Renovating your bathroom in Dilbeek: prices, permits and what to watch
CULA is based in Dilbeek: it's the municipality where we work most often. Its houses share features that show up in almost every bathroom renovation. Here's what you need to know, with realistic budgets.
Dilbeek houses and their bathrooms
Many houses in Dilbeek, Itterbeek, Groot-Bijgaarden or Schepdaal date from the 1960s to the 1980s: semi-detached houses, detached villas, bungalows. In these houses we often find:
- a fairly large upstairs bathroom (6 to 9 m²) with a bath and a single washbasin;
- original pipes in galvanised steel, sometimes lead, and cast-iron drains;
- little or no ventilation beyond a window, hence blackened joints and stained ceilings;
- a fuse board that needs upgrading for a modern bathroom (heating, sockets, lighting).
That's why a "complete" renovation in Dilbeek almost always includes replacing the pipes and proper ventilation, not just tiles and fixtures.
How much does it cost?
Indicative amounts, including 6% VAT for a home over 10 years old:
| Project |
Indicative budget |
| Replacing the fixtures (without touching the walls) |
€4,000 – €8,000 |
| Bath replaced by a walk-in shower |
€4,500 – €7,000 |
| Complete renovation, 5 m² (pipes, waterproofing, tiles, fixtures) |
€12,000 – €16,000 |
| Complete renovation, 8 m² |
€17,500 – €24,000 |
| High-end master suite |
from €28,000 |
Permits and grants: the Flemish rules
Dilbeek is in Flanders, so Flemish rules apply.
- Planning permit (omgevingsvergunning): redoing a bathroom inside without touching the structure or façade is usually exempt. A new window, an extension or a modified load-bearing wall is not.
- Grants: there is no grant for the bathroom itself. Mijn VerbouwPremie exists for some energy works (insulation, heat pump, heat pump water heater), but since 1 March 2026 higher incomes no longer qualify, except for heat pumps.
- Recent purchase? If you bought a home with an EPC label E or F, you must renovate it to label D within 6 years. Use the bathroom project to also tackle insulation or heating.
- 6% VAT: applies as everywhere in Belgium for a home over 10 years old, if the contractor invoices the work.
How long does it take?
Count 12 to 18 working days on site for a complete renovation, plus 2 to 4 weeks' delivery for tiles and fixtures, which we order as soon as the quote is signed. Plan somewhere to shower if it's the only bathroom in the house.
Our tips for a Dilbeek house
- Replace the pipes while the walls are open: the best and cheapest moment.
- Fit proper extraction, ideally venting through the roof or façade.
- Think ahead: a level-access shower and discreet grab rails keep the bathroom usable for longer.
- Keep the drains where they are if the layout allows, to limit the budget.
Your bathroom in Dilbeek
Based in Kaudenaarde, we work in Dilbeek and all its villages, and can come round quickly for a visit. Free detailed quote within 48 hours: request your quote. To compare with Brussels, see also our article on prices in Uccle.