Shower controls not under the shower head

[Citygirlrurallife]

We’re renovating. I am surrounded by men (DH, main contractor, all sub contractors) who roll their eyes at my various practical wishes but the bathroom we’re at loggerheads because they’re all doing the “we know better than you thing” so before I call them out I want to check if they’re actually right

1. i want a shaving niche, where I can rest my foot to shave my legs comfortably without doing the bloody balancing act of wedging my foot in the corner and it slipping etc. they all claim the niche will be filled with water and compromised but I think if it’s sealed properly it’s no different to higher up niches for shampoo etc?
2. I want to turn the controls on without getting soaked while waiting for the water to warm up. They (contractor, DH and plumber) all poo-pooed this idea with a load of “the pressure will be less, the water will cool down etc because the controls are too far from the shower head and main plumbing” but I literally had a shower in a hotel last week where the controls were further than I’m proposing and it was fine?!

who is right and can I make demands without regretting lack of water pressure further down the line?

Re the niche, my experience is that they're a nightmare to clean and depending on the material can get mouldy etc. that's just my experience!

Our shower button is next to where the shower comes down so you don't get wet when you turn it on 😂 also there is a delay with it of about 5 seconds (electric) so I turn it and then it's not running properly for quite a while anyway

Dunno about 1
But 2 - we have controls on the side away from the shower head and it's fine

They are just not wanting to do what you want. My new shower that will be installed shortly is a digital mixer and you can position the controls away from the shower and you can even buy a separate controller to turn it on from outside the shower.

I cannot see how you will lose pressure if you are doing a mixer shower with just a bit more pipework to the shower head. Did you tell them about the hotel? I do think some contractors only want to do what they always have. Could you ring another plumber for advice?

Have you considered a corner foot shelf/bar for being able to shave your legs rather than a niche? I thought with niches that they slightly angle the bottom tile so that it drains. You could always wipe it out with a dry flannel/cloth after each use. Are they tanking the shower area first?

I don't hire people if they treat me as lesser because I am female and that includes not taking that sort of shit from Dh but then we are literally installing the shower together, I will be doing the tiling though, we play to our strengths. We do a lot of DIY together, lay floors, decorate and instal bathrooms.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sanliv-Mounted-Shaving-Textured-Bathrooms/dp/B01N01V9JP?th=1

Number 2 deffo possible my mum had hers placed on the opposite wall for this reason. Number 2 sounds like a breeding ground for mould I would probably get a stool pr something that can be cleaned or binned. But once they’ve explained why they don’t normally do xyz they should just do as asked!

Deffo have the controls at the entrance to the shower, it's much better. And yes do get the bar linked to above or similar: good idea!

Our controls are on the opposite wall to the shower head

@Citygirlrurallife

look you mere woman stop being so difficult!!🤦🏻‍♀️

I wouldn't get a 'niche' I'd get a slightly tilted ledge. The difference between what you want & one higher up is that you'll have all the water/soap etc travelling down your leg into the 'niche', not just reaching in briefly to get the shampoo & it'll be more awkward to clean than a ledge.

why not just buy a shower with a second set of controls. Mine is just a simple on/off remote control. But given you can buy them that you can control from your bed, there are simple solutions.

These are both things I’ve been thinking about for redesigning my bathroom (currently at fantasy stage). Having controls under the shower head so you get an initial blast of cold water seems such bad design. Rather than a niche I want a little tiled seat/bench though.

Can’t help with your questions really but, if it helps, I’ve been looking at foot rests and think I’m going with either of the following

https://www.rubberduckbathrooms.co.uk/wedi-sanoasa-tileable-corner-seat-800-x-400-x-100mm

Definitely have the controls near the entrance to the shower. Ours are sited there and it's so practical. Why would it be a bad idea in your home but great for other people? The hot water from the hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard supplies our shower. It's a pressurised cylinder so the hot water is the same pressure as the cold supply.

Those niches do fill up with water. The water soon cools down in them so it's not a pleasant job to empty and dry one.

Brilliant, thanks for all replies - will sub niche for shelf and push for controls where I want them

Get a digital shower- you can turn it on via an app

I would be genuinely concerned about the competence of a plumber who thought 2. was a problem.

You're right on both points, but I would have a slight angle on the bottom of the niche so the water runs off.

I didn’t go for as I didn’t want to keep wiping it and 3 years later still pleased re decision. And my shower controls are under the shower and it’s fine, don’t get wet as they is a few seconds delay before water comes out. Think it looks better underneath the shower.