Help me spec a bathroom
Discussion
Just moved into a new house, and looking to get the ensuite updated asap. It’s very dated with a carpet floor, has a rectangular shower enclosure (1200x700), toilet, washbasin, normal radiator. It’s about 2.5m x 2.5m square shaped, and happy with the existing layout but there is space to make the shower slightly bigger.
I have 2 local firms coming round later in the week to quote on supply and fitting, and want to be clear on spec with them. Having never had a bathroom done before, it would be good to have some guidance from people who have been through this. I don’t have an unlimited budget so it doesn’t need to be too fancy, but would like some quality feeling fittings.
In my mind I want the following:-
Low profile shower tray – stone resin or acrylic?
Frameless rectangular shower enclosure with sliding door – is 8mm glass the minimum recommended spec? any makes to look out for or avoid? Simpons ok?
Mixer shower with separate rain shower year and hand held head – suggestions on brands?
Built in storage in the shower wall for shampoo etc.
New toilet with built in cistern – is wall hung really an advantage?
Good mid-range quality washbasin – looked at some Duravit ones and seemed good
Good quality mixer tap – Grohe or Hansgrohe
Mirrored cabinet with lighting – happy to fit this myself as seen an Ikea one we like, but they would need to wire for it.
Separate shaver socket
Decent extraction – effective and quiet on a timer. Inline the way to go?
All walls and window surround tiled – do people remove the skirting board now?
Either tiled or Kardean style flooring – undecided, but if tiled I think would need electric underfloor heating as well.
Replace radiator with heated towel rail – stainless steel with electric element for summer use
Replace single light fitting with 4 LED spotlights
What else am I missing or should I specify before they quote? For example, should I state waterproof plasterboard, or is that a given?
Another recommendations would be appreciated.
I have 2 local firms coming round later in the week to quote on supply and fitting, and want to be clear on spec with them. Having never had a bathroom done before, it would be good to have some guidance from people who have been through this. I don’t have an unlimited budget so it doesn’t need to be too fancy, but would like some quality feeling fittings.
In my mind I want the following:-
Low profile shower tray – stone resin or acrylic?
Frameless rectangular shower enclosure with sliding door – is 8mm glass the minimum recommended spec? any makes to look out for or avoid? Simpons ok?
Mixer shower with separate rain shower year and hand held head – suggestions on brands?
Built in storage in the shower wall for shampoo etc.
New toilet with built in cistern – is wall hung really an advantage?
Good mid-range quality washbasin – looked at some Duravit ones and seemed good
Good quality mixer tap – Grohe or Hansgrohe
Mirrored cabinet with lighting – happy to fit this myself as seen an Ikea one we like, but they would need to wire for it.
Separate shaver socket
Decent extraction – effective and quiet on a timer. Inline the way to go?
All walls and window surround tiled – do people remove the skirting board now?
Either tiled or Kardean style flooring – undecided, but if tiled I think would need electric underfloor heating as well.
Replace radiator with heated towel rail – stainless steel with electric element for summer use
Replace single light fitting with 4 LED spotlights
What else am I missing or should I specify before they quote? For example, should I state waterproof plasterboard, or is that a given?
Another recommendations would be appreciated.
It will really be as long as a piece of string. Much of it is down to personnel choice. Vast majority of parts out there are generic/unbranded, as a Shower Handle can only get so complicated. Going for brand name stuff quickly gets very expensive.
Stick to stuff with a better then 1 year warranty, esp on chrome plated anythings, then buy what you like the look of. Most shower trays will do the job, it just depends on your cost:quality view point.
I have always supplied everything & got them to fit it.
I'm in the process of having our bathroom redone this week actually, day 2 of what they say is 5 days, I recon 7 days.
Stick to stuff with a better then 1 year warranty, esp on chrome plated anythings, then buy what you like the look of. Most shower trays will do the job, it just depends on your cost:quality view point.
I have always supplied everything & got them to fit it.
I'm in the process of having our bathroom redone this week actually, day 2 of what they say is 5 days, I recon 7 days.
As has been said, they want to profit off the labour and parts.
For me, three bathrooms, three different plumbers, all were more then OK with me supplying the parts. I imagine it reduces the risk of them supplying something I turn my nose up at. I do believe this is the common way of doing bathrooms, unless you go for an ''all in one company''.
Own plumber vs company are both fair ways of doing it. All in one company will design, spec, supply and fit it all owning all the risks - but charging you an easy 150 - 200% of what a normal plumber would want.
Use something like checktrade to find a couple of local plumbers, and give them a ring to come out and talk it all through. Find one you like & get on with and who is happy to show you pictures of part projects.
For me, three bathrooms, three different plumbers, all were more then OK with me supplying the parts. I imagine it reduces the risk of them supplying something I turn my nose up at. I do believe this is the common way of doing bathrooms, unless you go for an ''all in one company''.
Own plumber vs company are both fair ways of doing it. All in one company will design, spec, supply and fit it all owning all the risks - but charging you an easy 150 - 200% of what a normal plumber would want.
Use something like checktrade to find a couple of local plumbers, and give them a ring to come out and talk it all through. Find one you like & get on with and who is happy to show you pictures of part projects.
Zoon said:
Andehh said:
I'm in the process of having our bathroom redone this week actually, day 2 of what they say is 5 days, I recon 7 days.
Bloody hell are they altering the structure?5 days is a long time for a bathroom. 7 ridiculous.
Just had our ensuite done
1. Shower head/ controller - can't go wrong with HansGrohe
2. Shower tray - really wanted an ultra low profile but 25mm vs 50mm in reality was not a big difference - went with Merlyn Stone Resin
3. Shower Enclosure - went with Merlyn - they do some lovely 8mm frameless enclosures
4. Having the shelving built as we tile the enclosure
5. We went for Bauhaus brand for toilet, sink, unit and towel rail - mid range in reality
6. Have a shaver socket installed or buy a mirrored cabinet with one already in situ !
7. UFH is 100 pounds upwards works brilliantly - leave it on during the winter months and off during summer
8. Colour changing lighting - you can buy a spot bulb that changes colour
9. Light switch - have a look at tap tile as a neat solution
10. Do you need a shower pump to boost pressure of the shower ?
Try Homesupply for the sanitary ware and there's a seller on ebay selling HG shower select quite cheap !
1. Shower head/ controller - can't go wrong with HansGrohe
2. Shower tray - really wanted an ultra low profile but 25mm vs 50mm in reality was not a big difference - went with Merlyn Stone Resin
3. Shower Enclosure - went with Merlyn - they do some lovely 8mm frameless enclosures
4. Having the shelving built as we tile the enclosure
5. We went for Bauhaus brand for toilet, sink, unit and towel rail - mid range in reality
6. Have a shaver socket installed or buy a mirrored cabinet with one already in situ !
7. UFH is 100 pounds upwards works brilliantly - leave it on during the winter months and off during summer
8. Colour changing lighting - you can buy a spot bulb that changes colour
9. Light switch - have a look at tap tile as a neat solution
10. Do you need a shower pump to boost pressure of the shower ?
Try Homesupply for the sanitary ware and there's a seller on ebay selling HG shower select quite cheap !
Andehh said:
Having the floor taken up, noggined out, insulation laid, underfloor heating pipes installed & connected back to existing manifold, new flooring put down etc - it's awkward work to do so am assuming a bit longer for that!
First three tasks could be done in a day with two men. Is it massive?
Zoon said:
Andehh said:
Having the floor taken up, noggined out, insulation laid, underfloor heating pipes installed & connected back to existing manifold, new flooring put down etc - it's awkward work to do so am assuming a bit longer for that!
First three tasks could be done in a day with two men. Is it massive?
They originally advised 4 to 4.5 days to do the job, UFH stuff is gunna add on an extra day & cost as they hadn't realised the extent of the UFH - their inexperience combined with it being an odd job to do on a small bathroom - usually you go with electric. But with wet UFH in ensuite & kitchen I wanted to stay consistent
. They basically quoted for the bathroom swap & not including doing the UFH. I knew this was the case hence my original post @ them saying 5 days me saying 7 days.Going off 2 bathrooms I have had done before, £2600 for a full bathroom swap (4sqm) and UFH installation seems fair.
edit:
OP - this is the flip side to going with an all in one company. You own more risk, and have to adapt things on your own as opposed to a big company doing it all for you. I still think this is the better option, even with the extra £600 they are gunna charge me for.
Edited by Andehh on Tuesday 18th October 11:05
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