updating bathroom, replacing suite, tiling etc

want2bmortgage3

any advice on the best place to get a cheap white suite? I just want a basic one with the option of upgrading the taps.

i have plently of places near me, diy shops like focus, homebase, b and q, wickes. trade places like screwfix, plumb center, bathstore.

i just want the cheapest which wont have any design defects or poor quality fittings.

want2bmortgage3

ooh while i'm at it, what about buying tiles, DIY store or tile specialist like topps tiles??????

relating to the tiles - i'm removing all the wall tiles (it was fully tiled), can I re-tile the area i want, then get plasterer to skim the remaining area? or is it best to have it all skimmed and tile on top? appreciate any replies about that!

coolagarry

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

ooh while i'm at it, what about buying tiles, DIY store or tile specialist like topps tiles??????!

Neither if you can possibly avoid it. We normally use Topps but have needed tiles recently and compared their prices with two tile warehouse places that have opened up. The prices and range at the warehouses were so much better. Look in your freebie newspaper for tile outlets and give them a try!

want2bmortgage3

Anyone seen any bargain prices for a white suite ? preferably acrylic bath instead of steel ?

botchjob

I've just updated our bathroom and so long as you're not moving any of the plumbing - and are of a reasonably handy disposition - plumbing in a new suite shouldn't be too much of a problem. Plenty of advice available online. You might take a look at www.plumbworld.co.uk for some good value suites, etc. As with anything, you get what you pay for and a 'bargain' suite might end up just feeling 'cheap'.

As for tiling, we went for big white tiles to go with the white suite and then added some colour with towels, blinds, bathmat, etc. Get your plaster to skim the whole area before tiling.

As it's not a huge bathroom you could also add some interest by splashing out on some more expensive/interesting floor tiles. And I'd definitely chase in the pipework for the shower, as well as boxing in the mess of pipes behind the sink and loo.

want2bmortgage3

thanks for the plumbworld link, the cheapest one is 180 + 35 delivery. same as wickes cheap one (antartic) but i could collect that. the only places i can think that i havent checked yet is plumb center and focus diy. i tried b and q but they seem to disorganised and confusing to find anything in there. screwfix one is steel which i dont fancy as i think it feels cold and is heavier.

Bungarm2001

Keep looking on Ebay for genuine private sales of used bathroom suites. We picked one up for £90 complete with very nice taps, shower door, waste etc The taps alone if bought separately were worth the money. The suite was made by Heritage and in perfect nick apart from one small scratch on the side panel.