Ensuite or just wc/basin?

pollyzanna

My hubby and I live in a lovely 4 bedroom house. The main bedroom has a lovely ensuite. And there is a family bathroom upstairs.

The second bedroom (which we actually sleep in because it has the nicest views and gets the morning sun) has the potential for an ensuite - it had a massive built-in wardrobe but we have loads of wardrobes so don't use it. Next to this bedroom is a "shower room" although it's almost literally just a shower and drying-off area which is accessed off the landing.

So, we could knock through to make an ensuite for the second bedroom - the complication being that it is a supporting wall and therefore would need an RSJ.

Or, we could use the wardrobe space for a toilet and basin and keep the shower as is. (The space is ~600mm deep so plenty wide enough for a toilet without being too squashed in that respect)

I know there are other options (keep as wardrobe, just put basin in, take wardrobe out for bigger bedroom) but the two options detailed above are the ones we are focussing on at the moment.

What you do you think?!

Oldsoak

Depends on your budget or what you want to spend. Don't know the sizes of wardrobe and shower room but I would budget £1k for building and rsj. then depending on where the nearest soil stack is - £3-4k to convert and tile (excluding materials and suite). So budget £7-8k for whole job depending on the cost of the suite.
Good luck if you do it and remember to get at least three written quotes.

Oldsoak

Forgot to say that labour prices will be higher in the South of the country, so if you live there you can easily budget £10k.

pollyzanna

thanks oldsoak, we're in the north west so hopefully prices shouldn't be too exorbitant!

We have the money it's more if it's worth the hassle of all the extra structural work!!! (to make a full ensuite)

rustyboy21

It shouldn't be anywhere near the prices quoted above. I had 2 bathrooms done by a friend of mine, who also runs a fireplace showroom , but he does everything, kitchens( Did mine) bathrooms, CH, he took my old chimney stack down and re slated my roof for me. Lovely guy and not high pressure.


He is based in Bury. If you want his details let me know, he has a lovely showroom, with lots of displays and gets tiles imported exclusive to him.

C_Mababejive

Im not a great fan of en suites. I think they are chavvy. I mean, in the average house, how far is it to walk to a real bathroom?

Avoriaz

I don't think ensuites are chavvy but I am not a particular fan of them unless you have children or more than one couple living in the house.

We are childless and we moved three years ago into a 4 bed house with an ensuite with bath, basin, toilet and shower cubicle to the master bedroom which is at the front of the house. There is also a family bathroom at the rear of the house with bath, basin and toilet.

We only use the ensuite during daytime. At night, or if one of us is still in bed, we will use the family bathroom to avoid noise disturbing the other.

If you have children, or regularly have overnight guests, then ensuites can be very useful.

Otherwise, think carefully before spending a lot of money on something you might or might not appreciate having.

penguingirl

We are another childless couple who don't use our ensuite. We're looking at other houses at the moment and ensuite isn't even on the priority list at all.

Ben84

Would you actually need it at times when the other two are in use? If not, it's an expensive way to save a short walk! A study/work room might be more useful and desirable. Assuming you can put a window in?

Nada666

Listening to the other half splutter and spurt and whatever in an echoey chamber a couple of feet away whilst I'm lying in bed really gets me in the mood. And trying to avoid vice versa ditto.

You already have two toilets/bathrooms and a shower. You really want a third?