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Is this stupid to do….

51 replies

Meraleine · 26/01/2025 12:07

I want to get rid of my bath and replace with a walk-in shower as I’ve not had a bath in 5 years!

However, is this going to make it harder to sell in future? It’s a 2 bed house so assume many potential buyers would be young families/ pre-family.

Would you buy a house with only a walk in shower? If you loved the house would you just think you could replace if you wanted a bath?

OP posts:
user989 · 26/01/2025 12:08

I wouldn’t buy a house without a bath

Coffeeguru81 · 26/01/2025 12:09

So now you have a. Shower over the bath?

it may reduce a bit but if you’re not planning to move any time soon…. Don’t let that stop you. It’s a home first and foremost

Sfog96 · 26/01/2025 12:09

Yes, stupid.

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Meraleine · 26/01/2025 12:09

Yeah shower over bath at moment. But it’s rubbish!

OP posts:
VotingForYourself · 26/01/2025 12:09

You will put off families. But maybe your house will be sold to someone who doesn't want a bath

YoureSpreadingShitInsteadOfSunshine · 26/01/2025 12:10

There is always divided opinion on this.
I personally wouldn’t buy a house where I had to go through the faff of putting a bath back in, and my DC’s are young adults.
If you are going to live there for many years do the bathroom how you would prefer, if you are going to sell in 1-2 years keep the bath.

PineappleCoconut · 26/01/2025 12:10

Do whatever suits you
You live there
If you currently have a bath, I'd make the walk in shower the same size as a standard bath, and keep some spare tiles and the grout colour, so it could be changed back to a bath easily.

AnneLovesGilbert · 26/01/2025 12:11

Mum would buy a house without a bath as she rippled her own out as she’s got mobility issues. I’ve got small DC and like the occasional soak so I wouldn’t. Get a better shower? Ours is above the bath but it’s so good I miss it when we’re away!

Coffeeguru81 · 26/01/2025 12:13

Meraleine · 26/01/2025 12:09

Yeah shower over bath at moment. But it’s rubbish!

Upgrade that

NuffSaidSam · 26/01/2025 12:13

When I was looking to buy having a bath was a positive, but not a deal breaker if everything else was good.

I think if you're planning to sell in the next few years keep it. If you're staying put long-term have it how you like it.

When it comes to selling you may have to put the bath back or accept slightly less from someone who considers it a bit of a project.

PineappleCoconut · 26/01/2025 12:14

When I did my elderly father's bungalow I ripped out the bath and replaced it with a walk in shower. When it came to selling after he died, the bathroom was older and the shower needed some improvements. So I told the agent I'd either fix up the shower or replace the bath. Cost me exactly the same £, new buyers were over the moon I'd done it for them. But I wasn't going to leave a damaged (by DF) shower, so either way I was going to spend £ to get it fixed. It cost me a couple of hundred in labour and the price of a cheap bath and bath tap. Didn't even have the change the tiles or shower.

ClassicalQueen · 26/01/2025 12:15

It depends if you plan on moving anytime soon. If in the next year or two, upgrade to a nicer bath and shower set, if you're planning on staying long term, get the shower and be happy. It's your house at the end of the day.

Meraleine · 26/01/2025 12:16

@AnneLovesGilbert got a link?

OP posts:
TappyGilmore · 26/01/2025 12:26

I don’t have a bath. Two bed new build. Fairly common here in NZ - baths are great for kids but no-one over the age of 10 ever has a bath, so not needed in smaller houses.

If it were a three or four bed family home, then I’d say it wouldn’t be a good idea to lose the bath. But in a smaller property it’s not an issue.

For me personally, I couldn’t do with a shower over bath, I absolutely must have a walk-in shower. I don’t really care if there is a bath or not. We had a bath in our last house and no-one used it, but it would still take ages to clean because it got so dusty - I certainly don’t miss it!

Movinghouseatlast · 26/01/2025 12:30

We put in a really good shower over bath with a folding shower screen. I think you have to get good quality stuff, but if you do you can have the best of both worlds.

I would buy a house without a bath unless the bathroom needed ripping out.

maximist · 26/01/2025 12:36

I have a bath and a separate shower, I think I've used the bath twice in the eight years I've lived here. And in both occasions sat there wondering what the point was. So, no, only a shower wouldn't bother me at all.

Meraleine · 26/01/2025 12:36

@Movinghouseatlast do you have a link to the type of good quality shower and folding screen. I’ve been browsing for weeks but there’s so much choice and I’ve never done a bathroom before so feel a bit bewildered!

OP posts:
AuntieMarys · 26/01/2025 12:39

I haven't had a bath for 30 years . Hate them.

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 26/01/2025 13:06

I would prefer a house with a decent walk in shower rather than bath.
The idea of a bath is far more attractive than the reality & I've not had one for years.
Even the children shower rather than bath.

adamduritzvocalchords · 26/01/2025 13:09

We have a four bed house with 3/4 kids living here (older teens), we took the bath out about 5 years ago and have never missed it. We are not planning on moving anytime soon so we did what suited us rather than thinking 20 years into the future.

placemats · 26/01/2025 13:10

I would also love the link to a good shower over the bath. My good combination shower now needs replacing. Gas powered.

I'm of the mind of getting a shower bath, so more room to manoeuvre. I'm also installing a shower room downstairs.

I haven't had a bath in a year and always shower after it.

It wouldn't bother me not having a bath, but if you're going to replace it with a shower make it a big roomy one.

TickingAlongNicely · 26/01/2025 13:14

If there's not space for a shower and a bath, I would definitely chose shower instead of bath. Daily practicality over occasional relaxation.

ETA... known a few people whove broken limbs in showers over baths. Gate them in hotels too.

verycloakanddaggers · 26/01/2025 13:21

It is fine. Just keep pictures of the bath so you can demonstrate to future buyers they can reverse it if they wish.

We bought a house with a shower, we swapped it out for a bath.

Don't do a full tiled room, because then it is expensive to change. If the shower is replaceable without needing to mess up anything else that is a cheaper swap later.

AwaitingFreedom · 26/01/2025 13:21

I'm looking to buy and have ignored every single house that doesn't have a bath. You can always add an electrtic shower over the bath quite easily and cheaply. Mine is a Triton but it's 20 years old now. Brilliant shower.

Have you checked your water pressure if yours is useless?

verycloakanddaggers · 26/01/2025 13:24

I'm looking to buy and have ignored every single house that doesn't have a bath.

I don't understand this approach, it is very little work to install a bath so long as there is space.