Lidstein

Guide · Bathrooms

Bathroom renovation: what it costs and how it runs

Guide prices per square metre, the five cost blocks, realistic timelines — and when the care fund contributes.

Updated: 13 August 2026 Reading time: approx. 6 minutes Lidstein, Reutlingen

The short answer: A complete bathroom renovation in 2026 costs roughly 3,500–5,500 € per m² of bathroom area — a typical 6–8 m² bathroom lands between 20,000 and 40,000 € depending on fittings, and takes 2 to 4 weeks. Accessibility conversions attract a care-fund subsidy of up to 4,180 € per eligible person.

Bathroom renovated by Lidstein: walk-in shower with black tray and light wall panels
From a Lidstein project: walk-in shower with black tray after a complete renovation.

What makes up the cost?

Cost blocks for a complete renovation, 6–8 m² bathroom (2026 guide prices)
Cost block Scope Guide price
Strip-out & disposalOld fittings, tiles, screed openings1,000–2,500 €
Rough-inNew water, waste and electrical runs3,500–7,000 €
Waterproofing & tilingBonded waterproofing, wall and floor finishes5,000–10,000 €
Sanitaryware & tapsShower, WC, basin, furniture4,000–12,000 €
Light, ventilation, decorationSpots, mirror, extractor, ceiling1,500–4,000 €

Guide prices from Lidstein project practice, 2026. Special cases (layout changes, long pipe runs, natural stone) sit above these ranges.

What drives the price most?

  • Pipe routes: moving the WC or shower to another wall means re-planning waste falls and supplies — the most common cost jump.
  • Shower concept: a flush walk-in shower needs screed work and precise waterproofing — comfort and value, at a premium over a tray.
  • Specification: between standard ceramics and branded fittings sit 5,000 € quickly — buying direct from the manufacturer shrinks that gap considerably.

How does it run — and how long does it take?

  1. Week 0: survey, planning, ordering (2–4 weeks lead time).
  2. Week 1: strip-out, water and electrical rough-in.
  3. Week 2: screed, bonded waterproofing, tiling.
  4. Week 3: fitting, sealing, light, decoration — handover.

At Lidstein all trades run in one schedule with one contact — and on request at a fixed price, so three weeks stay three weeks and the offer never turns into a change-order list.

Which subsidies exist?

  • Care fund: with a recognised care grade, up to 4,180 € per person towards accessibility measures — flush shower, grab rails, anti-slip floors (§ 40 SGB XI).
  • KfW 455-B: grant for age-appropriate conversion; the annual budget is capped — apply before starting and check availability at kfw.de.
  • Tax relief § 35a/35c EStG: labour costs are partly deductible; renovation cases enjoy extended rates.

Frequently asked questions

What does a complete bathroom renovation cost?

As a 2026 guide price: roughly 3,500 to 5,500 euros per square metre. A typical 6–8 m² bathroom usually lands between 20,000 and 40,000 euros depending on fittings — a reliable figure requires a site survey.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

Two to four weeks for a complete bathroom: strip-out, rough-in, waterproofing, tiling, fitting. A single trade chain without waiting time keeps the schedule honest.

Are there subsidies for bathroom renovation in Germany?

For accessibility conversions: up to 4,180 euros per person with a recognised care grade from the care fund, plus the KfW 455-B programme (annual budget limited). Purely cosmetic updates are not subsidised.

Is a partial renovation worth it?

Only if waterproofing and pipework are demonstrably sound. Otherwise you renovate twice — the biggest costs sit in rough-in and waterproofing, and so do the most expensive consequential damages.

Your bathroom, one fixed price

Send us a floor plan or photos of your bathroom — you will get an honest first assessment with a cost range.