To ask you what I need to know before getting an en suite fitted?

[coodawoodashooda]

I have a massive bedroom in quite a basic house and am investigating the possibility of getting an en suite fitted. Any advice? Tia

Second bathroom instead of en suite, unless you have more than one bathroom already - better for guests and adult children.

If no window, don't have the overhead light, which is linked to the fan, as the only light. Have a second light, eg over the mirror, wired separately, for night-time use.

Don't have a Sanflo toilet unless there really is no other way. It will be a pain (people will put stuff in it that they shouldn't) and eventually it will need costly repair/replacement.

I personally think that having an ensuite that is shared by a couple is overrated unless you really need to move from the bedroom to the bathroom in privacy (for instance due to children or guests), and value that over the disadvantages.

With an ensuite, if somebody goes in there while the other partner is trying to sleep, there there is usually light and noise affecting the bedroom. Light because the light switches usually have to be outside the door in the UK. And noise because a door is much less effective than a wall at blocking sound.

I would rather have a bathroom that is near to the bedroom but not an ensuite. That way there are two proper doors between the bedroom and the bathroom. If that is not possible, then at least having a dressing in between the ensuite and the sleeping area if there is space can permit having two doors between the noisy bathroom and the sleeping area.

Some really helpful tips. A couple of things, I threw my husband out for being so no concerns about sharing with a partner. I have 3 preteen kids and we are nearly struggling with one toilet. There is absolutely no way of making the ensuite an actual bathroom. Does anyone have any idea of the cost involved? I was thinking it might be about 6 grand?

Shower, basin, loo, extractor fan and window if possible (a no poo rule is stupid imo - that’s what a loo is for) but if you have the room, have a walk-thru dressing room to get to the en-suite - that way you’ll be protected in your bedroom by 2 doors as well as the extractor/window combination!

It’s a non starter if you cannot get access to a waste pipe. Do NOT go for a macerator toilet no matter what a plumber suggests. The are still shit (excuse the pun).

Quietest extractor you can find. Spend money to get a decent one. Will it have a window? If not again spend the money on decent extractors and don’t use paint on the walls in case of condensation stains.

Get a dual fuel heated towel rail.
Once you have chosen your tiles, choose your grout and make sure the tiler gets the exact grout that you have chosen. My experience of tilers is that they choose the grout themselves, and they have no flipping idea.

Cost depends a huge amount on what needs doing and where you are. We have just had an existing ensuite stripped back to bare floor and walls and redone nicely but inexpensively and that was £5K (in the SE). If you need walls built, any complexity to the plumbing, high end equipment or finishes then it can go up quite quickly - and good luck getting anyone decent to do it at the moment...

I think it’s important the en-suite has a window.

Rimless toilet. Game changer for cleaning.

Yes 6k is absolutely doable if you are doing some work yourself/shopping around for deals on tiles etc

Places like bathroom warehouse often have end of line or returned deals on baths/sinks etc

A lot of decent bargains on floor tiles are online only. Order one pack see if you like them, return if you don't.

Storage, make sure you have enough.

Oh and congratulations on being a single parent, I find it so much easier than being married to a dickhead. An ensuite is my haven away from my teen

And yes, current waste pipe etc will determine how you approach it.

Love an en-suite!

Definitely need window - I was very surprised at how easy it is to knock holes in walls and put new windows in.

I’m excited on your behalf OP.

Just be aware that it will cause disruption to the rest of the house too, they’ll probably have to take up carpets, floor boards etc to put the pipes in, electrics etc.

Decide where your bed will sit in the room and have the door of the en suite a far as possible from it. You don't want to be staring at a toilet whilst lying in bed should the door be left open.

Consider a sliding door to save space

Second low lighting for late night visits or relaxing in the bath. Have some LED lights for that reason in ours and much kinder on the eyes when stumbling around half asleep and didn't add much to the electric budget.

If you can, have jack /Jill arrangement... Pals fitted standard en suite... To later convert to jack /kill as an extra bathroom...so doors from bedroom and from hallway...

Now when you go in, you just lock both doors.

Works well.

They were about to sell... EA said it gave more value as more flexible.

A powerful shower with a low profile shower tray is an invitation for overflowing tray and leaks occurring. Ours simply can’t drain quickly enough.

Agree dual energy towel rail, toasty towels all year round not just when the central heating is on.

No white grout. Ever,

100% need a window in there

Consider having motion detector low lights - so that if someone has to use the loo in the middle of the night they are not blinded by bright light, and their partner is not disturbed either by the lights or the extractor fan (which usually comes on when the main light is switched on).

I have no issue with a en suites and in our house if it was another bathroom, it would just be a free for all rather than MY space. It's not large nor a sanctuary but it's mine (although DH is allowed to use it ).

With all your children, I would have an en suite and the largest shower possible.

Ours has a basin, a loo, (and a door to close while using loo) ; an opening window, big windows sill for pot plants, and a very large walk-in wetroom/shower with a folding disability seat and grab bars ( installed by previous owner) . I LOVE that roomy shower. Was very useful for hosing down the grandkids when younger and helping GD wash her very long hair (I can stay outside it, dry). Even more useful in the future when one or both of us b ecome derelict and need personal care assistance . Someone can hose us down in perfect comfort.

Wouldn't be without our en suite.

The other bathroom has a basin, bath loo and bidet. And a door, of course.

Make sure the shower door is easy to navigate. For some reason, manufacturers seem to assume everyone is about size 8.

So there is no existing en-suite? Do you have a bathroom backing onto your bedroom, or is it above a bathroom? It’s possible but it won’t be cheap to install the soil pipe and plumbing you need, I would speak to a plumber for advice first, to get a cost.

£6k I would say is doable if the existing plumber is there, it will cost more to put it in and cause more disruption, but having another bathroom will put money on the property.

This is so true, I have a massive shower but the door doesn’t open very far. Wasn’t a problem until I was pregnant and suddenly couldn’t fit in.