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New bathroom - any hints/tips pitfalls to avoid? We are complete novices!

12 replies

roisin · 20/03/2008 17:22

We are useless at DIY, so we will not be doing it ourselves. But would appreciate any hints/tips of possible problems and how to avoid getting stung by contractors.

We (they!) will be

  • removing the current bathroom suite (bath, toilet, sink)
  • removing an old airing cupboard (tank was removed some years ago when combi boiler was installed)
  • removing all the tiles (half the bathroom is tiled wall-ceiling)
  • installing vent/fan thing
  • skimming/plastering the walls and priming (we will paint, I think) installing new bathroom suite (bath, toilet, sink, and* separate shower)
  • fitting 'cladding stuff' on the shower walls
  • tiling just around the bath
OP posts:
Maidamess · 20/03/2008 17:23

What is claddding stuff? Like tongue and groove?

roisin · 20/03/2008 17:44

Some sort of panel-things to use instead of tiling around the shower. The bathroom showroom people recommended them.

OP posts:
ThingOne · 20/03/2008 17:51

Get quotes from several people.

RubySlippers · 20/03/2008 18:04

we are just doing the exact same thing - things like hidden pipe work cost a lot more, so facto r that sort of stuff in

tiling can vary hugely in price as can plastering etc

agree you should get several quotes

RubyRioja · 20/03/2008 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleMissTickles · 20/03/2008 18:17

Check on water pressure for the shower - you may need to buy special fitting for shower to ensure decent water pressure in there.

Don't save money on the taps.

champagnesupernova · 20/03/2008 18:21

Storage, storage, storage!

Where are you going to put the stuff that was in the airing cupboard? (are you building another one?)

Loo rolls, nappies etc?

Cosmetics, shampoo and towels?

Maidamess · 20/03/2008 18:23

Buy your taps online....they are sooooo expensive instore. I saved £50 on a pair of (kitchen) taps, using an ebay shop. In gfatc I kitted out most of my bathroom online, except for loo and sink from Wickes.

CorrieDale · 20/03/2008 18:24

Get a mixer tap. I prefer the look of two taps, but my in laws have mixer taps and looks aside, a mixer is much better than the standard two tap option. Wish we'd done it ourselves now.

JingleyJen · 20/03/2008 18:40

Skirting boards.. do you want the ones you have? We thought we had specified but obviously not clearly enough as they replaced bits they cut through so we have a mix of beautiful new skirting and dodgy old painted 6 times skirting.

Make sure you have in writing EXACTLY what you are expecting from them down to the most annoying minute detail. (as you can tell from my tone we didn't and were often talking about 2 different things.

If the floor isn't level how are you expecting them to correct it?

Radiators.. do the new ones fit on the old pipework.

Source lots of the stuff yourself if you have time.. crosswater make lots of lovely taps that are sold as own brand taps for various stores you can buy them cheaper yourself.

matki make some beautiful showers and their customer services are brilliant.

utopia make some nice bathroom furniture that isn't too expensive

before finalising your layout make sure you have planned places for things like loo roll holder.. sadly we didn't and you have to double back to the wall behind you to get loo roll.. a literal pain in the neck

If you are anywhere near cambridge for to cambridge discount plumbing and speak to Jamie or Matthew they have been totally brilliant in helping us with our bathrooms.

Good lcuk!!

DANCESwithaMuffinTop · 20/03/2008 18:43

If you are near to the South East it might be worth a quick trip to France. I've read in loads of places that you can save a bundle on sanitary ware over there.

roisin · 20/03/2008 20:59

Thanks all.
We're not near Cambridge or in the SE. But I will do some looking online.

OP posts:
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