbasin) | €3.500 |
| Taps (thermostatic), vanity unit, mirror, LED | €1.800 |
| Working hours (4 weeks) | €2.500 |
| Total (excl. BTW) | €16.000 |
| BTW 6% | €960 |
| Total including 6% BTW | €16.960 |
Scenario C — Premium (9-12m², design, custom work)
For those who really want to get it done. Think underfloor heating, a freestanding bath, a designer tap, natural stone.
| Post | Amount |
|---|---|
| Complete strip + structural adjustment | €2.200 |
| Pipes completely new + underfloor heating | €4.500 |
| Electricity (6 light points, 4 sockets, smart controls) | €1.800 |
| Waterproofing + screed + anhydrite | €2.000 |
| Tiles (premium porcelain or natural stone) | €6.500 |
| Sanitary fixtures (freestanding bath, rain shower 200×100, double washbasin) | €6.500 |
| Finishing (custom furniture, designer taps, mirror with anti-condensation) | €3.500 |
| Working hours (6 weeks) | €3.500 |
| Total (excl. BTW) | €30.500 |
| BTW 6% | €1.830 |
| Total including 6% BTW | €32.330 |
3. Which VAT rate applies to you?
The difference between 6% and 21% BTW can save €1.500-3.000 on an average renovation.
| Situation | BTW rate | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| House older than 10 years, total renovation by contractor | 6% | Property serves as a private residence; contractor supplies materials + installation |
| Home less than 10 years old | 21% | No reduced rate |
| You buy the materials yourself, only hire labor. | 21% on labour + 21% on materials | No entitlement to 6% |
| Renovation of bathroom in new construction (<10j) | 21% | — |
| Renovation of student room / rental property | 21% | Not used as a private residence |
Our tip: Your contractor must correctly fill in the 6% certificate on the invoice. Don't see a 6% mention? Then you may pay 21% while you are entitled to 6%.
4. Which subsidies exist in 2026?
Vlaanderen — Mijn VerbouwPremie
If your home is at least 15 years old, you can receive up to €4.750 grant for bathroom renovation. Calculated as 35% of the invoice amount (excl. BTW), with a maximum of €4.750. Application is processed via vlaanderen.be. You need the certificate from your contractor.
Brussel — Renolution
The Brussels-Capital Region grants 30-50% premium on renovation invoices, with a maximum of €10,000 per home over 5 years. Conditions: invoice via registered contractor, home at least 30 years old for insulation, 15 years for sanitary. Apply via renolution.brussels.
Wallonia — Housing
For renovation in Wallonia, municipal grants exist. They vary per municipality (Liège, Mons, Namur, Charleroi each have their own systems). Usually 25-40% of the invoice.
5. What influences the price the most?
Based on 187 projects, we identified these factors as the biggest price drivers:
- Relocating pipework — €800-2.500 extra per relocation. If your dream bathroom needs the sanitary fixtures on a different wall, you pay for this.
- Tile choice — from €25/m² (budget Spanish) to €180/m² (Italian porcelain). Over 12m², that difference is €1.860.
- Tap finishing — one tap: €80 (DIY store) to €1.200 (design brand Hansgrohe/Dornbracht). With 4 taps that’s a €4.500 difference.
- Walk-in shower vs shower tray — a walk-in shower with a glass wall costs €2.000-3.500 extra compared to a shower tray on legs.
- Construction year of the home — homes built before 1970 often have lead pipes, asbestos tiles or a concrete screed that requires a complete strip-out.
6. How long does a bathroom renovation take?
| Type | Lead time |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic (replace sanitary fixtures, keep pipework) | 1-2 weeks |
| Standard (new pipes, 1-2 relocations) | 3-4 weeks |
| Full (strip-out + structural + custom work) | 5-7 weeks |
A realistic schedule: 4-5 weeks for most projects, including drying time for screed (3-5 days) and waterproofing (24-48h drying time). Add 1-2 weeks for ordering sanitary fixtures if you choose custom work.
7. Common mistakes that cost €2.000-5.000 extra
- ❌ No fixed quote in advance — 38% of the clients in our audit paid more than originally communicated. Always ask for a detailed quote on paper with a materials list and hourly rate.
- ❌ Buying materials yourself and only having the contractor do the labour — you lose the 6% BTW advantage, so it’s sometimes 15% more expensive. Plus: the contractor can’t give a warranty on material he didn’t supply.
- ❌ No waterproofing under tiles — 12% of the renovations we redid had this issue. Result: mould, leaks, often €3.000-8.000 in damage.
- ❌ Insufficient ventilation — without proper extraction (VMC) you’ll have mould within 2 years. Costs €800-1.500 upfront, €3.000+ for mould remediation afterwards.
- ❌ Forgetting to combine electrical work — 70% of clients realise halfway through that they want extra sockets. Combining with plumbing = demolition work once. Separately = double costs.
8. Checklist: what should you ask a contractor?
- ✓ Detailed quote on paper, with materials list, hourly rate, estimated lead time, BTW rate and payment schedule.
- ✓ BTW number (verify at kbopub.economie.fgov.be)
- ✓ Civil liability insurance (ask for a certificate, minimum cover €1 million)
- ✓ 10-year decennial warranty on construction and waterproofing work (legally mandatory in Belgium since 2019)
- ✓ AREI/RGIE certificate for electrical work
- ✓ Fixed price or estimated price with an explicit clause about additional work
- ✓ References — ask for 3 reference addresses from the last year
9. When is it NOT worth renovating?
Honest advice from a contractor who won’t sugarcoat it: don’t renovate if:
- Your home will be sold within 5 years and the bathroom is in reasonable condition
- The structure (floor, walls) has a serious moisture problem — fix that first
- The electrical installation is due for renewal (in that case, better plan a full renovation)
- You’ll stay in the home for less than 5 years (ROI on a bathroom is typically 10-15 years)
10. Conclusion: how much should you set aside?
| Project type | Realistic price (incl. 6% BTW) |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (no pipework) | €4.000 - €7.000 |
| Standard renovation 5-7m² | €11.000 - €17.000 |
| Full renovation 8-10m² | €18.000 - €25.000 |
| Premium custom work 10m²+ | €25.000 - €35.000+ |
For most Belgians, a realistic budget is €13.000-18.000 for a complete average-sized bathroom renovation, with solid materials, by a registered contractor.
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FAQ — Frequently asked questions about bathroom renovation prices 2026
What does a bathroom renovation cost in 2026?
Between €8.500 (budget, 4m²) and €28.000 (premium, 10m²+), including materials, demolition, installation and BTW. Average in Belgium: €11.000-15.000 for a complete renovation of 5-7m².
Which BTW rate applies to a bathroom renovation?
6% BTW if the home is older than 10 years and the renovation is carried out by a contractor. 21% BTW if the home is younger than 10 years or you purchase materials yourself.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
On average 2-4 weeks for a complete renovation. Smaller updates (replacing sanitary fixtures, no pipework): 1-2 weeks.
Which subsidies are available in 2026 for a bathroom renovation?
In Flanders: Mijn VerbouwPremie up to €4.750 for renovation. In Brussels: 'Renolution' premium up to 30% of the invoice. In Wallonia: Habitation grants per municipality. Conditions: home >15 years old, invoice from a registered contractor.
What is the cheapest way to renovate a bathroom?
Keep the existing pipes and sewer. Replace only sanitary fixtures, showerhead and tiles. Costs €4.000-7.000. Not recommended with old pipes (>25 years).