New bathroom help!!!

[BornInBristol]

Hi! Just bought our first house, a 2 bed Victorian terrace with one downstairs bathroom. We're doing some major renovations (new kitchen, new bathroom) & I'm having real trouble choosing the bathroom (for the kitchen, we've gone for quite a traditional/farmhouse look which we like).

We really like the look of the traditional bathroom suite:

www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/york-traditional-bathroom-suite-1700-x-700mm

But our builders told us Victorian Plumbing is terrible quality! They sent me to BBS (where I didn't like anything), and this morning I went to City Plumbing. They have a nice traditional looking suite but it comes to £2000 which is far too much for us!!!

Of course I don't want to buy rubbish quality, but is Victorian Plumbing really that bad? Does anyone have any other recommendations for doing a traditional looking bathroom on a midrange budget?

Any advice would be much appreciated!:-)

[wowfudge]

Hmm - I think your builders are sending you to the trade places where they have accounts and pricing isn't transparent. If your builders buy the suite for you, I guarantee they will not be paying the retail price you have been told.

Victorian Plumbing sell branded products so I'm not so sure about the quality not being good.

[MangoMoon]

I've just had a bathroom fitted using Victorian plumbing stuff & it's fine for me.

It's not top end, but it looks nice and that's all that mattered to me tbh!

[BornInBristol]

Thanks guys, I didn't know Victorian Plumbing did branded stuff, I'll have another look.

I'm also a little dubious about going to places where the builders have accounts & prices are not transparent.

[thisisbloodyridiculous]

I've just had a new bathroom - found Victorian Plumbing not great for customer service. Victoria Plumb on the other hand were absolutely brilliant & highly recommend them. Pretty much everything in the bathroom is now from Victoria Plumb and it's great.

Can I also suggest looking at a basic modern suite? We considered the traditional style as we have a very old cottage but in the end have gone for a basic style suite and Laura Ashley tiles which make it look more timeless & chic - rather than old fashioned. It works well in our house.

[BornInBristol]

That's interesting thisis, I've also been thinking about having a basic modern suite and then decorate to get the timeless/traditional "look" we are after.

[nennyrainbow]

Sounds like your builder wants a cut for himself. I would ignore him.
We had a high flush traditional toilet put in a few years ago and I think it was from Victorian plumbing. It looks identical to the one on their website. It works fine.

[poochiepants]

I'd always go to see the fittings that you're buying, as they could well be right about the quality. Is Formby close by??! Trades do tend to stick to what they know, as then they're pretty much guaranteed an install success, but that shouldn't stop you from getting what you want. I'd ask them what their other preferred suppliers are, and stick to your guns about the style - but do check out the quality of Victorian Plumbing. And ask them why they think they're not good....

[poochiepants]

I'd always go to see the fittings that you're buying, as they could well be right about the quality. Is Formby close by??! Trades do tend to stick to what they know, as then they're pretty much guaranteed an install success, but that shouldn't stop you from getting what you want. I'd ask them what their other preferred suppliers are, and stick to your guns about the style - but do check out the quality of Victorian Plumbing. And ask them why they think they're not good....

[bojorojo]

I think the exposed soil pipe at the back of the loo is too "traditional" for my tastes. I think a back to the wall loo is much more attractive. I also think the vanity unit is a bit basic too. This looks like a suite you would find in local authority housing or a student flat and won't add much value to your house. I would expect to find this in a house modernised about 30 years ago - it is very dated.

[Believeitornot]

Do some shopping around. Any local bathroom stores? You might find end of range of ex display stock which is decent but reduced.

[MrsDarcy4092]

From experience bathstore are good and well priced and I think you will get a much nicer looking traditional bathroom than the one pictured.

[PigletJohn]

take a look at Plumbworld

If you put "clearance" into their search field it will often bring up some bargains.

White sanitaryware doesn't vary much. The quality of the taps and other accessories makes the biggest difference. I am especially fond of Bristan taps and Aqualisa showers.

Don't get pop-up wastes, they will leak.

Don't put a cabinet or shelf above the basin, when you drop a glass jar or bottle, it will crack the basin.

If modern fashion is important to you, get a WC with a push button flush on the lid. If reliability and ease of repair are important to you, don't.

Have you got a hot-water cylinder? What colour? This is important.