New Bathroom Refit ~ W. Yorks

donna375

Hi there,

I've been reading about bathroom and kitchen advice on here and need some help if possible. I was thinking about organising Cooke & Lewis (B&Q by another name, right?) to do both but after reading so many threads here about them I have decided I need to find an Independent fitter. The only problem is that even with hubby asking at work we seem to be getting zero recommendations. Everyone either rents, has done the work themselves or has been ripped off. The other issue is that I am having to get help to finance this from family, so being ripped off would be devastating.

Doing the work ourselves isn't an option. Hubby works in a hospital and we only have one bathroom. I can't see us learning quickly how to do it all and getting a finish that will last. I am accounting for a good 9 days of work reading here that it takes time for the plaster to cure upon repairing walls after tile removal. God knows what we will do during this time for sanitation?

Also do I try to source materials through the Independent tradesman or do I do that myself? I’d read that they usually know where to find the best deals on bathroom suites and taps but that tiles may be better sourced yourself? I don’t even know what are good products to use? Any suggestions would be really appreciated please. This whole thing has stressed me out for the last three years already.

We’re in the Leeds, West Yorks area.

The bathroom measures 2 metres 7cm x 1 metre 72cm so there’s no room for changing the layout. It’d be a straight swap out I would have thought. It’s a 12 year old bathroom fitted when the house was built.

• Remove existing bath, sink, toilet and radiator
• Remove all existing wall tiles back to plaster work

• Install new bath with shower over (currently we have a seprate tank for the shower in the loft, not a power shower)
• Install new pedestal sink
• Install new toilet
• Install new towel radiator
• Install lino floor tiles
• Install wall tiles to entire bath area and just under half of remaining walls
• Install new taps etc as needed

Hubby will probably be able to help with the labour, whatever we can help with we will try. We’ll paint the walls too after the bathroom has been fitted.

Any advice that anyone has to offer would really be gratefully received.

Cheers.

storm_6000

Usually the best deals on anything are found online.

Bella Bathrooms do alot of nice and fair competitive prices on bathroom sanitaryware. You should find them if you search Bella Bathrooms

For Tower Radiators I reccomend a company fairly local to me called Plumbing World they have some competetive prices on Chrome Towel Rails. You should find them if you search Plumbing World Midlands

sleepy

I'm trying to find a bathroom fitter in Leeds too. I've not had much luck, so can't reccomend anyone yet. Loads have come to quote and then not provided a quote. One gave a price half the price of everyone else (we nicknamed him dodgy Tom - he didn't notice quite a few potential problems with our very old house), another firm quoted almost twice as much as anyone else. We picked a firm we liked, who were in the middle of the quotes, arranged a start date and arranged for the new bathroom to be delivered. Two days before the date they were supposed to start they let us down (didn't even give an excuse, just said they couldn't do it anymore), so we now have an entire new bathroom suite, tiles, etc sitting in our spare bedroom!

donna375

This is what I am trying to avoid but it seems like there is no sure way to find good tradespeople to do a job. It's really crazy, I've asked so many people about this and the words hitting, head, brick wall and against spring to mind.

Really not sure what to do, started the hunt for materials from trawling all the threads on here and have requested samples. I guess I'll just have to do that and keep everyone on here posted as to how we go.

I hope you get there too sleepy with your bathroom! If I get anywhere I will be sure to post here.

sleepy

I'll keep it updated too if I find anyone. So far, we've had 8 different firms out, of which only 5 have bothered to quote, all with problems. We're about to contact some more so fingers crossed, we'll get there!

Forgetful

well today we started our trek to b&q and focus...in the hope of starting our half diy bathroom...
we are going to buy all the materials needed including new bath, washbasin and toilet.
just a straight swop..cos only small bathroom.
we were gonna get some one to remove the washbasin, bath and toilet... we then do our own tiling on walls and floors then get the plumber in to fit back the new equipment!!
does this sound moneysaving??
then how much will the plumber be charging??? then where do we find this trustworthy reliable plumber in Manchester?????????