Cloakroom renovation: Impossible to get what I want

[FixerAndUpper]

Sorry that this is going to be a bit of rant, but really fed up with the process of getting a cloakroom renovated.

Essentially I have struggled to find any fitters who are interested in doing a small job. I've found some, but I'm now running into problems with "geezer" fitters telling me what I want.

One owns a bricks and mortal bathroom store, and (this is strange) keeps trying to get me to have the cheapest furniture going, I've basically said all the items I want, the theme, colours etc, and then I get a grimace and a "you don't want that, you this". I wanted the toilet boxed in and tiled over (with a counter so that there can be access), but the solution given to me is a fitted WC furniture unit and then cut bath panels on either side, all using the cheapest furniture available!

I've had design consultations at Homebase and Victoria Plumb (before they went bust and rescued), and faced with other men with no concept of colour combinations etc, basically telling me what I want.

No doubt people will accuse me of being sexist, but I got rather tired of this men who keep telling me what I should have, and I find it rather strange that one is loathed to let me select more higher-end products!

Is it actually possible to be able to get what you want in bathrooms or do these designers/fitters act as gatekeepers?

I so hear you. Three times now I’ve been asked to say exactly what I want in a new kitchen, which I do, and then I’ve been told in detail how and why I can’t have it but THIS is what I can have. Which is what they want me to have. This was in 3 separate houses, two were from kitchen install businesses but one was a friend! I mean why even ask!

Sadly it's not just because you are a woman. We had this with cloakroom work to both of us. They built a frame and tiled in the cistern so there is no access if there are any issues. They don't want to build access to these things. I wish I'd chosen a normal toilet rather than go down the route we did because it's going to be very expensive if it ever breaks.

I've had this a lot, having done a full renovation of my current home, and I'm sure that being a lone female is a factor. I've learned to stand my ground and the contractors have come round in the end. If you have done your research and know what you want, then you just have to insist or find someone else. (The exception would be if there is some genuine technical reason that makes your idea unworkable.)

Latest example of this is a well known blind supplier / fitter telling me I can't have a venetian blind in my bathroom because the bath is in the way and the tiles can't be drilled into, which I know is bonkers. I've got a whole list of them...

I can see issues with the boxing in of the toilet, although hoping that if you have a counter on top instead of that being tiled, access should be easier (with some removing of sealant).

But even requesting a certain radiator or vanity unit and the response has been "you want something else" and then what has been suggested is a completely different colour, which then affects the colour of the tiles and flooring!

Hi OP, with my bathroom I just went online and bought what I wanted (having measured carefully a few times to ensure it would all fit).

Wanted an unusual bath, slightly unusual shower size, wall hung vanity etc.

Once it had all been purchased I showed the links and my drawings to a couple of installers to get quotes for fitting.

If you're confident in what you want don't out-source the decision to someone else! Just get the stuff ordered and then book an installer...

Best of luck!

Oh god I get this all of the time. “You don’t want that, you want this” usually down to incompetence or laziness, never any justifiable reason. They just cba to put in the bit of effort necessary to lift it from above bog standard to something actually aesthetically pleasant and functional.