New bathroom - Ideas and Advice

[newjobblewobble]

I have someone coming out to quote me for a full bathroom refit next week. Small bathroom, (small flat), no windows, used by me and DS12.

Any advice you can give would be appreciated. We only plan to stay here another maybe 2/3 years, so don't want (and can't afford!) to go OTT, but the current bathroom is horrendous, and i'd like it to really nice without being clinically white and I see any works done as an investment.

I've 95% settled on either of the tiles below, for round the bath, full height, but don't want to tile the whole room. I also have a recessed bit at the end of the bath, which i'd like to shelve like below with oak style shelves and then floor it in a similar oak style. But I want the suite to be quite modern, clean lines.

Do you think that style is okay, or should I keep it more neutral if I plan to sell in 3 or less years?

Are bar showers available in electric? I want electric so I know the shower still works if the boiler packs up (many a boiler issue previously!)

Just in terms of cost, my sister spent 4.5k on both her bathrooms (one was tiny, but included those panel things someone mentioned upthread). That included all the fixtures/ fittings and labour, floor etc. However, I think people overcharge massively on bathrooms when a lot of the work is basic diy - removing tiles, plastering, putting new tiles on so you can use an odd job man who is good at diy for most and then get a plumber in for the essential bits. I think this is a much cheaper way than those who do the whole bathroom and charge plumber prices for putting a bit of silicone round the bath.

A good plumber will advise on what kind of shower etc. and also at what point in the process he needs to come in and do his work.

We've had

Builder - remove all the fixtures
Fitted the sink and toilet bath
Plumber reworked the pipes for new taps, halfway down the bath
Fixture for shower
Builder plaster boarded the walls
Tiler
Plumber connect all pipes
Builder fit shower screen panel and plaster and electrical to finish

We have a spare bathroom so are ok to wait but depends if you need them to do it in a week

It's the only bathroom, so needs to be done as quickly as possible. If I have to compromise to keep costs down, so be it. I can't justify more than 4K, considering the overall value of the property. £3k would be preference and put the rest towards something else. Not keen on wet wall though. Don't think I can compromise there.

Ask for 2 quotes - one where you purchase the fittings - one where they provide them (they should save you VAT but they may charge you extra for your own fittings)

3K should be enough. If it isn't, ask questions.