Bathrooms - help?!

[survivingspring]

We've finally saved up enough to get our bathroom replaced but I have no idea how to get started? Is it better to get a local fitter to buy the suite and fit or get the suite and then get a fitter or just use someone like B&Q to do the lot??

Please help with any experiences/suggestions etc. Sorry has probably been done lots of times before but I can't find a relevant thread

B&Q do a free design service, that may help. They can give you a quote for supply only (get your own fitter) or supply AND installation. The installation cost can be costly. The "pro" installation points would be that it's project managed, they can do tiling, plastering,plumbing, electrics usually within a good time scale and it's guaranteed for 5 years. The "con" would be the cost.

Or you could get a few quotes from fitters, go and choose the bath, sink etc then get the tradesman to buy it as he'll probably get it cheaper. Get a few quotes first though. Ask around. Word of mouth/personal recommendation is always good.

Thats very helpful - thanks Shakey. I will check out all those options! Just want it done quickly and hassle free as so many friends have bad stories about new bathrooms leaking/taking ages etc.

just a warning - B&Q use contractors - so you have no idea who you are going to get. We got cowboys, and spent the best part of 2 years having every single thing replaced at least once, including the tiles.

To be fair on B&Q, they got the work rectified as each little thing went wrong, but I'd rather have had it done properly in the first place

If I had to do it again, I would rather hire someone local that had been recommended to me.

We went to our local bathroom supplier, and asked if they could recommend any fitters. They gave us 3 names, we got quotes from all 3. 1 came out about one third cheaper (we think it was really about how busy they were), we went with him and were v happy. I wouldn't go for a big chain... for the reasons mentioned above.
Hope that helps,
madcows

Go and choose the sanitaryware and tiles you like and cost them for your budget. Then get the names of recommended fitters for installation costs. Plumbers' merchants are happy to recommend a few people plus usually good prices for ROCA/Ideal Standard sanitaryware.

Excellent advice - thanks all. I am going to ask around for some recommendations and I think there is a plumbers merchant somewhere near us. Sorry to hear about the problems you had lynniep - that's what we are trying to avoid even if there is the comeback on it being a big company!

Hi, don't normally post but as was bathroom related thought I would. I own a bathroom company so here's some advice I hope you find helpful:
If you are going with a 'bathroom company' who do supply and installation make sure the fitters are employed by them and NOT sub contractors as already advised. Don't buy cheap nasty stuff, however if you are on a budget spend more on taps and shower valves and then scrimp on the sanitary ware. Look at product warranties and fitter guarantees. Any company worth their salt should offer a minimum 5 year guarentee on all workmanship plus the product warranties. It's tiles that age a bathroom before anything else, especially borders so pick them carefully. There are pros and cons to both buying all the products yourself and then arranging for a plumber, tiler, electrician or getting one company to do the lot. If you're sorting everything yourself there's loads to think about - organising a skip, correct tile quantities, electrician, plumber, tiler, making sure your products not only fit but are suitable for your water and heating system etc etc. Start with an idea on what you have to spend and then go from there. Am happy to advise on manufacturers if you want. Good luck!

Plumbase is a good source for sanitaryware and taps especially if you want to source from one place to get a better deal. I've been all over the place looking at baths, etc (have 3 bathrooms/shower rooms to kit out so the likes of Laufen/Matki is out of the equation)and they are all starting to merge together..... My shower enclosure tip is that B&Q sell a 8mm thick glass shower enclosure which will be on sale (20%/25% off) this coming BH weekend which I've got my eye on here for the family bathroom which I think is a bargain!

Google the sanity ware company before buying, to see if there are any bad reviews first. I was almost swayed by the prices and good look of the stuff from Victoria Plumb, then googled, and they had atrocious reviews.

I would recommend using a bathroom co who can organise the fitting.
I project managed a new shower room, which admittedly had to be converted from a bedroom so involved some major plumbing/building work, but it was a real hassle.
For example, we had problems with the shower leaking, which was to do with the type of waste on the shower unit, which I couldn't have forseen. If we had gone through one supplier and fitter I dont think this would have happened.

What sort of style are you looking for?

Oh and myron that shower units looks great, cant believe the price...

Yeah - especially since it also includes the low profile shower tray plus the high flow rate waste!

My god thats a bargain even without the discount....
(now feeling guilty about the £££ Majestic unit and posh tray and waste which leaked....)

Panacotta - I am looking for a really plain white suite and as needs to last the long term (or appeal to buyers if we decide to sell at some point!). Dontstopbelieving - your advice about spending on the taps/valves etc is really useful. I think a simple style with good quality taps/shower fixture etc will be the way to go. I will google for reviews but like the look of quite a few of the suites on the Plumbase website..

We don't have room for a separate shower unfortunately as that shower unit is really nice and a good price too myron!

I got a bath with a wider space at the front than the rest of the bath so it is not too clausterphobic showering in the bath. Used a curved glass shower door to further help non clausterphobic effect.

What sort of shower bath are you after?
I think the square edged ones or even a plain but wide bath look much smarter than the P shaped baths.

I also like the look of concealed cisterns, and its much easier to clean a loo minus a cistern too.

We have the Laufen Pro with soft close seat, very easy to clean, no dust traps and no noisy lid.
www.ukbathrooms.com/shop/toilets/contemporary_toilet/products/laufen_pro_back_to_wall_wc_suite.html?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+Results&utm_medium=Product+Feed

Keeping the tiling simple will help broaden the appeal.

In terms of suppliers I have used plumbworld before for bathroom fittings/shower etc and they are good on price if you do decide to source things yourself.

I like that one Pannacotta. We have an 80's bathroom with a tiled shelf hiding the plumbing which it would be nice to get rid of. Would also give us more space as the bathroom is quite small. I like the idea of having a bath with a wider space for the shower anniewoo as in an ideal world a separate shower would be my preference!

I have done the rounds on the sanitaryware - too much choice hence my indecision. IMO, ROCA and Ideal Standard are very good quality/value for money brands as is RAK. Bristan taps are really good quality(I have bought and will be buying more of them) - Plumbase and no doubt other plumbers' merchants do have displays so you can touch & feel which is really important before you buy. They are really keenly priced and even beat internet prices.

If anyone is interested, I'm planning on buying travertine/travertine mosaics online here and plumping for a this shower which looks/feels great in RL]].