Appealing to buyers - ensuite bathroom

Amanita_2

Can I have some opinions please?

I need to tackle my ensuite bathroom which needs a revamp. The problem is that the existing suite is genuine Victorian ( cast iron “thunderer” loo, small roll top bath with feet etc). It is not original to the property but is very in keeping with the age and style ( an 1802 stone cottage). It is very pretty.


The two other bathrooms are modern, one very much so. The second one has a modern suite with a “cottagey” feel.

Do I renovate it or rip it out and replace with a modern bathroom suite? We will be looking to sell in maybe 5 years so I need to be thinking about future buyers rather than my own personal taste here.

tyllwyd

Could you maybe post a picture of the bathroom - and if you are happy to, maybe a picture of the front of the house to put it into context.

My initial response would be that it would be a shame to lose it if it is pretty and in keeping with the rest of the house.

jonewer

tyllwyd wrote: »

My initial response would be that it would be a shame to lose it if it is pretty and in keeping with the rest of the house.

I'll second that

poppysarah

Keep it.

Think of the environmental impact of changing a bathroom for no good reason.

BitterAndTwisted

I can't think of a single thing wrong with a Victorian-style ensuite in an old stone cottage. It sounds lovely.

Amanita_2

poppysarah wrote: »

Keep it.

Think of the environmental impact of changing a bathroom for no good reason.

OK I can take some pics tonight and post. I have some exterior shots but none of the bathroom.

Environmentally speaking it is a difficult call - the toilet is a lost cause. It uses gallons with each flush. It seems to need the weight of water to flush so adding a brick didn't work. Fortunately we are not metered -yet.

The bath really needs re enamelling which requires use of some unpleasant chemicals and I expect there is a lot of lead in the paint on the toilet cistern and the wrought iron work of the basin which will be released into the environment when it is stripped.

If we do rip it it does have considerable resale value so it will be reused somewhere rather than ending up in landfill.

poppysarah

Amanita wrote: »

OK I can take some pics tonight and post. I have some exterior shots but none of the bathroom.

Environmentally speaking it is a difficult call -

If we do rip it it does have considerable resale value so it will be reused somewhere rather than ending up in landfill.

But you'll be buying a horrible new one.

Unless you spend money carefully you'll put a really low quality one instead.

You're not water metered yet and won't be unless you decide to be.
How much do you use the ensuite during the day?

carefullycautious

Do you really need this bathroom as you have 2 others. I would love a dressing room and this sounds ideal. Sorry not much help as I would hate to clean 3 bahrooms.

BitterAndTwisted

Not everything that's old is perfect and that's all part of the charm. Still, I agree: it must be a ruddy big "cottage" to need three bathrooms!

flora48

If you like it keep it, after all you seem to be planning on using it for the next 5 years. There is no telling what a potential purchaser might prefer.

Geenie

Amanita wrote: »

OK I can take some pics tonight and post. I have some exterior shots but none of the bathroom.

Environmentally speaking it is a difficult call - the toilet is a lost cause. It uses gallons with each flush. It seems to need the weight of water to flush so adding a brick didn't work. Fortunately we are not metered -yet.

The bath really needs re enamelling which requires use of some unpleasant chemicals and I expect there is a lot of lead in the paint on the toilet cistern and the wrought iron work of the basin which will be released into the environment when it is stripped.

If we do rip it it does have considerable resale value so it will be reused somewhere rather than ending up in landfill.

Can I say that one of the properties we let has a bathroom just like yours from what is described. We had the bath re enamelled last year and yes it was smelly, and the place was empty at the time, but the result was amazing! The guy spent 2 days putting on the layers, did a tremendous job and the cost was about £120..... check out the price of a new claw footed bath!!!:eek:

We painted the outside black, put in sympathetic flooring, and along with the old metal toilet cistern, it was a major draw when showing people around. They all loved it, much more then the modern bathroom at the other end of the house.

It is easy to get caught up in the B&Q mania, and think you need a bathroom with modern stuff, those buff wall tiles that everyone has now and nothing original. Think of decking, laminate flooring as the horror story it became, and then look at those who have maintained a more sympathetic house and different from the rest. They sell much better and at higher prices around where I live.


Good luck OP.