The cost that is not the tiles
Tanking membrane over the walls and floor of the wet zone, taped at every junction. This is the waterproof layer, and it is what stops a leak reaching the ceiling below.
A graded former or a screed fall to the drain, so water leaves the room rather than pooling.
Drainage. A linear channel drain costs more than a centre gully, and moving the waste run adds labour.
Floor structure. Timber floors may need strengthening or a board upgrade before tiling.
What changes the price up or down
Ground floor concrete slabs are usually cheaper to work with than suspended timber upstairs.
Large-format porcelain looks superb but needs a flatter substrate and takes longer to lay on a fall.
Frameless glass screens cost more than framed panels but are easier to keep clean.
Underfloor heating fitted at the same time is far cheaper than adding it afterwards.
Where wet rooms go wrong
Skipped or partial tanking is the single most common failure we are called to fix.
Too little fall, so water sits on the floor and grout stains.
Ventilation that is undersized for the room, which shows up as damp and mould within a year.
Accessible and disabled wet rooms: what moves the price
An accessible wet room is priced on the same foundations as any other: tanking, the fall to the drain and the drainage route. What changes is how strictly those have to be done, because a level-access floor has no tray lip to hide a shallow fall.
Truly level entry from the landing or hallway often means lowering or rebuilding part of the floor so the finished tiles meet the door threshold flush. On suspended timber that is a structural job; on a concrete slab it may mean breaking out for the waste.
Slip resistance matters more than looks. Smaller tiles with more grout lines grip better underfoot than large-format porcelain, and they also follow a fall more easily, which can bring labour down.
Fixings for grab rails and a fold-down seat need solid backing behind the tanked board, planned before tiling. Adding it afterwards means cutting into the waterproofing.
A wider, frameless or half-height screen, a thermostatic valve and a lever-operated tap all add to the fixture list. We price every item on the written quote so nothing appears later.
We do not publish a separate disabled wet room price, because the floor build-up decides it. The free survey is where we confirm it.
Frequently asked questions
Why can a wet room cost more than a shower enclosure?
A wet room needs tanking, a graded floor and suitable drainage across a wider area. The exact difference depends on the existing floor and drain position.
Can any bathroom become a wet room?
Most can, but the floor build-up and drainage route decide it. We confirm at the free survey rather than guessing.
Do wet rooms leak?
Not when they are tanked properly and given the right fall. The leaks we get called to repair are nearly always failures of the waterproofing stage, not the tiles.
Are you insured for this work?
Yes, fully insured, and certificates are available on request before work starts.