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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To spend all of our savings on refurbishing both bathrooms

51 replies

Loosemoosegoose · 01/12/2021 07:13

We have two bathrooms that are both in absolutely appalling condition. The ensuite is actually not usable as the toilet leaks and the shower drain is misaligned so can't actually drain so we've just closed that door and ignored it completely since we moved in. The main bathroom is just old and horrible but functional.
We bought everything we needed so DH could remodel the ensuite himself however, he's just got a new job which will involve more hours and we have a toddler and we just both feel taking on this massive project would be taking too much time away from us as a family as he's not a professional and would have to work very slowly to be sure he got it right. He can do it, but just not quickly.
DH thinks it would be better to continue ignoring the ensuite and be able to better enjoy the main bathroom even though we already have everything we need for the ensuite, it just needs fitting where the main bathroom needs supplying too. I disagree and think we should get the ensuite working because then we would have two bathrooms that are at least functional even if we still hate main bathroom. DD has baths, not showers so wouldn't benefit from us having the ensuite done really but also, she doesn't give a damn about the aesthetics of the main bathroom either.
So we got quotes for both bathrooms to be done and they've all come back about the same price and we can actually afford to do both one after the other but it would use all of our savings. We don't have any debt other than mortgage and we wouldn't need to take any on for this as the saving would cover it but would essentially take us back down to nothing (we have allowed for £1000 in case the quote is off slightly with unexpected costs)

WWBU to just say sod it and get both done? DH has had a small pay rise with his new job and we do save a little each month between us anyway so we could just focus really hard on getting our savings back up after again though obviously it would take a while. It would make such a difference to our enjoyment of this house to have two nice (not in anyway fancy) and functional bathrooms. But is it foolish to have no savings just in case.

OP posts:

whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy · 01/12/2021 07:22

I think you just need to make a plan and stick with it. It is a waste having kit you aren't using.

How much savings do you have and how long would it take you to build it up?

If it was us, we would fit the en suite ourselves as planned and probably the bathroom too, once the en suite was done. A bath is not essential for any child so they could cope without for a bit

Mumdiva99 · 01/12/2021 07:24

Don't use all your savings. What if there was an emergency? What if your husband lost his job or was unable to work? Do one bathroom now and one in a year.

Bagelsandbrie · 01/12/2021 07:25

@Mumdiva99

Don't use all your savings. What if there was an emergency? What if your husband lost his job or was unable to work? Do one bathroom now and one in a year.

This.

NoSquirrels · 01/12/2021 07:26

Stick to your first plan. Get the en-suite fitted, then reassess.

Bring left with no savings isn’t fun. Decide to save hard and then get the bathroom done next year.

Original poster

Loosemoosegoose · 01/12/2021 07:28

We have £9000, the quote is £8000. Between us we save about £500 a month so it would take 18 months to repay it.

OP posts:

Totalwasteofpaper · 01/12/2021 07:29

Assuming it uses alllllll your savings
Get the ensuite done only.

What if your boiler breaks / you need a new tire/ the washing machine goes?

If you can rebuild savings quickly (6 months or so) and can easily access cheap credit then do both

AndMatt · 01/12/2021 07:32

I think have them both done, but build up some more savings first. I wouldn't voluntarily live without any cushion at all.

Mindymomo · 01/12/2021 07:37

My DH is a retired bathroom installer and so many times when he’s started on one bathroom the client then wants the ensuite or other bathrooms done. I think as you’ve got the sanitaryware for the ensuite you should get that done whilst it’s still in guarantee. You won’t be disappointed and it’s something that needs doing.

FreedomFaith · 01/12/2021 07:38

If your husband has just got a secure job (no probationary period like public sector), I'd just get both done and continue saving. If its not secure yet then don't. Just get ensuite fitted as it will be the cheapest I'd assume, keep saving and next year, get the main bathroom done.

Blurp · 01/12/2021 07:40

Could your DH get the en-suite into working order fairly easily? Like, get the toilet and sink working so it's basically usable?

Then get someone in to do the main bathroom only for now? That way you keep half your savings and you can do the ensuite properly in another year or so.

Heronwatcher · 01/12/2021 07:44

What will you do if the boiler breaks, the car needs repairing or the freezer stops working. I think in your position I would perhaps get someone in to do the en suite (which sounds more difficult) and then your husband can do the main bathroom in slower time. Have you considered just painting the tiles/ new shower screen etc- there are some amazing bathroom makeovers online.

rrhuth · 01/12/2021 07:47

I'd do one at a time so you have some savings left in between, just in case.

Multiple bathrooms are nice, but no one has an urgent need unless you have care needs

nzeire · 01/12/2021 07:49

Do it I say! We just had both ours done and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in this house! They are gorgeous. Wentover budget, took ages, and so bloody worth it. I figure ill be paying off rather than saving over the next year or two, no biggie.

nzeire · 01/12/2021 07:50

Starting the day is A LOT better, the old bathrooms were horrendous, and we put up with them for years!

WhatsWrongWithMyUsername · 01/12/2021 07:55

If you can save £500 a month and don’t have any debt then you don’t have no cushion.

I would just get them both done then make sure you stick to saving hard, and not get much for Christmas.

AD3000 · 01/12/2021 07:56

Get the ensuite only done for now and save up for the other in a year or two.

Then you keep some savings, have two usable bathrooms and a savings goal to aim for.

WayneKorr · 01/12/2021 08:02

Two years ago I'd have said one then the other but now I'd say go for both. Enjoy your home
You are saving £500 a month, that's a lot

icedcoffees · 01/12/2021 08:02

I suspect it'll take you months to find a fitter/plumber with any availability anyway - everyone around here is booked up until the middle of next year at the earliest.

So I would continue saving as much as possible for now while you put feelers out to get someone booked in.

DH is doing our bathroom at the moment as the wait (and cost) for tradesmen is ridiculous. Luckily he's fully trained but it's a pain in the arse doing it on top of a full time job.

TeaAndStrumpets · 01/12/2021 08:07

You should get the ensuite done regardless. If you have leaking plumbing you risk all sorts of rot.

MildredsMoustache · 01/12/2021 08:07

I can understand the temptation, but I'd be too cautious to use all my savings at once.

Is there a way to get the en suite toilet usable for now at least?

Then either wait a bit and do both properly in a year or so, when you have a little bit more savings in case of a true emergency, and/or just get the main bathroom done for now and let DH chip away at the en suite as and when.

My DH did a similar job in our house, and it really did take him a looong time. Like a year, when professionals would have done it all in a few days. It looks amazing now and saved us so much money, but it was very frustrating to live with!

WayneKorr · 01/12/2021 08:08

Good point @icedcoffees, everyone is booked solid near us too. I'd start putting feelers out soon

SeasonFinale · 01/12/2021 08:08

Personally I would do the ensuite now as you have the stiff. Use it for a while as it may make you change your mind about what you would do to the main one which after all does still function. It would then only take about 6 months to top savings back up but still give a cushion if an emergency happened (eg car or boiler crisis!)

Reallybadidea · 01/12/2021 08:14

So the cost would be about £4500 each? I would get the en suite done so that you have 2 functioning bathrooms. You will have £4500 left in savings. 9 months of saving will allow you to get the 2nd bathroom done, which really isn't long to wait.

You will also get that happy feeling of having a lovely new bathroom two separate times, so I think you'll get more pleasure from getting them done separately overall.

Trumpton · 01/12/2021 08:14

I would do the en-suite.
My reasoning is you are paying for that space every month on your mortgage. So say it’s a 1/10th of your house then that’s how much money is going every month on unusable space.
I saw this argument used on a hoaxers programme and it stuck with me.
Also you have the fittings and might get a plumber quickly if he knows he can just waltz in and start without any lead time

Trumpton · 01/12/2021 08:14

Ffs HOARDER’S not hoaxers

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