Bathroom renovation on the Costa del Sol: complete guide for property owners
Everything you need to plan a bathroom renovation in Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Estepona or Mijas — costs, materials, bath-to-shower conversions and remote management for non-resident owners.
All cost ranges are indicative. Each bathroom renovation requires a site assessment to confirm scope, existing plumbing condition, access, materials and final budget.
✓ Quick answer
A full bathroom renovation on the Costa del Sol costs from approximately €9,500 for a standard refurbishment to €25,000+ for premium. Most complete renovations fall between €12,000 and €18,000. Bath-to-shower conversions are the most common request. Remote management is available for non-resident owners.
What a full bathroom renovation covers
A properly executed bathroom renovation is far more than replacing tiles. The waterproofing, plumbing execution and correct drainage gradients are what determine how long the result lasts — especially in coastal properties where moisture exposure is higher than average.
Replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower
The most common bathroom request we receive across the Costa del Sol is replacing an old bathtub with a flush-to-floor walk-in shower. The reasons are consistent: easier access, better use of space, more modern look and significantly less maintenance — all important for second homes and holiday rentals.
For holiday rental properties, the walk-in shower is particularly practical: no bath seal to replace, no bath panel to clean around, and a much faster turnaround between guests. A frameless screen without a lower track eliminates the main point where limescale and mould accumulate.
Whether a flush-to-floor shower tray is feasible depends on the available depth beneath the existing floor slab — something we always confirm during the site visit. Correct drainage fall and a fully sealed perimeter are the technical details that determine how long it lasts.
Recommended materials for bathrooms on the Costa del Sol
Large-format porcelain tiles
Fewer grout lines means easier cleaning and a more contemporary look. Highly recommended for coastal properties due to very low water absorption. Large formats also visually enlarge smaller bathrooms.
Resin shower trays
Non-slip, available in custom sizes and lengths, good aesthetics and easy maintenance. For flush-to-floor installation, models with a linear or central waste without a visible frame are best for rental properties.
Frameless tempered glass screens
Durable, easy to clean and stylish. Screens without a lower track eliminate the main point where limescale and grime accumulate — particularly valuable for holiday rentals with high turnover.
Concealed or single-lever taps
Concealed thermostatic taps are the premium choice: no external parts to wear, clean design and longer life. For bathrooms with intensive use, a quality single-lever wall-mounted tap is a solid and reliable alternative.
Wall-hung vanity units
Creates a sense of space, simplifies floor cleaning and looks contemporary. For second homes and rentals, soft-close drawer units are more durable under frequent use than hinged-door alternatives.
Warm LED lighting
Recessed ceiling lighting at 2700–3000K creates a premium ambience. An illuminated mirror with integrated LED improves both the practical experience and the visual presentation — important for rental photography.
Waterproofing: the work you don't see determines how long it lasts
In any bathroom renovation, the work beneath the tiles is what matters most. Correct waterproofing prevents leaks into neighbouring properties, structural moisture damage and expensive remedial work down the line. Before any tiling begins, we inspect the substrate, confirm drainage falls, and treat all wet-area junctions and corners.
The critical points are the shower perimeter, floor-to-wall junctions, internal corners and the area around the waste outlet. Any small defect in these zones — however minor it appears — can lead to serious problems within months or years.
For properties in Benalmádena Costa, Fuengirola seafront or Marbella's first-line areas, ambient humidity is higher than inland locations. We adapt our waterproofing specification and materials to the specific exposure conditions of each property.
Bathroom renovation managed remotely for non-resident owners
A large proportion of the bathroom renovations we carry out on the Costa del Sol are for owners who live in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia or elsewhere in Europe. The logistics of coordinating a renovation without being present require a specific approach — and one we have significant experience with.
We coordinate property access with a local keyholder or community administrator, agree all materials and tile selections digitally with photographic options, and provide regular photo and video updates throughout the project. You maintain full visibility without needing to be on site.
For second homes, we also consider the specific requirements of a property that sits unoccupied for extended periods: materials that handle temperature changes well, grout joints that resist humidity build-up and fittings that don't deteriorate when the water supply is off for months at a time.
Bathrooms for holiday rental apartments on the Costa del Sol
Holiday rental properties on the Costa del Sol have specific requirements: heavy use by different guests throughout the season, frequent cleaning access and the need to photograph well on Airbnb, Booking.com and similar platforms.
A well-executed renovation can improve both the visual presentation of the listing and the practical guest experience. The material selection should prioritise ease of cleaning: a waste without a visible frame, a screen without a lower track, and vanity units without hinged doors that wear quickly under repeated use.
Turnaround time also matters. During peak season the window between guests can be very short. A bathroom without special-maintenance fittings reduces the operational burden on the owner or property manager.
Bathroom renovation costs on the Costa del Sol
Note: All figures are indicative and in euros (€). The actual cost depends on the bathroom size, existing plumbing condition, materials chosen, access and final scope. A site visit is always required before any fixed quote is given.
| Type of work | Indicative range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bath-to-shower conversion | On request | Depends on floor depth, plumbing changes, shower tray, screen and extent of retiling required. |
| Full bathroom renovation — standard | from approx. €9,500 | Strip-out, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, sanitaryware and fittings. Mid-range materials. |
| Full bathroom renovation — mid-to-high | approx. €12,000 – €18,000 | Large-format porcelain, wall-hung vanity, quality screen, improved lighting and fittings. |
| Premium bathroom renovation | €18,000 – €25,000+ | Larger bathrooms, natural stone, double vanity, concealed thermostatic taps, bespoke elements. |
Bathroom renovations by area on the Costa del Sol
Marbella
Premium bathrooms in villas, penthouses and second homes. High-end finishes, natural stone and bespoke fittings for luxury properties.
Fuengirola
Second-home apartments, holiday rentals and older properties from the 1970s–90s requiring full modernisation. Bath-to-shower conversions.
Torremolinos
Bathroom updates in older apartments: full replumb, new waterproofing, walk-in showers and contemporary finishes.
Benalmádena
Coastal apartments in Benalmádena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel and Pueblo. Humidity-resistant materials and robust fittings for year-round use.
Estepona
Mid-to-high-end second homes and apartments. Clean contemporary bathrooms with quality fittings suited to the Estepona lifestyle.
Mijas
Apartments and villas in Mijas Costa and La Cala. Second-home and holiday rental bathrooms with easy-clean finishes.
Bathroom renovation examples by area
The following projects are representative cases based on typical bathroom renovations we carry out. They are not documentation of specific client projects.
Marbella
Bathroom renovation in Marbella
Fuengirola
Bathroom renovation in Fuengirola
Torremolinos
Bathroom renovation in Torremolinos
Benalmádena
Bathroom renovation in Benalmádena
Estepona
Bathroom renovation in Estepona
Mijas
Bathroom renovation in Mijas
How we manage each bathroom renovation
Frequently asked questions about bathroom renovation on the Costa del Sol
How much does a bathroom renovation cost on the Costa del Sol?
A full bathroom renovation typically starts from around €9,500, depending on the size, condition of existing installations, materials and final scope. Mid-to-high-end bathrooms usually fall between €12,000 and €18,000. Premium bathrooms with natural stone, freestanding baths or bespoke fittings can exceed €20,000. All figures are indicative — a site visit is required for an accurate quote.
How long does a full bathroom renovation take?
A complete bathroom renovation typically takes 3 to 5 weeks as a general guide, depending on the existing plumbing condition, material lead times and the complexity of the finishes. We agree a realistic timeline before starting and provide regular updates throughout.
Can you manage the renovation if I'm not in Spain?
Yes. We manage the entire bathroom renovation remotely for non-resident owners. We coordinate access, supervise the work daily, select materials with you digitally and send regular photo and video updates. Many of our bathroom clients are based in the UK, Ireland or northern Europe.
Can I replace the bathtub with a walk-in shower?
Yes, this is our most common bathroom request on the Costa del Sol. We assess the available floor depth to confirm whether a flush-to-floor shower tray is feasible, then handle all plumbing, tiling, waterproofing and finishing under one team.
What materials do you recommend for a second home bathroom?
For second homes and holiday rentals, we recommend large-format porcelain tiles (fewer grout lines, easier maintenance), resin shower trays with frameless waste covers, frameless glass screens without lower tracks that collect limescale, and wall-hung vanity units with soft-close drawers. The goal is minimal maintenance between visits.
Do you work in Marbella, Fuengirola and Benalmádena?
Yes. We cover the entire Costa del Sol: Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Mijas, Málaga and surrounding areas. We have experience in private urbanisations, gated communities and coastal apartment complexes.
Do you provide a written quote and guarantee?
Yes. Every project starts with a detailed written quote covering scope, materials, timeline and workmanship guarantee. Nothing begins until the quote is agreed in writing. All our bathroom renovations include a written guarantee.
Can you give me a quote without visiting the property?
We can provide an initial indicative range based on photos and a video walkthrough. For a fully accurate quote, a site visit is necessary — we can coordinate access with a local keyholder if you're not able to be present.
What's the difference between a standard and a premium bathroom renovation?
The main differences are materials, fixtures and level of customisation. A premium bathroom typically includes larger-format stone or porcelain tiles, concealed thermostatic taps, a double vanity, frameless glass screens, bespoke lighting and mirror units. A standard renovation delivers a clean, functional result with quality mid-range products.
Do prices include VAT?
All our quotes are provided with full transparency on tax. Spanish IVA (VAT) applies at the standard rate. Your quote will clearly break down labour, materials and applicable taxes before any work begins.
Planning a bathroom renovation on the Costa del Sol?
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