Nervous to ring the plumber

[Lucyloo223]

I've never had any building work done but I really want a bath in my bathroom which just has a shower. My friend has recommended someone but I'm really nervous to ring him because I don't know what I have to say. I'm also really struggling to know what I want the bathroom to look like apart from wanting a bath. I've got myself a bit worked up about it all. Any advice please? Please be kind, I know this will seem like a tiny thing to most people.

I struggle with phone anxiety so completely get it.

Would you feel more comfortable contacting a plumber via social media? A lot of self employed rely on Facebook and instagram for advertising.

You’ll need your measurements of your bathroom and measurements of bath tubs. So use that as a starting point.

Your first step is figuring out what exactly you want your bathroom to look like at the end of it. Spend some time looking at ideas, Pinterest is good for it. Then once you have a few ideas in mind, call the plumber. No point in ringing him now when you’re not sure what you’re even asking for.

I suffer from anxiety like this and it’s dreadful, so no judgement from me OP!

Thank you so much. It's awful isn't it. I don't know how to get better at it.
I contacted him on fb messenger but he asked me to call him today. Okay I'll take measurements of the bathroom before I call him.

Oh and OP, don’t get bogged down if many users vote you’re being unreasonable. It might seem like you’re being unreasonable, but you’re not, it’s your anxiety that’s being unreasonable (which is essentially what anxiety is 90% of the time 🙈😂😭)

I wouldn't bother with measuring anything and just ask him to come round to have a look as you want to remodel your bathroom to include a bath. Then you are not getting yourself all in a tizz.

It's completely understandable, I hate calling people too.

I try to prepare as much as possible, and create a little introduction script before calling.

The plumber will probably want to come out and look at the bathroom too.

Good luck. Hope it looks lovely when finished

We were a bit like this, mainly we just didn't know or to be honest care all that much about things like layout or the small details. Our bathroom was a 1970s monstrosity with a terracotta brown suite, weird layout, carpet and the most bizarre configuration to allow a shower cubicle to be fitted.

We found a small local bathroom fitting firm that have been in business for over 25 years and have loads of good feedback online spanning back years.

Told them what we definitely wanted

• L shaped shower bath
• sink unit with storage
• dark vinyl floor tiles
• dark wall panels around bath and back of sink

Then we just let them design the floor plan and pick the accessories like taps and shower screen. We got to veto anything we didn' like but they made choices we liked so it was easy.

They're halfway through doing the bathroom this week and happy with what we're seeing so far, so hopefully we'll be happy at the end.

Not being able to picture the finished result that you want can be a neurodivergent brain thing - it's a sequencing problem and can be a hindrance to starting any job, from tidying up to planning renovations. As allwiredup already said, try looking at Pinterest, or even bathroom sales websites to get some ideas of what you want. Measure everything in your bathroom and take photos, and then contact a few plumbers via email or FB messenger so you can send the pics and measurements as well, and ask if they have any availability and if so, for a quote. Ask them to only contact you by that method as you have phone anxiety/phobia.

so, just ask him to pop around. Many plumbers and tradesman are completely
used to dealing with people who don’t know exactly what they want or need- the customer isn’t usually the subject matter expert here!

pop into Wickes or similar and have a look. See what you like the look of, see what might fit for you: take some photos of the displays.

No need to measure first before the plumber comes- they will do their own measuring anyway, and they won’t ask you for all the measurements before they’ve even looked at the place anyway.

If they’ve asked you to contact them then I’d go with that as your opening bit when you call - hi my name is x, I sent you a fb message and you asked me to call you. Would you be able to come round and take a look before giving me a quote please?
Then they might ask questions, and you can say you’re not sure but you want a bath etc and arrange a date for them to come and look 😊

You need to go to several shops where they have multiple bathrooms on display. They will be expensive but will allow you to get an idea as to what you want.

Then go back to your plumber and say that you've seen X style bathroom in Y shop and you'd like something similar

@Lucyloo223

What might work is if you take your own measurements and find a bathroom showroom that will work with you on a design.

When we did ours the showroom we found had a brilliant 3-d programme that gave us a full visual view of what the bathroom could look like. We could then change things around to end up with one we were very happy with. So taps, units, shower controls, etc.

Then we found a local plumber (you have been recommended one so even better) As you have your design ready it might make that phone call easier.

Our bathroom is identical to the 3-D image we were shown.

Measure the bathroom, have a look online of baths that have been added to existing bathrooms so you can get an idea of what you like and present the images a guide to what you want.

Thank you so much everyone. Rang him on Tuesday and he's coming to see next week. Just got to go to the bathroom shop now and work out what I want which will be my next step to overcome 😅I really do envy people who don't find these things hard!!

This, he won’t care about room size before he’s got there. I normally find pics of styles / layouts I like, ask if it’s possible, and also ask if the plumber has any different ideas.

Least that's one thing organised have a look at what you like take pictures and the plumber might be able to get it at trade price for you.

I hate using the phone. I have to limber up to phone strangers, in particular.

I usually write a few notes down to get across what I need first. Then on the same bit of paper write down notes on what was said.

Gah. Didn't read the whole thread!

When choosing a bathroom, most people have a few ideas eg want a bath, and others they're not sure about eg what type of taps. Contractors are accustomed to that

Our bathroom contractor realised we were overwhelmed by too many options so he narrowed down options for us and gave us a choice of eg 3 basins, 3 types of taps. I found this helpful

FYI, my tips are - (1) chrome mirrors / radiators are a false economy as they go rusty, worth paying more for stainless steel (2) floating rimless toilet is the easiest to clean, (3) this website has loads of good options https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/

I have this problem sometimes. It's sometimes like you know exactly what you want, but your brain won't let you have access to the words you need to communicate it, so you're fumbling around for the right words, and then you get nervous and shy away. It's a real bugger because communicating precisely what you're after needs to be as concise as possible to avoid mishaps.

I find taking the time to think about it and breaking it down into manageable chunks helps a lot. Then you think about any questions you might get asked and have answers ready.

You might even find the bathroom you end up with is way better than what you imagined. Good luck!

People scared of calling plumbers....

Western society is collapsing.

I would go to a shop like B and Q or City Plumbing and get their designer to help you. City Plumbing did an amazing service for us. Obviously you are committing to the shop providing you with the suites etc.

You'll be fine once you get discussing things I'm sure. Try to look at it like this
You'll have a lovely bathroom at the end of it ,exactly what suits you,style,colour etc.
As a bonus it'll give you that extra bit of confidence for the next time you need some thing doing. Good luck!

There was no need to comment really was there?