PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 6 News Review New bathroom costs underestimated


New research carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) reveals that there is often a significant gap between expectation and reality when homeowners plan bathroom renovations, leaving consumers vulnerable to cowboy installers off ering lower quotes. The study has found that 71% of homeowners expect their bathroom renovation to come in under £10,000. However, professional builders are warning that skilled labour, quality fittings, plumbing complications and unforeseen structural issues frequently push the fi nal bill far higher. The


data exposes a


widespread misconception that puts homeowners at risk: a quarter (26%) believe a full bathroom renovation can be done for under £5,000, while only 14% expect to pay £10,000-£15,000 and just 3% anticipate costs of £15,000 or more. The research also reveals homeowners are getting the fundamentals wrong. While 38% correctly identify labour as the single most expensive element of a bathroom


Hotspots for van thefts revealed


renovation, many still fixate on the cost of fittings (17%) or plumbing (16%) and a signifi cant proportion admitted they simply don’t know where their money will go. Timeline expectations are


equally divorced from reality, with nearly one in fi ve (19%) expecting a full bathroom renovation to be completed in a week or less, while 39% expect it done within two weeks – schedules that professional builders say are unrealistic for quality work involving strip-outs, drying time, and coordinating multiple trades. Brian Berry, chief executive


of the FMB, says: “Bathroom renovations are


one of


the most common home improvement projects, but our research shows homeowners are walking into them with unrealistic expectations about both costs and timelines. The gap


between what


people think they’ll pay and what they actually need to budget is setting them up for disappointment – or worse, pushing them towards rogue traders offering unrealistic quotes and timelines. “Most homeowners are


budgeting for the bathroom they


imagine, not the


bathroom they’ll actually get. Labour alone can swallow half the budget before a single tile goes up.”


New analysis from temporary van insurance experts Tempcover reveals that Birmingham recorded the highest volume of van thefts in the UK over the past two years, with 1,446 incidents between 2024 and 2025. The data shows signifi cant variation by postcode area, with thefts heavily concentrated in specifi c regions, with urban and densely populated areas unsurprisingly bearing the highest burden. Sheffi eld (695), Guildford (577) and Bristol (also 577) are the next areas which appear to be targeted by thieves. Across the UK, a van was still stolen every


52 minutes in 2025, despite a 16% year-on- year decline in overall incidents. The latest DVLA data, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, shows thefts fell from one every 44 minutes in 2024 to every 52 minutes in 2025. High-demand commercial vehicles remain a consistent target for organised and


opportunistic theft. Ford vans continue to dominate theft statistics, while white vehicles remain disproportionately targeted. Ford accounted for the highest volume of thefts during the two-year period, with over


11,700 incidents recorded. This represents 53% of all van thefts, nearly four times the total of Mercedes-Benz (2,935). However, this dominance likely refl ects


Ford’s strong market presence. With 31,936 new registrations in 2025 (38% market share), Ford vans are more widely exposed on UK roads.


Research demonstrates savings from TRV use with heat pumps


A new Technical Bulletin has been issued by BEAMA which highlights the energy savings that can be achieved when using thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) within air source heat pump systems. It provides a summary of


tests undertaken at the Salford Energy House which confi rms that TRVs can reduce ASHP space heating energy consumption by 6-8% without reducing appliance and system efficiency and can reduce the air temperature of adjoining zones. TRVs have the potential to provide greater internal temperature control to occupants and reduce ASHP space heating energy use. The Association says that it is important


for a volumiser and automatic bypass to be installed alongside the ASHP to ensure the adequate volume in the system is achieved. TRVs should be used as a secondary measure to reduce internal temperatures.


New interactive learning platform launched by MCS


A new interactive learning platform for installers has been launched by MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like solar panels and heat pumps. It has been created for anyone who is considering certification, whether they are an experienced installer looking to make the switch to renewables, or just starting out in their career. The site will provide answers to a series of


questions, including what MCS does, how it works with industry, how certifi cation can help installation businesses to grow, and the practical steps to becoming certified. It represents the latest in a series of investments for installers joining the redeveloped installer scheme, and has been developed in partnership with a learning and development consultant.


Commenting on the


publication, BEAMA’s Director of External Aff airs, Kelly Butler says: “Our latest research with Salford is clearly an important step forward towards establishing the potential for zone control with heat pumps. We started this journey with last year’s guide (‘Controls Guide for Air-Water Heat Pump Systems’) to demonstrate how to interpret building


regulations, but these research fi ndings now mean that installers can confi dently specify TRVs with heat pumps, providing their customers with the zone control benefi ts they have been conditioned to expect with traditional gas boilers. It’s another step towards normalising heat pump systems in the eyes of customers whilst maximising energy efficiency benefi ts and improving comfort.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/03


Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, comments: “More installers than ever before are seeing the value in MCS certifi cation, as the demand for quality, competent installers continues to grow and more UK households turn to home- grown energy. We remain committed to raising standards across the sector, and ensuring that installers know what to expect from their certifi cation is crucial to that. That’s why we’re delighted that our new digital learning tool is now live.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/04


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