Bathroom Products Overview

The bathroom market in the UK is split between a handful of big mainstream suppliers (Victoria Plum, Bathroom Mountain, Soak.com, B&Q, Wickes), specialist retailers (CP Hart, Drench, Sanctuary Bathrooms) and trade-only suppliers (PJH, Robert Lee, City Plumbing). Knowing which to choose for which products saves both money and hassle when you come to fit them.

A typical UK bathroom refurbishment spends £3,500–£12,000 on products alone (suite, taps, shower, tiles, accessories, lighting), depending on whether you're going mid-range high-street or specifying named-brand premium fittings. Add labour at £3,000–£8,000 for fitting on top.

The five product categories that matter most

• Bathroom suite — toilet, basin, bath. Mid-range complete suites £400–£1,200; premium brands (Roca, Duravit, Villeroy & Boch) £1,200–£3,500+.
• Shower enclosure and tray — frameless 8–10 mm glass £400–£900; framed budget options £150–£350. Trays £80–£300 depending on size and material.
• Taps and shower fittings — Bristan, Mira, Aqualisa for mainstream reliability; Hansgrohe and Grohe for premium. Budget £80–£200 per item; premium £250–£600.
• Tiles — porcelain or ceramic, £20–£80/m² for high-street, £80–£200/m² for designer brands. A typical bathroom takes 12–25 m² of wall and floor tile.
• Lighting and ventilation — IP44 or IP65-rated fittings only in zone 1/2, with a 4-inch silent extractor over the shower. Often forgotten until the electrician asks for the spec.

Trade vs retail — when to use which

Trade-only suppliers (PJH, City Plumbing, Plumbase, Travis Perkins Bathrooms) are typically 15–30% cheaper than equivalent retail listings, but you need a trade account or a fitter to order on your behalf. Worth asking your fitter to source the suite, shower and taps via trade — they'll usually pass on the discount minus a small handling margin.

Retail is better for finishing items (mirrors, accessories, lighting) where range is wider and the trade price isn't much different. And it's often the only route for designer brands.

Things people often miss

• Lead times — designer suites can be 4–8 weeks from order to delivery. Don't strip out the old bathroom until everything is in your garage.
• Warranty differences — premium brands offer 10–25 year warranties on ceramics and 5–10 years on brassware. Budget brands often only 1–2 years.
• Spare parts — Bristan, Mira and Hansgrohe stock spare cartridges and seals decades after a product's launch. Some no-name imports become unservicable within 3–5 years.
• Bath dimensions — UK standard is 1700×700 mm. Anything bigger (1800 mm or wider) may not fit through the bathroom door without removing the door frame. Measure the access route first.
• Heated towel rail BTU rating — ladder-style towel rails put out half the BTUs of a flat-panel radiator of similar size. If the bathroom is the only heat source in the room, you may need a dual-fuel rail with an electric element for summer.

Frequently asked questions

Where do most professional bathroom fitters source products?

Trade merchants — primarily PJH, Robert Lee, City Plumbing, Plumbase and Travis Perkins Bathrooms — for the suite, shower and taps. For tiles, a mix of Topps Tiles, Tile Mountain and local tile specialists. For accessories and finishing items, retail is fine.

Is it worth paying for a premium-brand suite?

For ceramics (toilet bowl, basin, bath) — usually yes, the build quality, glaze and 25-year warranty justify the £400–£1,000 premium. For taps and showers, premium brands (Hansgrohe, Grohe) are noticeably better than budget but mid-range brands (Bristan, Mira) are perfectly serviceable for most homes.

Can I supply my own products and just pay for fitting?

Most fitters allow this, but expect them to charge slightly more for labour to compensate for the lost trade margin, and to disclaim any warranty on products they didn't supply. Make sure everything arrives before they start — fitters charge for return visits if items are missing.

What's the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles?

Porcelain is denser, harder, and lower-porosity than ceramic — better for floors, wet areas and high-traffic. Ceramic is fine for walls and is easier to cut. Porcelain costs ~30% more but lasts longer in a wet bathroom environment.

Do I need an Approved Document G compliant shower?

Building Regulations require shower enclosures to provide a watertight seal in the wet area. All branded UK shower products meet this; cheap imports may not, particularly on tray and door seals. Stick with named brands and your fitter will sign off the install.

How long does it take to receive products after ordering?

Mainstream suites and showers from high-street retailers: 1–3 weeks. Designer or imported items: 4–8 weeks. Tiles often have a separate lead time (1–4 weeks) and can be quantity-limited. Plan all delivery dates with your fitter before stripping out.

Want a local pro to handle this? A bathroom fitter or designer can spec the right products for your space, source them at trade prices, and coordinate delivery so nothing arrives mid-fit. Often the difference between an on-time refurb and one that drags on for weeks.