Quality bathroom fittings supplier?

[Sleeptillnoon]

Hi, we are in the process of speccing out a new house, and are getting completely overwhelmed by the choice of bathroom fittings. There are a zillion suppliers on the the market and it's really hard to tell the difference between them, especially when most are online. It's going to be our forever home, so we're looking for something that looks and feels good quality.

Does anyone have any experience of a good supplier? We're looking for sanitary ware, taps, shower etc, plus vanity units. I'm happy to buy from a showroom or online, but don't have time to schlep around! I'm in the Leeds/Manchester area.

Thanks in advance!

We’ve replaced about 10 bathrooms over the year. We always go with Ideal Standard as a sanitary manufacturer, the look to who is the cheapest supplier.

Years* were not that busy!

It is all a learning process.

I’d been going round in circles looking online before reading good advice from MN to use a local supplier. We visited a few and picked a small business who’d been around for a while, had a trade counter, didn’t rush us, and did the quality brands, including Ideal Standard, Matki, Roca, Roper Rhodes and suchlike.

We didn’t want to be dealing with a salesman.

First appointment we were pretty clueless but he listened to what we wanted, gave some practical advice followed by a complete list with pricing, together with the catalogues referring to the items he’d listed. We borrowed samples for colours and finishes. We could then mull over each item and go back with changes and questions. The small showroom was always busy.

We found his prices were better than online and about half of those quoted in the glossy catalogues. I expect any decent and established local supplier will be the same.

Good luck.

Burlington if you like quite classic design or Lusso stone if you prefer more modern. If you are able to splash the cash then Drummonds or catchpole & rye

Thanks all, you've given me a great start here, much appreciated!

We have a Crosswater thermostatic shower valve, sliding crosswater shower door, Catalano double basin, Hans Grohe taps and a Duravit toilet on a Geberit frame.

We’re very pleased with all of them - got them all from the Bathroom Discount Centre who offer a 30% discount - not sure if they deliver to your area.

Just don't buy from QS Supplies. I spent 3k with them in September and only got 1/3 of my order. No refund either. Customer service under zero. The stuff f nightmares.

Bristan taps and wastes are very good

Aqualisa round-knob showers are very good

Twyfords make good blogs

Carron make good baths (the reinforced ones)

Chromed brass is the only durable material for bathroom fittjngs.

Plumbworld have some good prices

Retailers will generally sell you cheap or expensive depending what you want to pay.

Don't get pop-up wastes.

Don't get a cistern hidden in the wall.

@PigletJohn

When you say hidden in the wall... does this include the wall hung pans with the large flush buttons which give access?

Any other comments on QS most welcome as I'm being encouraged with their catalogue

I mean, when it goes wrong, can you get your head, both hands, and a spanner in it without dismantling the case or breaking tiles or calling a plumber.

Just to add, beware not all whites are the same shade, so if you go for a bath that’s a different manufacturer from your basin or toilet the whites might not match.

I agree with a comment above about using a local supplier that has links with a variety of brands. As you say, the choice can be overwhelming.

After an initial appointment where we discussed our requirements and looked at their displays, we had another with a very knowledgable salesman who talked us through of all our options and put together our order.

Everything arrived as scheduled and only the tap turned out to be in suitable for our water pressure but that was easily exchanged.

Good luck!

@PigletJohn

I mean, when it goes wrong, can you get your head, both hands, and a spanner in it without dismantling the case or breaking tiles or calling a plumber.

Unless you have Geberit which has been properly fitted according to my plumber😉. We have left the top easily accessible just in case though.