Where to buy bathroom stuff?

khamps · 2022-05-18T20:49:44+00:00

We are getting our en-suite done and need to buy toilet, shower, sink etc but so overwhelmed with where to buy it, so many negative reviews from places like Wickes (which we have really local to us). We are on a semi budget but would rather spend a bit more for quality. Does anyone have any recommendation?

CorsicaDreaming · 18/05/2022 22:21

I did mine recently and got different bits from all over the place including:

Topps Tiles (shop)
Victoria Plumb (online)
Victoria Plumbing (online)
City Plumbing (Travis Perkins plumbing arm) - you need to be good at bargaining to get their prices down though, as the brochure prices are high, but they seemed open to a haggle in the showroom

Best Heating (online) for a v chunky towel rail and radiators.

A Mira shower bought online from another place, can't remember off top of head, but can find out if you're interested

Fired Earth in 20% off sale for a small area of fab but pricey tiles

Fired Earth for four tiles as splash backs for three different basins. It looks fab for a small area, but would be a second mortgage job to do a full wall (and a bit overwhelming). They will send four tiles as samples P&P free which works well for small amounts

Original poster

khamps · 19/05/2022 09:11

@CorsicaDreaming that's so helpful thank you, fired earth looks amazing I would love some tiles from there in our kitchen.
I think a trip to tops tiles is in order this weekend!

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AwkwardPaws27 · 19/05/2022 09:59

I wouldn't use Victoria Plumb (family & our builders experiences!).
Victorian Plumbing were OK for part of our suite, but slow to deliver & kept delaying without letting us know. They did replace a dodgy radiator valve without a fuss though.
The customer service from Drench was far better & we'll be ordering from them again in a month or so for our other bathroom.

You need to look at the ranges too though - I got Hudson Reed taps & shower last time, this time I'll be prioritising slightly better quality (Burlington / Crosswater). The HR stuff is pretty decent but I keep finding bits need tightening, second shower head holder keeps sliding down... minor annoyances but I think anything with moving parts will get higher priority this time round!

BonnyandPoppy · 19/05/2022 10:05

We used Victoria Plum for fittings and had no problems with them and the stuff is holding up well to use (now had about three years). I bought a few expensive tiles as well for a splashback and we used showerwall shower boards for the walls of the shower (got online from Rubberduck.co.uk). Got radiator from Screwfix and Grohe shower from another online supplier who I can't remember the name of. Only thing I would change is to use different shower boards as the ones we used aren't solid plastic and would swell if water got in them. There are some which are completely waterproof all the way through.

PraiseBee · 19/05/2022 10:39

Used same companies in pp. My main advice is to check items immediately on delivery. Had several items delivered with chips and scratches from different companies. Cannot recommend doing this enough!!!!

PigletJohn · 19/05/2022 11:07

Plumbworld

Tip:
If you are not in a hurry, put "clearance" in the search and have a browse.

Regardless of supplier, I recommend Bristan taps, Aqualisa round mixers, Pegler ball valves, McAlpine wastes

Don't get pop-up plugs, they will leak. Clackers are OK.

Original poster

khamps · 19/05/2022 12:21

AwkwardPaws27 · 19/05/2022 09:59

I wouldn't use Victoria Plumb (family & our builders experiences!).
Victorian Plumbing were OK for part of our suite, but slow to deliver & kept delaying without letting us know. They did replace a dodgy radiator valve without a fuss though.
The customer service from Drench was far better & we'll be ordering from them again in a month or so for our other bathroom.

You need to look at the ranges too though - I got Hudson Reed taps & shower last time, this time I'll be prioritising slightly better quality (Burlington / Crosswater). The HR stuff is pretty decent but I keep finding bits need tightening, second shower head holder keeps sliding down... minor annoyances but I think anything with moving parts will get higher priority this time round!

I had never heard of French but they look good, thanks for the feedback on Victoria plumb vs Victoria plumbing...I knew one wasn't great but could never remember which one!

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Original poster

khamps · 19/05/2022 12:23

BonnyandPoppy · 19/05/2022 10:05

We used Victoria Plum for fittings and had no problems with them and the stuff is holding up well to use (now had about three years). I bought a few expensive tiles as well for a splashback and we used showerwall shower boards for the walls of the shower (got online from Rubberduck.co.uk). Got radiator from Screwfix and Grohe shower from another online supplier who I can't remember the name of. Only thing I would change is to use different shower boards as the ones we used aren't solid plastic and would swell if water got in them. There are some which are completely waterproof all the way through.

Rubber duck look great too and another I hadn't heard of. We have been considering shower panels as it seems easier so thanks for the feedback on those.

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Original poster

khamps · 19/05/2022 12:23

PraiseBee · 19/05/2022 10:39

Used same companies in pp. My main advice is to check items immediately on delivery. Had several items delivered with chips and scratches from different companies. Cannot recommend doing this enough!!!!

That's such helpful advice, my fear is the plumber getting here and things being broken!

OP posts:

Original poster

khamps · 19/05/2022 12:24

PigletJohn · 19/05/2022 11:07

Plumbworld

Tip:
If you are not in a hurry, put "clearance" in the search and have a browse.

Regardless of supplier, I recommend Bristan taps, Aqualisa round mixers, Pegler ball valves, McAlpine wastes

Don't get pop-up plugs, they will leak. Clackers are OK.

Thanks for the recommendations, will definitely look at those.

OP posts:

CorsicaDreaming · 19/05/2022 12:39

Yes I've also bought from Rubber Duck and they were good (but I have a feeling they were an individual company up north and have now been taken over by one of the big warehouses- not 100% sure). I collected parts over 9months last year so its been a while.

Roca good for toilets and basins
Mira for showers

Wedi board behind tiling in shower to ensure waterproof (we were changing it due to a very leaky shower, so I was keen to make the waterproofing as bomb proof as possible in the new one)
We actually kept the original Roca Basin and wc and changed the shower and bath. If it's all white, and some bits are still good, you don't necessarily need new (or same make) throughput imo