New Build / Part Exchange - No Shower in Main Bathroom?

HouseMoo

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick question and minor rant here: Do most new builds (specifically 4 bed detached houses) have half height tiling in the main bathroom and no built in shower, with the only shower being a unit in the en-suite?

I ask as I've been interested in a 4 bed detached in a new development in Berkshire which is off-plan and not due to complete until summer, I was interested and was progressing with their Part Exchange program (primarily due to the ease of moving), I was given a reasonable offer, and have been negotiating some details before accepting / reserving a plot.

The main problem is the bathroom. Because the development is progressing well the bathroom has already been tiled (half height) and they are not interested in quoting to upgrade to full height tiling with shower (which is one of their options), they have categorically said no they would not be able to make any changes to it now in its current stage of development. To me this sounds insane!

1. In this modern age where everyone is in a rush, baths are relaxing but showers are a practical necessity. I admit there is a full height shower in the main en-suite, but for guests / or me being able to enjoy the main bathroom it feels lacking.
2. Baths seem to be shrinking in new builds (or maybe its just this configuration of house), I'm very tall and there would be no way I could contort myself into any shape in those baths to be able to submerse myself.
3. This is really the only thing stopping me laying down a deposit and reserving the plot.

So am I mad in walking away just because of a lack of shower in the main bathroom?

I know there is always the option of going ahead and redoing the bathroom immediately after moving in, but to me this seems to negate one of the main point of buying a new build and would likely be far more costly. Anyway, was just wondering on peoples thoughts, or if anyones been in a similar situation etc. Thanks!

- HouseMoo :www:

motherofstudents

Well, I think I would expect a shower yes. I suppose the reason they don't want to go back and change it will be down to cost, they put them up quick and cheap so don't want to be fiddling around after they've finished. Whether you walk away depends on how much you like the house, how long you intend to stay etc. Is there any room for negotiation with the builders or is it a definite no? Can't tell you what to do, other than enter into further discussion with them, walk away, or put your own shower in !

G_M

Oh for goodness sake!

You want some extra tiling and a shower?

Buy. Move in. Stick up some tiles and get a shower!

Oli.s

Its common for the house bathroom in new builds to be bath only and have a walk in shower in the en suite. Just get in done afterwards, it will be miles cheaper than getting the building firm to do it anyway.

littlesparkles

I have just bought a new build 4 bed. There is an ensuite shower room and another bathroom - no shower. To add a shower & additional tiling would have been around £1k. Too much! Instead we paid about £50 to just have a bath shower mixer tap added onto the bath. So it's an 'emergency' shower that we can use if guests are staying in the room with the ensuite. Luckily our house allows for this because the main bedroom has the bathroom as ensuite rather than the shower ensuite.

If we have children then we will want a shower over the bath when they are old enough to shower independently but this is a long time away yet! By that time I'm sure we will be ready for a bathroom makeover anyway.

Mobeer

New builds I have seen don't have a shower in the bathroom if they have an ensuite.

jennifernil

DD has just moved into a new 4 bed house, The shell was built, but not fitted out when she reserved.

There are 2 en-suites with huge showers, plus a very large main bathroom with proper shower over the bath, and a shower screen. Also a ground floor cloakroom. There is half height tiling all round, plus full height round the bath and showers.

I would want there to be a shower of some type in the main bathroom.

All this was standard in the price, plus she could choose all the tiles, including adding more, paint colours, door handles, socket, radiator and cupboard positions, kitchen units and layout, plus order extra stuff to be fitted.

I thought the builders were very helpful and keen that the customer had as much choice as possible

littlesparkles

jennifernil wrote: »

DD has just moved into a new 4 bed house, The shell was built, but not fitted out when she reserved.

There are 2 en-suites with huge showers, plus a very large main bathroom with proper shower over the bath, and a shower screen. Also a ground floor cloakroom. There is half height tiling all round, plus full height round the bath and showers.

I would want there to be a shower of some type in the main bathroom.

All this was standard in the price, plus she could choose all the tiles, including adding more, paint colours, door handles, socket, radiator and cupboard positions, kitchen units and layout, plus order extra stuff to be fitted.

I thought the builders were very helpful and keen that the customer had as much choice as possible

Taylor Wimpey definitely did not allow that level of bathroom fitting or choice for my house!!! I purchased off-plan so I was able to make the most choices possible.

Jesnon

It is absolutely ridiculous and poorly thought out. i live in a two bed new build, ensuite shower but the main bathroom simply has a bath. Any guests have to use our ensuite and it would be unsuitable for anyone other than a couple. Seems very daft. New builds rarely seem to be built for actual living

caeler

This is normal in my experience but I can highly recommend getting the word done yourself. It won't be as expensive or as disruptive as you think it will be. Plus you get what you want. I also noticed in my bathroom that rather than using whole tiles, they cut the bottom ones in half which seems odd to me! Personally I'm not fussed about the shower in main bathroom but I am getting my kitchen improved with a few extra units etc.

googler

Mainstream new-builds with one ES and family bathroom tend only to have one electric shower because the installation of two would take the total rating for the house over the standard fuse and consumer unit spec. Standard main fuse is 60A, if I recall, and a couple of 9.5 or 10.5 kW showers running at the same time would exceed that

Went through all this when we wanted an extra electric shower put in, ended up with one driven from the combi.