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Planning a bathroom
Whether you are thinking about planning a bathroom, or are just kicking off a bathroom renovation and want to make sure your project fulfils your vision – our complete guide is full of useful tips and advice that will help you on your way.
Remodelling a bathroom is an exciting project and for many renovators the moment they have been waiting for, when they wave goodbye to an out-dated bathroom suite and dated plumbing system and say hello to a fresh, sparkling, spa-worthy retreat.
But before you get carried away in the first bathroom showroom you walk into, take some time to plan the space properly, research all the options when it comes to bathroom layouts and fitting, and consider who will carry out the work for you. Remember, many building contractors can also help you with your bathroom design.
Whether you are thinking about planning a bathroom, or are just kicking off a bathroom renovation and want to make sure your project fulfils your vision – our complete guide is full of useful tips and advice that will help you on your way.
Remodelling a bathroom is an exciting project and for many renovators the moment they have been waiting for, when they wave goodbye to an out-dated bathroom suite and dated plumbing system and say hello to a fresh, sparkling, spa-worthy retreat.
But before you get carried away in the first bathroom showroom you walk into, take some time to plan the space properly, research all the options when it comes to bathroom layouts and fitting, and consider who will carry out the work for you. Remember, many building contractors can also help you with your bathroom design.
Installing a bathroom
There are several trades involved in bathroom fitting — a builder, a tiler, an electrician and a plumber. You might also need a plasterer or decorator. Some builders are able to carry out all the work required in the fitting of a bathroom. Alternatively, if you use a builder to oversee and project manage the bathroom installation, they can hire and co-ordinate the trades for you.
Your route should reflect several factors: including your budget, the level of your DIY skills, what kind of timescale you are working to, the amount of work likely to be involved in your bathroom installation and the type of bathroom fittings you have chosen.
There are several common scenarios where using a builder to manage your bathroom renovation is the right approach, including:
- Installing a brand new bathroom from scratch. This is very often the case with larger remodelling projects, where new bathrooms are being installed within an extension or where bathrooms are being created from rooms previously given over to another use.
- When party walls (walls shared between you and a neighbour) are liable to be affected.
- When internal walls need constructing or removing. This is especially the case when the walls are structural (load bearing).
- Where new fittings require the existing floors to be reinforced — a common issue when new, luxury baths are being installed.
- For the creation of a wet room, where structural calculations, waterproofing and drainage issues are commonly faced.
- When you have decided to source all fixtures and fittings from different suppliers rather than using an in-house supply- and-fit service from a bathroom specialist. A builder can run the project for you.
- Where building regulations (also known as building regs) approval or compliance is required.
- When opting for certain fixtures and fittings that require professional knowledge to fit, such as heavy, large format stone tile, or wall-hung sanitaryware.
- If you will struggle to project manage the bathroom fitting yourself (perhaps due to time constraints). Using a builder to manage the entire project means you have an expert to hand who can use their own team of trusted trades. Taking this option means most of the organisational work is left to someone else, plus many builders are skilled in all aspects of bathroom installation, including tiling, plumbing and electrics, so you won’t have to source trades separately.