Get rid of toilet in new build

[putitdown356]

About to move in to a 3 bed new build, one bathroom and one en suite upstairs, with a loo downstairs.

I want to get rid of downstairs loo and put a washing machine and dryer in there.

I live on my own. If I don't do this washing machine will go in kitchen and dryer im not sure where it could go. Does this sound like a mistake? Or would you also do this?

most new builds will have space for a washing machine. But I don’t think it’s ‘appalling’ not to have space for a tumble drier😊.

I would definitely check the legal aspect, but I think as long as the plumbing is left in place, so capped off, I would be ok. A toilet could then be easily fitted if needed, house being sold, in the future for myself etc.

Personally I wouldn’t do it, I have a washer dryer instead. I also live alone and don’t have many guests but the downstairs loo is so convenient. I can just nip into it quickly e.g. when I’ve been in the garden, I only need to clean or tidy downstairs when I do have people over. Although tbh I only have a bathroom upstairs and no en suite

I'm 50 odd and live in a house with two toilets... both upstairs 😱 . It's not exactly an arduous task to walk up a flight of stairs at my age - surely it's a positive thing to keep as active as possible as we get older and walking upstairs is good exercise. If you were talking about people 70+ with decreasing mobility you might have a point.

OP, so want you want with your toilet! If it suits you best to adapt it (and changes can be reversed) then go for it.

I genuinely don't get this.
You could get your white goods built up perhaps ? Can you upgrade the kitchen for that?

Is this an open-plan kitchen diner?

The house can't be designed with no plumbing for a washing machine. The washing machine is usually close to the sink for water in and out.

If you have a washer dryer the dryer is a condenser type and doesn't need plumbing.

its so small I don't think I could do that, as much as I would like to. If you are sitting on the loo I don't even know if the washing machine door could fully open.

Could you fit a compact toilet with self contained basin like https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/artis-2-in-1-back-to-wall-toilet-and-basin-combination-unit-grey-gloss-500mm-width-936-1274657?utmsource=organic&utmmmedium=shoppingfeed&utmcampaign=googlebase&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlDOhwgasbKLnOskdzJjTrRNNNj&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwTGjQOWb6QyjBLDsC3N40wfI4YJUUQjj1-ohGOogul6KF80hyOgQsaAlinEALw_wcB and configure the remaining space to accommodate a stacked washer and dryer. It would need some ventilation though, to prevent condensation.

I don't get that comment either unless the poster was talking about 'urgency' rather than mobility.

Not having a loo downstairs means any visitors ( even tradesmen) have to access your loo upstairs which means you have to be quite 'trusting' about allowing them to.

And if you have elderly parents (80+) they may appreciate a loo downstairs.
As would you if, God forbid, you broke a leg.

The property will be worth less if you remove it. Downstairs toilets are useful for guests and anyone with limited mobility.

If this is a new house what does the show house or floor plan show?

Is everyone at odds with the design of the kitchen and a washing machine?

@LemonSherbertDabs the space next to the kitchen sink was just a cupboard. I guess I could take that out.

I would dry some things outside in summer, but would use dryer all the time in winter I think. Ive never actually had one though, so maybe if it uses loads of electricity I would re think.

I'd keep the downstairs loo and put the washing machine/dryer upstairs (bathroom or spare bedroom?).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-and-use-of-buildings-approved-document-m

Most people lose a base unit for a washing machine.

That's common practice. There is usually a space next to the sink for a dishwasher and / washer.

I don't understand this at all.
It's new home so where is the plumbing for the washing machine?

Dryers wear your clothes out, they are expensive and not very eco-friendly.
Even in this grey weather I can get towels 50% dry on a line and finish off with a quick tumble dry.

The whole kitchen/diner is 16.58 meter sq. The house was finished (apart from flooring as I requested hardwood not carpets upstairs) when I looked round and there were no spaces in the row of cupboards.

Just because someone struggles with stairs, it doesn't mean they need a wheelchair.

But there must be hot/cold pipes and fittings for a washing machine? If not, you've been sold a very odd house.

You can’t cap it off. You have to have an actual toilet, whether you like it or not.

Don’t know why you’ve attached to my post.
Im talking about lifetime homes and their requirements so OP can assess whether hers is one.
Its got nothing to do with individuals level of disability and personal use.

Are you saying that at 55 someone isn't able to go upstairs to the toilet?

Do it OP!

I'm single and in a small (10 year old) new build. I've been in there 2 years and used the downstairs loo genuinely 3 times. I now use it as the cleaning cupboard & general dumping ground - ironing board, clothes horse, hoover, mop & bucket, etc. all live in there. It's bonkers these tiny houses are built with 3 loos. And for me, as it's such a small house, it's actually better if guests use the upstairs one for noise reasons.

I would like to put the washer & dryer in there instead, just keeping the plumbing access and replacing the world's smallest sink with one that you can fit your hands in. The only reason I haven't is I know downstairs loo is a big tick list item for some buyers and I'm hoping to move again in another 3 or 4 years. If I wasn't thinking of moving fairly soon, I'd 100% do it.

At the moment my kitchen has space for washing machine only, I do miss having a dryer personally, especially in winter. I chose against washer dryer as I've had 2 before and both were like 80% satisfactory for washing & drying. I've gone single washing machine this time to get 100% satisfactory wash and got a dehumidifier to speed up the drying.

But your idea is what I'd really want! I think if you're living in your house with no real plan to move on imminently, put in what you want to live there happily.

I did this but not with a new build, it also has all coats, bags and shoes etc and was the best decision I made. I’ve kept all the pipes in place so we could turn it back if we want to sell. I didn’t want to lose either of the bathrooms upstairs as they both had space for a shower/bath so were more useful rooms.

Is there any possibility to have the dryer in the understairs cupboard? We had to do that in our first house as we had no utility.

"Not having a loo downstairs means any visitors ( even tradesmen) have to access your loo upstairs which means you have to be quite 'trusting' about allowing them to."

What do you think the average tradesman is going to do to your upstairs rooms?
This is how everybody without a downstairs toilet lives and it's hardly a huge problem.

We just got a combo washing machine dryer, they're much better these days than they used to be and you can just run both cycles without thinking about it or having to move things.