Bathroom renovation cost in Geneva: how much does it cost in 2026?

Thinking of redoing your bathroom in Geneva or elsewhere in French-speaking Switzerland? The first question is almost always the same: what budget should you plan for? To answer it, this guide brings together the price ranges published in 2026 by Swiss quote platforms and companies, type of work by type of work and item by item. You will also find the procedures to follow in Geneva, the timescales to expect and our tips for keeping the bill under control.

Please note: the amounts below are indicative. They come from different sources and do not replace a personalised quote. Always check whether a price is excluding VAT (excl. VAT) or including VAT (incl. VAT): in Switzerland, renovation work is subject to the standard rate of 8.1%.

2026 prices at a glance

The price depends above all on the scope of the work. Here are the published ranges for a typical-sized bathroom (about 4 to 8 m²):

Other sources give similar orders of magnitude: renovero indicates CHF 10’000 to 30’000 for a complete renovation and CHF 5’000 to 10’000 for minor adaptations ^[5]. Be wary, however, of the “average budgets” displayed by platforms: ofri.ch gives an average budget of around CHF 6’500 across 187 prices analysed, but these jobs often include partial work (a bathtub replacement, wall tiling) rather than complete renovations ^[4].

What makes the price vary

Size and the price-per-m² trap

A small shower room is not proportionally cheaper. The WC, basin, shower and their connections cost almost as much in 4 m² as in 8 m² ^[1]. The result:

• shower room of 3.5 to 4 m²: CHF 14’000 to 21’000 excl. VAT, i.e. CHF 3’800 to 5’300/m²;
• bathroom of 5 to 6 m²: CHF 16’000 to 26’000 excl. VAT, i.e. CHF 3’000 to 4’400/m²;
• bathroom of 8 to 10 m² with double basin: CHF 22’000 to 36’000 excl. VAT, i.e. CHF 2’600 to 3’600/m² ^[1].

Depending on the finish level, lebau.ch uses CHF 2’500 to 3’500/m² (basic), CHF 3’500 to 5’000/m² (mid-range) and CHF 5’000 to 7’500/m² (high-end) ^[4].

The quality level

Natural stone, designer taps, a made-to-measure glass screen or a level-access shower quickly push up the bill ^[5]. A walk-in shower alone costs CHF 2’000 to 5’000 more than a traditional shower, because of the reinforced waterproofing and the drain ^[2].

The condition of the existing room and unforeseen issues

A damaged screed, a cracked cast-iron drain: what is discovered during removal is not in the quote. Plan a contingency of 10 to 15% ^[1]. In buildings constructed before 1990, adhesives, screeds and grout may contain asbestos: Suva requires this to be checked before demolition, and any asbestos removal is priced separately ^[1].

Prices item by item

Tiling and waterproofing

• Laying only: CHF 35 to 80/m² depending on the format and type of installation ^[7]; wall tiling CHF 45 to 75/m² ^[8].
• Large formats: CHF 45 to 65/m² for 60×60, but CHF 70 to 110/m² for 120×60 ^[9].
• Waterproofing: CHF 30 to 45/m² ^[8].
• Supplied and laid: CHF 100 to 250/m², i.e. on average CHF 1’600 to 3’500 to tile a bathroom ^[10].
• Tiles only: from CHF 8/m² for an entry-level concrete look to CHF 195/m² for natural stone ^[7].

Sanitary fittings and taps (supplied and installed)

Typical published prices for French-speaking Switzerland, excluding VAT ^[11]:

Sanitary installation

The complete sanitary package (supply lines, drains, fixtures, taps) accounts for 40 to 50% of the price of a complete renovation, i.e. around CHF 8’000 to 15’000 excl. VAT ^[1]. Redoing the supply lines in multilayer pipes costs CHF 350 to 700 per water point ^[11].

Labour: hourly rates

• Sanitary installer: CHF 95 to 125/h excl. VAT in French-speaking Switzerland ^[11]; in Geneva, more like CHF 120 to 160/h excl. VAT, plus a travel fee of CHF 40 to 80 ^[12].
• Tiler: CHF 80 to 135/h, for a Swiss average of around CHF 100/h ^[13].

Typical budget breakdown

For a standard complete renovation, chiffr.ch observes the following breakdown: sanitary 40–50%, tiling and waterproofing 25–35%, demolition and removal 8–12%, ventilation and technical equipment 6–10%, plastering and painting 3–6% ^[1].

What is specific to Geneva

Higher prices. In Geneva and Lausanne, prices are generally 10 to 20% above the French-speaking Switzerland average ^[3], reflecting tradespeople’s hourly rates.

The LDTR for rental housing. In Geneva, the law on the demolition, conversion and renovation of residential buildings (LDTR) requires authorisation for any renovation that improves existing comfort, even partially; routine maintenance work is excluded ^[14]. It applies in the first four building zones, except for single-dwelling homes. This work goes through a fast-track building permit procedure (APA), with a decision issued in less than 30 days in most apartment renovation cases ^[15]. The rent after the work may then be capped by the State for a set period ^[14]. In practice, it is the owner or their property management agency that submits the application.

In co-ownership (PPE). The bathroom belongs to the co-owner, but the shared risers and downpipes do not: working on them requires the administrator’s agreement ^[1].

Steps to take before the work

If you are a tenant

You may only renovate or alter the home with the landlord’s written consent (art. 260a CO) ^[16]. In most cases, it is in fact the owner, often through their property management agency, who orders and pays for the renovation; a rent increase is possible if the work adds value ^[1]. So contact your property management agency first.

If you are an owner

An interior bathroom renovation generally does not require a building permit. Authorisation may, however, be needed if you work on structural elements or a gas installation, or if you create a window ^[3]. In Geneva, if the home is rented out, check whether the LDTR applies (see above). Creating a second bathroom within an existing space may also require a building permit ^[6].

SIA standards to know

• SIA 271/1 (2025): since May 2025, this standard governs the waterproofing of interior rooms. The floor of the entire bathroom must be waterproofed, with an upstand of at least 5 cm around the edges, and the waterproofing is no longer drilled through afterwards: fixings (grab bars, screen, accessories) are planned before installation ^[17]. Ask for “SIA 271/1” to be stated on the quote.
• SIA 385/1: it sets the requirements for domestic hot water installations, in particular to prevent Legionnaires’ disease ^[3].

How long does the work take?

• Replacing a fixture or a refresh: a few days ^[1].
• Complete renovation: three to five weeks, because five trades follow one another and the screed and waterproofing have to dry before the tiles are laid ^[1].
• In Geneva, housing subject to the LDTR: add the time for the APA authorisation, generally less than 30 days ^[15].

7 tips to save money

1. Keep the water points where they are. Moving the shower, WC or washbasin pushes the budget into the CHF 25’000 to 45’000 bracket ^[3].
2. Consider an extra-flat shower tray if the floor slab height does not allow a true walk-in shower: the result is very similar ^[6].
3. Choose a standard shower screen: CHF 800 to 1’500, compared with CHF 2’000 to 6’000 for made-to-measure ^[1].
4. Opt for common tile formats: laying very large formats costs considerably more per m² ^[9].
5. Compare several quotes on a like-for-like basis: demolition, sanitary, tiling and fixtures, with the total excl. and incl. VAT ^[4].
6. Decide early where the accessories will go, to avoid costly waterproofing repairs ^[17].
7. Find out about the tax rules: an owner can generally deduct maintenance that replaces what exists, but not the part that improves it; the rules vary from canton to canton ^[1].

For your project, see our bathroom and walk-in shower and tiling pages.

FAQ

What budget for a 5 m² bathroom?

For a standard complete renovation of a 5 to 6 m² room, allow around CHF 16’000 to 26’000 excl. VAT in French-speaking Switzerland ^[1]. With high-end finishes, you can easily exceed CHF 30’000.

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub with a shower?

If the rest of the bathroom is kept, allow CHF 7’000 to 12’000 excl. VAT ^[1]. Renovero quotes an average cost of around CHF 10’000 for a walk-in shower ^[5].

Do you need authorisation to renovate your bathroom in Geneva?

Not for simple maintenance. However, in a rental building, a renovation that improves comfort is subject to the LDTR and to fast-track authorisation (APA) ^[14][15]. Structural work may also require authorisation ^[3].

How long does a complete renovation take?

Generally three to five weeks of work ^[1], plus any time needed for authorisation.

Do the advertised prices include VAT?

Not always. On a CHF 20’000 quote, VAT at 8.1% represents more than CHF 1’600: always compare the totals including VAT ^[1].

Get your free quote with Devis24

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Sources

Pages consulted on 16 October 2026.

1. chiffr.ch, “Prix rénovation salle de bain en Suisse : ce que coûte chaque corps de métier en 2026” (in French, updated on 5 October 2026): https://chiffr.ch/prix/renovation-salle-de-bain-suisse
2. Baunex, “Rénovation salle de bain Suisse 2026, coûts et devis” (in French): https://baunex.ch/fr/blog/renovation-salle-de-bain-suisse-cout
3. SOS-Travaux.ch, “Rénovation salle de bain Suisse 2026 : guide complet, budget et normes” (in French): https://www.sos-travaux.ch/conseils/renovation-salle-de-bain-guide/
4. lebau.ch, “Rénover sa salle de bains : le prix poste par poste” (in French, cites ofri.ch data from March 2026): https://www.lebau.ch/fr/salle-de-bains/renover-sa-salle-de-bains-le-prix-poste-par-poste/
5. renovero, “Rénovation de salle de bains” and “Baignoire et douche” (in French): https://www.renovero.ch/fr/interieur/sanitaire/salle-de-bains · https://www.renovero.ch/fr/interieur/sanitaire/baignoire-douche
6. Loova Rénovations, “Rénovation de salle de bain en Suisse romande” (in French): https://loova.ch/renovation-salle-de-bain/
7. idtravaux.ch, “Prix pose de carrelage m² en Suisse” (in French): https://idtravaux.ch/prix-pose-carrelage-m2/
8. ofri.ch, “Poser des dalles et des carreaux : coûts et prix en Suisse” (in French): https://www.ofri.ch/fr/couts/poser-des-dalles-et-des-carreaux
9. mesartisans.ch, “Combien coûte la pose de carrelage au m² en Suisse romande ?” (in French): https://mesartisans.ch/combien-coute-la-pose-de-carrelage-au-m2-en-suisse-romande/
10. ofri.ch, “Carreler une salle de bain : coûts et prix en Suisse” (in French): https://www.ofri.ch/fr/couts/carreler-une-salle-de-bain
11. handwerker-kosten.ch, “Handwerker-Stundensätze Schweiz 2026” (in German): https://www.handwerker-kosten.ch/stundensatz-index/
12. Republic and Canton of Geneva, LDTR (rsGE L 5 20, in French): https://silgeneve.ch/legis/data/rsg_l5_20.htm
13. ge.ch, “Rénovation des logements : amélioration du processus LDTR” (in French): https://www.ge.ch/document/renovation-logements-amelioration-du-processus-ldtr
14. Swiss Code of Obligations, art. 260a (Fedlex, French version): https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/27/317_321_377/fr#art_260_a
15. lebau.ch, “Norme SIA 271/1 : étanchéité de salle de bains” (in French): https://www.lebau.ch/fr/salle-de-bains/sia-271-etancheite-salle-de-bains/