While fitting your own bathroom is by no means an easy task, many elements of the installation can be completed on a DIY basis with some fairly entry-level skills. 

There are several benefits that come with this: cost savings, time savings, and personal satisfaction.

Obviously, there are significant savings to be made by taking on chunks of the work yourself. Other perks, like being able to work to your own timeline rather than that of a busy tradesperson, or having full control over finishes and materials, will also appeal to many. 

Along with that, like any DIY project, there’s a major sense of satisfaction that comes with tackling and completing each stage of the project yourself. 

If fitting your own bathroom, or at least some part of it, is something that you’re considering, it’s vitally important that you also understand what kind of jobs you can safely take on yourself, and when you’re best leaving things to a professional. For example, anything involving electric or gas supplies should always be left to a qualified tradesperson. 

What skills are needed to fit a bathroom?

It might sound obvious, but most aspects of any bathroom installation are highly physical and best suited to those who are comfortable with hands-on work. 

High attention to detail and a strong sense of patience will both be invaluable throughout, and problem-solving skills will almost certainly be needed on more than one occasion. 

What plumbing skills are involved with installing a bathroom?

Generally speaking, there are often three things that form the core of a new bathroom: the bath/shower, sink and toilet.

Preparing the area and installing these fixtures requires a combination of plumbing skills, both in the removal of existing fixtures and the installation of new ones. 

This includes the disconnection of supply and waste pipes, the installation and/or connection of new ones, and the secure sealing and fastening of fixtures such as taps, showerheads and cisterns. 

Understanding how to pressure test, bend, and join copper pipes will also be essential in most bathroom installations, and soldering skills will come in extremely useful for this process.  

Beyond plumbing, more general bathroom skills, such as plastering and knowing how to cut and fit tiles, will be integral to finishing the room to a high standard. 

If you are sticking to the same layout, plumbing these fixtures in is considerably easier. If you do plan on moving things around, there’s no reason why you can’t still tackle the job yourself; it will just require more advanced reconfiguration of pipework. For highly complex jobs, it’s always best to seek a professional opinion.

What tools will I need to complete a bathroom installation?

While some installations may require more specialist items, below is a list of the common tools and equipment you’ll likely need when fitting a bathroom yourself. 

  • Tape measure
  • Spirit level
  • Utility knife
  • Cordless drill
  • Adjustable wrench & pliers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Buckets
  • Tile adhesive
  • Grout
  • Tile scribe
  • Stud detector
  • Replacement pipes
  • Soldering kit

If DIY bathroom installation is something that’s on your cards, then an introductory plumbing course is worth considering. Learning these core plumbing skills while under the supervision of an experienced professional can equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed for basic bathroom installation tasks, making these kinds of training packages a highly effective long-term investment for any keen DIYer. 

You can find out more about our City & Guilds approved Introduction to Plumbing Course, which can be completed in just five days, here.