Fit bathroom fixtures
Save £150–400 — the fitting phase you can do yourself
Once the tiling is done, the bathroom starts to look like a bathroom. This is the fitting phase — getting the basin, accessories, and rails up so the room becomes functional.
This is Phase 5 of a full bathroom renovation. Tiling should be complete before you start.
Last updated: June 2025
Only basic tools needed — most homes already have them.
Before you start
Tiling must be complete and the adhesive and grout fully cured before you start drilling into tiled walls. Drilling into fresh grout risks cracking tiles or dislodging them.
This guide covers accessible fitting only — mounting a basin, connecting flexible tap tails to isolation valves, and fitting bathroom accessories. It does not cover fitting a new bath, running new pipework, or installing an electric shower. Those need a qualified plumber or electrician.
Ensure the water supply to the bathroom is still isolated from when you completed the plumbing prep phase. Open the isolation valve slowly when you are ready to test connections.
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Tools & materials
- ✓Power drill— with masonry bit for drilling through tiles
- ✓Drill bits (masonry + wood)— masonry for tile and brick, standard HSS for stud walls
- ✓Spirit level— essential — check every fixture before drilling
- ✓Adjustable spanner— for tap connectors and waste fittings
- ✓Flat-head screwdriver— for slotted fixings and isolation valves
- ✓Cross-head screwdriver— for bracket and accessory fixings
- ✓PTFE tape— wrap threaded water connections to prevent leaks
- !Rawl plugs and screws— match plug size to drill bit — use the correct type for your wall
- !Sanitary silicone sealant— white or clear — for sealing fixture edges against tiles
Want everything in one go?
Prices shown on retailer sites. Always check current pricing before purchasing.
Mark fixing points accurately
Hold the bracket or fixture against the wall and use a pencil to mark the fixing hole positions. Then hold your spirit level across the marks and check they are level before committing to anything. For wall-hung items like towel rails, also check the wall is plumb — a rail that looks level in isolation but follows a slightly out-of-plumb wall will look wrong once you step back. Double-check spacing with a tape measure against the manufacturer's fixing template if one is provided. Why: a fixture drilled 3mm out of level is permanently crooked. Marks cost nothing to adjust; drilled holes do not. Spend an extra two minutes here and you will not need to fill anything.
Most people get this done in under 5 minutes.
Quick guides for this phase
How to drill into tiles without cracking them — the right bit, no hammer action →Where beginners go wrong
Drilling without checking level. The most common result of skipping the spirit level is a towel rail that is visually crooked. The eye is surprisingly good at detecting a 2° slope — mark, check, then drill.
Overtightening into ceramic or plastic. Screws through ceramic brackets and threaded plastic fittings do not need to be driven hard. Firm and snug is correct — the fitting will crack or the thread will strip under excess torque. If it feels tight and there is no wobble, stop.
Drilling without a cable or pipe detector. Bathroom walls often have pipes and cables running vertically from fittings above and below. Run a detector over the area before every drilling position, not just the first one.
Stop and call a professional if...
Any water connection leaks after opening isolation valves — do not leave it and monitor it, isolate the water immediately and get a plumber to inspect
The wall feels hollow or soft when you drill — this can indicate damp, failing render, or a cavity that will not hold fixings safely
You need to run new pipework, fit a new bath, or install an electric shower — these are notifiable works that need qualified tradespeople
Cost breakdown
Recommended starter kit
Five tools that cover most home repairs.
- →Adjustable spannerAmazon·Screwfix
- →Screwdriver setAmazon·Screwfix
- →PTFE tapeAmazon·Screwfix
- →Spirit levelAmazon·Screwfix
- →Tape measureAmazon·Screwfix
Want everything in one go? Get it on Amazon
What you just learned
You can now fix into tiled surfaces without cracking them, apply fixings that will hold under load, make basic plumbing connections properly, and seal fixtures against tile surfaces to prevent damp. These are the finishing skills that take a tiled room and make it a working bathroom.
This unlocks:
Continue your renovation
Most people pay a tradesperson for fitting. You just did it yourself.
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
Fitting a replacement basin or accessories in a rented property requires your landlord's written permission. Connecting to existing pipework (flexible tails to isolation valves) is generally low risk, but always get written agreement before any permanent fixture changes. Keep a record of original fittings so they can be reinstated.