Summary
Bathroom remodelling in Dublin follows a structured 7-day process when done by professional fitters: Day 1 is strip-out, Day 2 is plumbing and electrical, Day 3 is wall and floor preparation with tanking, Days 4–5 are tiling, Day 6 is sanitaryware fitting, and Day 7 is final fix, sealing, and handover. A standard bathroom remodel in Dublin costs €9,000 to €15,000 including all labour and materials. Before the work begins, you’ll need a home survey, a fixed quote, and to select your tiles and sanitaryware. During the 7-day renovation, the bathroom will be out of action — most Dublin homeowners use a second bathroom, a neighbour’s facilities, or a temporary arrangement. This guide walks through every day of a Dublin bathroom remodel so you know exactly what to expect.
Introduction
The idea of remodelling your bathroom sounds great right up until you start thinking about the logistics. What actually happens each day? How long will you be without a working toilet? What decisions do you need to make and when?
For most Dublin homeowners, the bathroom remodel itself isn’t the scary part — it’s the unknown. Not knowing what’s happening behind the dust sheets, not knowing if things are on track, and not knowing whether the quote you agreed will still be the quote you pay.
This guide takes the mystery out of it. Here’s exactly what happens during a bathroom remodelling project in Dublin, day by day, from the moment the old tiles come off to the moment you step into your new shower for the first time.
Before the Build: What Happens First
The actual 7-day installation is the final stage. Before a single tile gets lifted, three things need to happen.
Step 1: The Home Survey
A professional bathroom fitter will:
- Measure the bathroom
- Check the condition of existing plumbing and electrics
- Identify any potential issues (damp, access, structural)
- Discuss your design preferences, layout changes, and budget
- Confirm whether the project is a 7-day standard remodel or needs more time
Key fact: A free home survey is standard practice among reputable bathroom remodelling companies in Dublin. If a company quotes without seeing the bathroom, the quote is a guess — not a commitment.
Step 2: The Fixed Quote
After the survey, you receive a detailed written quote covering:
- All labour (strip-out, plumbing, electrical, tiling, fitting)
- All materials (tiles, sanitaryware, plumbing and electrical supplies)
- Waste removal and disposal
- Project timeline (start date, completion date)
- VAT (13.5% on construction services in Ireland)
Step 3: Selecting Your Tiles and Sanitaryware
You’ll choose your tiles, toilet, basin, shower or bath, taps, and towel rail before the start date. Your bathroom fitter should guide you through this — recommending suppliers, helping with colour and layout decisions, and confirming that your selections fit the space and the budget.
The 7-Day Bathroom Remodel: Day by Day
Day 1 — Strip-Out and Removal
Everything comes out. The old toilet, basin, bath or shower, tiles, plasterboard if damaged — all of it. The room is taken back to bare walls and floor.
What you’ll see: Dust, noise, and a pile of rubble being loaded into a skip. By the end of Day 1, your old bathroom is gone.
What you need to do: Make sure the bathroom is cleared of personal items before the team arrives. Towels, toiletries, laundry baskets — take it all out the night before.
Day 2 — Plumbing and Electrical First-Fix
The plumber routes new hot and cold water pipes and waste connections to match the new layout. The electrician runs cabling for lights, the extractor fan, heated towel rail, and any new sockets.
What you’ll see: Pipes and cables running through the walls and floor. The bathroom won’t look like much yet — and that’s normal.
What you need to do: Nothing. This is a trade day. Just make sure the team has access to the water mains and fuse board.
Day 3 — Wall and Floor Preparation, Tanking
Walls are plastered or boarded to create a flat, stable surface for tiling. Floors are levelled. The shower area (and bath area if applicable) is tanked — meaning it’s sealed with a waterproof membrane to prevent any moisture getting through to the structure behind.
What you’ll see: Grey walls, smooth floors, and a green or blue waterproof coating in the shower area.
Definition: Tanking is the process of applying a waterproof membrane to walls and floors in wet areas before tiling. It prevents water damage to the underlying structure and is essential in every bathroom renovation.
What you need to do: Nothing. Let the tanking cure overnight.
Day 4 — Tiling Begins
The tiler starts on the walls — typically working from the shower area outward. Large format tiles go up first, followed by cut tiles around windows, niches, and corners.
What you’ll see: Your bathroom starting to take shape. This is the day it starts looking like a real room again.
What you need to do: If you haven’t already confirmed tile layout, grout colour, and niche positions — confirm them now. Changes after tiling starts mean delays.
Day 5 — Tiling, Grouting, and Finishing
Wall tiling is completed and floor tiling begins. Once all tiles are placed, the grouting process starts — filling the gaps between tiles and cleaning the surface.
What you’ll see: A fully tiled bathroom. This is usually the day homeowners start to get excited.
What you need to do: Nothing. Let the tiler finish without interruption. Grouting is precise work.
Day 6 — Sanitaryware Fitting
The toilet, basin, bath or shower tray, taps, shower valve, shower screen, mirror, towel rail, and accessories are all fitted. The plumber and fitter work together to connect everything to the pipework installed on Day 2.
What you’ll see: A bathroom that looks finished — but isn’t quite. There’s still sealing and final touches to do.
What you need to do: If you have any last-minute questions about the height of the towel rail or the position of the mirror — ask now, not after it’s siliconed in place.
Day 7 — Final Fix, Sealing, and Handover
All silicone sealing around the bath, shower, basin, and toilet. Final adjustments to taps and valves. Touch-up painting if needed. Full clean of the bathroom. Walkthrough with the homeowner.
What you’ll see: Your new bathroom, finished and ready to use.
What you need to do: Walk through the bathroom with your fitter. Check everything works — flush the toilet, run the shower, test the hot water, check all taps. Report any snags on the spot.
What About Living Without a Bathroom for 7 Days?
This is the question every Dublin homeowner asks. Here’s how people typically manage it:
| Situation | Solution |
| House with a second bathroom or ensuite | Use the other bathroom for the week |
| House with one bathroom only | Use a neighbour’s or family member’s bathroom nearby |
| Elderly or mobility-impaired household | Schedule the work when alternative facilities are available |
| Apartment with one bathroom | Some homeowners stay with family for the week |
Practical tip: The toilet is usually the last thing removed on Day 1 and one of the first things reconnected (temporarily) if the team can manage it. Ask your fitter if a temporary toilet connection is possible during the build.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bathroom remodelling take in Dublin?
A standard bathroom remodel in Dublin takes 7 working days. This covers strip-out, plumbing, electrical, wall prep, tanking, tiling, sanitaryware fitting, and final handover. Complex projects involving wet rooms, structural changes, or large custom tiling can take 10–14 days.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Dublin in 2026?
A full bathroom remodel in Dublin costs between €9,000 and €15,000 for a standard family bathroom in 2026. This includes all labour, materials, tiles, and sanitaryware. Budget refurbishments start around €5,000, and luxury remodels can exceed €18,000.
Do I need planning permission for a bathroom renovation in Dublin?
No. Standard bathroom renovations in Ireland do not require planning permission. They fall under exempted development provided you are not altering the external structure of the building. If you are converting a bedroom into a bathroom or making structural changes (removing load-bearing walls), you may need engineer approval but typically not planning permission.
Can I stay at home during a bathroom remodel?
Yes. Most Dublin homeowners stay at home during the renovation. The work is confined to the bathroom, and the team will keep the workspace clean and contained. The main inconvenience is noise during strip-out (Day 1) and being without the bathroom for 5–7 days.
What is the difference between a bathroom remodel and a renovation?
In Ireland, the terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to a complete strip-out and rebuild of the bathroom. Some people use “remodel” when changing the layout (e.g., swapping a bath for a walk-in shower) and “renovation” for a like-for-like rebuild, but in practice there’s no meaningful difference. A bathroom refurbishment, by contrast, is a cosmetic update only.
Read also: Bathroom Renovation Dublin Near You: Why North Dublin Homeowners Are Choosing Local Fitters
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Conclusion
A bathroom remodel in Dublin doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When it’s managed by a professional team working to a clear 7-day schedule, you know exactly what’s happening, when, and why. No surprises, no vague timelines, no trades who don’t show up.
The key is preparation: get a proper home survey, lock in a fixed quote, choose your tiles and sanitaryware before the start date, and let the team do what they do best.
For a free home survey and a fixed quote on your bathroom remodelling project in Dublin, call Liam at LN Bathroom Renovations on 085 175 6090.
TL;DR
A bathroom remodel in Dublin takes 7 working days: Day 1 strip-out, Day 2 plumbing and electrical, Day 3 wall prep and tanking, Days 4–5 tiling, Day 6 sanitaryware fitting, Day 7 final fix and handover. Costs €9,000–€15,000 for a standard bathroom. Before work starts, you need a home survey, a fixed written quote, and your tiles and sanitaryware selected. No planning permission required for standard renovations. Most homeowners stay at home during the build. Always walk through the finished bathroom with your fitter and check everything works before signing off.
