Black, Gold or Chrome? What a Bathroom's Finish Really Costs (2026 Study)

The premium, finish by finish

Each row compares models that Jaquar sells in that finish with the same model in chrome. The last column is the range that 8 in 10 models fall inside.

The same ratios hold on Jaquar's MRP, so the premium is set in the manufacturer's own price list, not by the dealer. Black matt is offered on 49% of the chrome models we list and gold PVD on 14%, so gold is the narrower choice as well as the dearer one.

One bathroom, three finishes

A complete mid-range bathroom in real models, priced in each finish: Opal Prime taps and valves, Medley showers, Jaquar wastes and Continental accessories. The concealed diverter body sits inside the wall, so it costs the same whatever you choose.

The same bathroom costs ₹27,520 in chrome, ₹39,040 in black matt (black chrome is priced identically) and ₹45,430 in gold PVD. The health faucet is left out because Jaquar makes it in chrome and black matt only; add about ₹1,300. Sanitaryware, tiles and labour are not included. For whole-flat budgets see what bathroom fittings cost in Mumbai.

Every product type follows the same rule

The premium barely moves between a basin mixer, a shower arm and a towel rail. A black or gold small part costs proportionally as much extra as a black or gold tap.

A dash means fewer than 8 models of that type come in the finish.

How Kohler compares

Kohler prices its finishes differently. Black adds 40%, close to Jaquar, but French Gold adds only 25%, against 72% for Jaquar's gold PVD. These are fewer models, at our current Kohler selling prices.

What it means if you are renovating

• Spend the finish where it is seen. A black or gold basin mixer, shower and diverter carry the look. Angle valves, wastes and bottle traps under the basin can stay chrome and save 46% or more on every one.
• Concealed bodies cost the same in every finish. Only the trim you see changes colour, so the in-wall part of a concealed diverter or mixer carries no finish premium.
• Match finishes within one brand. "Black" and "gold" differ between brands and even between ranges, so buy every visible piece of one room in the same finish code.

Method

Source: the Jaquar and Kohler fittings listed on padmavaticeramics.com, catalogue of 2 October 2026. Jaquar prices follow Jaquar's 2026 price list. Ratios are computed on our selling prices; for Jaquar they come out the same on MRP. A model is one base product code sold in several finishes (for example OPP-CHR-15011BPM in chrome and OPP-BLM-15011BPM in black matt). Only in-stock models with exactly one chrome version are counted, and each finish needs at least 20 Jaquar models (10 for Kohler) to be listed. Premiums are medians; "most models" is the 10th to 90th percentile. Kitchen sinks, water heaters and sanitaryware are excluded because they are not sold as chrome and coloured versions of one model.

Using these figures

Journalists and writers are welcome to quote this study with a link to this page. Please cite it as: Padmavati Ceramics, Bathroom Finish Price Study 2026, www.padmavaticeramics.com/research/bathroom-finish-price-study-2026. For the model-level data, email padmavaticeramics@gmail.com.