In what order should a bathroom or kitchen refit happen?

Broadly: strip-out, first-fix plumbing and electrics, plastering/boarding, waterproofing in wet areas, tiling, flooring, then second-fix plumbing, electrics and joinery, finishing with sealant and snagging. The exact order can vary depending on the layout and whether flooring goes down before or after units, so ask your fitter to confirm their sequence for your specific job.

Do I need to buy the tiles, suite and units myself?

It varies by fitter — some quote supply-and-fit, others labour-only. Either can work well, but agree it explicitly and get quantities (including a wastage allowance for tiles) confirmed before ordering, so you do not run short mid-job.

Does a shower or wet room need waterproofing before tiling?

Waterproofing (tanking) in shower enclosures and around baths is standard good practice, particularly over timber floors or stud walls, to prevent water reaching the structure through tile joints or minor cracks over time. Ask your tiler or fitter what waterproofing system they use and whether it is included in the quote.

Who needs to do the electrical and gas work?

Any new circuits, consumer unit changes or notifiable electrical work should be carried out or signed off by someone competent under Part P of the Building Regulations, and any gas work — moving a hob, boiler or gas pipework — must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Ask for certification once the work is complete.

What should I include when posting the job?

The size of the room, roughly what you want done (refit, re-tile, single replacement), whether you have already chosen or bought fittings, and whether you want one contractor to manage everything or separate trades. Photos of the current layout help a great deal.

Bathroom & Kitchen Fitters in the West Midlands

A bathroom or kitchen refit in Birmingham typically brings together several trades on the same job — plumbing, electrics, tiling, plastering and joinery — and the order they happen in matters as much as the quality of each one. In the city's older housing stock, from Victorian terraces in Kings Heath to inter-war semis in Sutton Coldfield, refits often also involve moving pipework or waste runs that were never designed for a modern layout, which can affect both sequencing and cost.

Whether you are having a full bathroom refit, a new kitchen fitted around existing units, or a smaller job like re-tiling or replacing a suite, it helps to be clear about the order of works and who is responsible for buying what before anyone starts. Post the details on FixAll-er — including whether you are looking for one contractor to manage the whole job or separate trades — and you will hear from local professionals interested in quoting.

Post a job — get free quotes

Typical bathroom & kitchen jobs

Full bathroom refits, including suite replacement and re-tiling
Full kitchen fits, including units, worktops and appliances
Wet rooms and level-access shower installations
Re-tiling only, over existing or new plasterboard/tile backer
Moving or extending plumbing and waste pipework for a new layout
First and second fix electrics for new sockets, lighting and extractor fans
Fitting kitchen units, worktops and integrated appliances
Waterproofing (tanking) showers and wet areas before tiling
Replacing a single item, such as a bath, shower or kitchen sink
Coordinating multiple trades on a single project as a main contractor

What to think about before you book

Sequencing across trades

A typical order is: first-fix plumbing and electrics (pipework and cabling in walls/floors before they are closed up), plastering or boarding, waterproofing in wet areas, tiling, then second-fix plumbing and electrics (taps, sockets, fittings) and finally joinery such as skirting, doors or fitted units. Getting this sequence wrong — for example tiling before waterproofing is fully cured, or fitting units before final flooring — is a common source of delay and rework.

Waterproofing before tiling

In shower areas and around baths, a waterproof membrane or tanking system is normally applied to the boards before tiling, particularly on timber floors or stud walls where water penetration can cause hidden damage. Ask whether this is included in a quote, since it is sometimes treated as a separate line item and occasionally left out to reduce price.

Who supplies what

Sanitaryware, taps, tiles, kitchen units, worktops and appliances are a significant part of the total cost and are commonly bought by the homeowner to control choice and budget, while the fitter supplies fixings, adhesives, sealants and consumables. Confirm this split clearly before ordering anything, and check lead times on items like bespoke worktops or made-to-order units, since these can hold up a schedule if ordered late.

Electrical and gas work in bathrooms

Bathrooms have specific electrical safety zones around water sources, and any new circuits or consumer unit work should be carried out or checked by someone competent to do so, with certification provided. Gas work — such as moving a boiler or a gas hob — must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Ask to see relevant certification for any notifiable electrical or gas work.

One contractor or several trades

Some refits are managed by a single fitter or small firm covering plumbing, tiling and basic electrics, bringing in a qualified electrician or Gas Safe engineer for specific tasks. Others are coordinated directly by the homeowner, booking each trade separately. Managing several trades yourself can save money but puts the sequencing and scheduling responsibility on you — be clear which approach you want when you post the job.

Popular bathroom & kitchen fitters locations

Bathroom & Kitchen: common questions

In what order should a bathroom or kitchen refit happen?: Broadly: strip-out, first-fix plumbing and electrics, plastering/boarding, waterproofing in wet areas, tiling, flooring, then second-fix plumbing, electrics and joinery, finishing with sealant and snagging. The exact order can vary depending on the layout and whether flooring goes down before or after units, so ask your fitter to confirm their sequence for your specific job.
Do I need to buy the tiles, suite and units myself?: It varies by fitter — some quote supply-and-fit, others labour-only. Either can work well, but agree it explicitly and get quantities (including a wastage allowance for tiles) confirmed before ordering, so you do not run short mid-job.
Does a shower or wet room need waterproofing before tiling?: Waterproofing (tanking) in shower enclosures and around baths is standard good practice, particularly over timber floors or stud walls, to prevent water reaching the structure through tile joints or minor cracks over time. Ask your tiler or fitter what waterproofing system they use and whether it is included in the quote.
Who needs to do the electrical and gas work?: Any new circuits, consumer unit changes or notifiable electrical work should be carried out or signed off by someone competent under Part P of the Building Regulations, and any gas work — moving a hob, boiler or gas pipework — must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Ask for certification once the work is complete.
What should I include when posting the job?: The size of the room, roughly what you want done (refit, re-tile, single replacement), whether you have already chosen or bought fittings, and whether you want one contractor to manage everything or separate trades. Photos of the current layout help a great deal.

Related services

Bathroom & Kitchen Fitters by town & city

Ready to get quotes?

Posting a bathroom & kitchen job is free and there is no obligation to accept any quote you receive.

Post a job