Second hand bathroom suite

[Longingforatikihut]

Well, I finally got my 'tiki hut (Victorian terrace) last summer and now I'm slowly trying to do it up on a tight budget.

I've been offered a full bathroom suite on freecycle but friends say it's gross (the idea of a second hand bathroom not the suite itself). The suite is in my preferred style and good condition, I'd just need to collect. Obviously it would save a few hundred on buying a new suite, save waste etc. The current suite I have is functional but very tired with unfixable damage from previous owner's Tennant's.

Am I also missing something about why I shouldn't take it and use it?

So...

IABU to take a second hand bathroom, it's gross.
YANBU to save hundreds of pounds, and the planet, just give it a good clean.

Definitely get it, give it a good clean job done,

Go for it, ignore your friends.

But whenever you move to a new house, you have a second hand bathroom
There is literally no difference, go for it!

Go for it! I don't even understand your friend's issue, so do they put in a whole new bathroom suite when they move house, just because the previous owner used it? What a bizarre attitude

Definitely do it! Baths, toilets, sinks can last for a long time! Shower cubicles/doors/screens more tricky. As someone else said, it is the same if you buy a "second hand" house. Or indeed use a bathroom anywhere other than your own house!

It's only the Queen and Madonna, AFAIK, that insist on a new toilet seat being fitted before they will use the facilities. As long as you give it all a good scrub it will be fine.

Thanks you. @meatballmarinara this was my argument along with reminding them that hotels don't refit a while new bathroom between guests, visiting friends houses, Etc etc.

I'm glad my friend is the one being weird. I have had times of having absolutely nothing, not even a roof so sometimes I worry I'm doing something too socially unacceptable.

Thanks all.

Baths, toilets, sinks can last for a long time!

^Only high quality ones will.

Aww, please post when you have had your first soak in your new bath. I am happy for you. Light lots of candles and splash in the bubbles! 🛁🚽🚿🎀

You already have a second hand bathroom suite, just like virtually all tenants and many home owners.

Absolutely nothing wrong with replacing it with another second hand suite that you like better and is in better condition. As you said, just give it a good clean.

does your friend never use any bathroom except her own?

And yet your friend will sleep in hotel beds, touch door handles and use public toilets without thinking about it.

A good scrub with bleach and a delime agent will have the suite looking a if was new (well as if it was always there)

I don’t understand how it’s gross. So they buy a brand new bathroom when they move house? They never use a bath, shower or toilet in a hotel? They’re ridiculous!

Thanks everyone.

I'm glad I'm not the weird one. Think friend must have some Freudian level poop issues.

@growinggreyer it will be stored for now. My next job is to get new windows and doors, but I can't pass up saving nearly a thousand pounds on a bathroom suite that will need replacing soon after.

Thanks Mumsnetters. I don't have a mum so I really love having you all to come ask advice of.

The only thing I can think of is that it might be slightly nicer for the installer to work with brand new items than with potentially dirty ones. But presumably the previous owner will clean it, and plumbers obviously fix not-brand-new bathrooms. So as long as you have a practical way to transport it and have an installer willing to work with the suite (I don't know if anything is more difficult about installing secondhand), you can clean it again after it's fitted.

Nothing wrong with this and good for you reducing waste!

I'd probably look to replace the more consumable items (taps, waste, even the toilet seat), but the main parts (bath, toilet, sink) if in good condition when clean properly will basically look like new anyway.

@newname12345 I would be replacing toilet seat. The taps I like so I'll see what state they're in.

Get it. It’s fine and it’s good for the environment too. I do like the auto correct though, the previous suite damaged by the previous owner’s Tennants. Like they were bathing in lager.

Do they not visit hotels? Isn't a bathroom suite second hand when you move into a house with previous owners?
It's mad how we have become so used to having everything new, such a waste! Enjoy your new bathroom op!

We have a horrible salmon pink/peach suite but can't afford to replace it. Why have I never though about looking at second hand ones?

your friends definitely the weird one here.

I have a friend who thought it gross that we didn’t immediately replace the bathroom suite when we moved into our 1930s house. It wasn’t the original suite btw. She has only ever lived in new builds.

One thing to look out for is if its a proper old set the piping / metal work may not be standard sizes for push or screw threads on connections. If you have plumbers lined up it may be cheeper to have them drop by to check measurement before they are booked in for full days only to find you need to special order and wait a day for a £1 fitting.

We have bought all second hand sanitary ware- and saved a fortune!
Villeroy and Boch double ended bath for £1, expensive shower cubicle £25- posh taps, the lot.

Also worth keeping your eyes open for kitchens- DS has just got a perfect oak kitchen (including range cooker) for under £200. Some are advertised as buyer to remove, be prepared to borrow a van or trailer.

Facebook market place or buy/swap/sell groups are great for this.

You are being both thrifty and environmentally friendly- win win!

If you are stuck paint everything else the same colour (or a muted tone of it) it becomes less jumpy out.

I fantasy bathroom is a vibtage coloured deco bathroom suite. I'd definitely go for it.

I've had a second hand Ikew freestanding kitchen too, I still miss it and would definitely do that again.