Fitting a bathroom - how much?

hitatotatus

As title really.
Looking at buying a basic 3 piece and wondered how much to budget for fitting this.
I rent - is it reasonable to ask the landlord to help with the bill for fitting if I am paying for the suite, do you think?

macman

If it's a rental property, then surely you will need the landlord's permission to do the work anyway?
Fitting costs can vary enormously depending on the work involved, is is just a straight swap or is there additional plumbing work to reroute supplies/waste, is there electrcal work needed, is there new tiling involved, etc etc?

LandyAndy

A straight 'like for like' replacement about 6 years ago cost me about £200 for the plumber.

hitatotatus

I intend to get permission from the landlord and will confirm this in writing. He is quite hands-off though, and has not objected to me decorating the bedrooms and living room.
I am willing to pay for and organise all the decoration side of the bathroom, inc. tiling and painting, but see the plumbing as being a extra possibly large cost that I would like to avoid if poss, otherwise propbably won't be able to afford to do it at all.
I have asked the agent to mention it to him and am awaiting a call.
Meantime, for my own information I wondered what the bill would be as, as you mention, it could vary hugely. I suppose I would have to get specific quotes really - but wondered if someone could give me a ballpark figure.

Ebe_Scrooge

As above. Assuming your landlord gives the OK, and assuming it should be you paying for it rather than the landlord - then the age-old advice of "get 3 quotes from plumbers that are recommended by friends / neighbours" stands firm.

If it's a straight swap of bath, sink & toilet, you're looking at a day's work tops. I've done this myself a couple of times over the years, a pretty simple DIY job for anyone with very basic plumbing experience.

If you're moving stuff around, that's a bit more involved, but still not difficult, just more time-consuming. You'll also have to think about the "making good" - re-tiling, re-flooring, whatever, if things are moving around.

If you're moving electrics ( showers, etc.), then you've got to factor in a sparky's costs.

LandyAndy

hitatotatus wrote: »

I intend to get permission from the landlord and will confirm this in writing. He is quite hands-off though, and has not objected to me decorating the bedrooms and living room.
I am willing to pay for and organise all the decoration side of the bathroom, inc. tiling and painting, but see the plumbing as being a extra possibly large cost that I would like to avoid if poss, otherwise propbably won't be able to afford to do it at all.
I have asked the agent to mention it to him and am awaiting a call.
Meantime, for my own information I wondered what the bill would be as, as you mention, it could vary hugely. I suppose I would have to get specific quotes really - but wondered if someone could give me a ballpark figure.

Tiling was the most expensive part, by quite a long way.

macman

It's impossible without knowing the scope of the work required.
But I can't see why you want to do this, as the landlord will be laughing all the way to the bank if he kicks you out after 6m, and can then hike the rent as a result of you financing a smart new bathroom.
The plumbing is only a major cost if the services have to be moved, otherwise it's just a matter of reconnecting the new units.

hitatotatus

Thanks everyone.
I need to do this as, a little while ago, a pot of face cream fell out of my cabinet and broke a largish piece of the toilet (inside around the rim, so not integral to its function). It is in a strange colour, sort of cream with a greenish tinge, and I cannot match it. So, I figure I would have to make good with either money from my deposit or with a new suite at the end of my tenancy.
As the whole bathroom is pretty grotty and dated anyway, I may as well sort it out now and get the benefit of a new bathroom.

I have access to family who is an electrician and my sis is a wizz at tiling. I will just be putting everything as it was, no moving around of the suite.

Ebe_Scrooge

Hmm, I see where you're coming from, but it's a shame that ultimately your landlord will benefit from a new bathroom suite at your expense.

Have you tried contacting the manufacturer directly, to see if they can supply a replacement toilet in the correct colour. It's likely that the colour has been discontinued, but they may just be able to get a replacement for you. This will be a whole lot cheaper than a complete new suite. Got to be worth a phone call, I would have thought ?

pmlindyloo

Just a couple of thoughts. If the suite is 'old and grotty' you should not be expected to fund the cost of a new suite when you move out - this would be classed as betterment - but pay something towards it.

Also, not sure here, but wouldn't this 'accident' be covered by insurance? Not sure if we're talking contents (yours? landlords? or is this covered by house insurance? (landlords)

Hope someone more knowledgeable will be able to help with the insurance question, just thought it should be considered.


Definitely think carefully about doing this at your own expense. I understand you will enjoy the benefits short term, but really, how secure, and for how long, are you as regards the tenancy?

Best option, in my humble opinion, if you can't get help with costs through insurance, or it isn't worth it because of the excess or increased premiums, then financial help from the landlord would be the next best thing.

To be absolutely honest, you are paying rent already and to 'gift' your landlord in this way makes no sense whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (How very MSE)

hitatotatus

Thanks pmlindyloo.
You do raise some very pertinent points and these have gone though my mind, however, I really like the place I am in location-wise and don't want to be a 'bother' to the lld in case he may consider me a pain.
In 2006 I was on a yearly contact with a 6 month break and now on a continuous month-to-month, and it does panic me occassionally that I am in a vulnerable position regarding tenancy, however, I still want to try to make it as nice as poss for me and my boys.