Confused about Plumbers advice on mixer taps and shower panels.

ripplyuk

I called a local maintenance man out to quote for the bathroom. He was advertised under 'Plumbers' but said he just does everything. I want the old taps changed to a shower mixer and some shower panels put up instead of the old tiles, measuring 175cmhigh. The longer wall 161cm wide and the smaller wall above the taps is 66cm wide.

He said the shower panels are seriously expensive and suggested that I just tile the whole thing instead. I've been trying to find prices online but can't seem to find much, or the size I need. Could anyone tell me roughly what it would cost? It's such a small area that I didn't think it would be expensive.

He also said my bath taps are a very unusual size and I'd need to find a specialist supplier online. He said to ask for 180mm which he said would be difficult as most bath taps are a standard width of 150mm.

I measured them myself after and they are 185mm from centre to centre. Also, from googling, it seems most taps are not 150mm but more like 180mm.

I'd appreciate any advice about what would be best to do, or if it would be possible to fit a mixer tap at all. It's a gravity fed system but the pressure seems very good. Also, I'd prefer the shower panels instead of tiles for ease of cleaning but not if it will cost a fortune.

southcoastrgi

link here to some panels £100+ per panel

a shower valve is normally 150mm centres but bath taps arent, any bath shower mixer will fit your bath, one with a built in thermostatic shower valve would be best

Norman_Castle

I've got a thermostatic mixer tap, the bath hole centres are about 180mm but the centres at the top to fit the tap to the angled legs is 150mm.

Not recommending this particular one although it looks ok, the pictures and description gives more detail.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CHROME-DECK-MOUNTED-THERMOSTATIC-BATH-SHOWER-MIXER-TAP-TAPS-1-4-TURN-057D-/200750279180

DaftyDuck

You called "a".

Therein lies your problem. Call another "a". Then maybe two more "a". One will say "mmm, 's'gonna cost...ssmm". One will not turn up. With luck, the third will either produce a catalogue, and say "like them, or them ones?" and you will have found the bloke for the job. He may even wander to the van, show you something, or tell you to look in B & Q, choose what you like, and he will then find similar, but cheaper and better quality. He will accept you'd prefer panels. If he doesn't, try another "a".

ripplyuk

This guy is actually the fifth one I've called! One never got back to me, two said they were too busy and the fourth is still saying he'll get round to it (7weeks waiting now).

I'm not very confident about this latest one though. From the replies, it seems my taps are not are a really unusual size. He didn't seem very confident.

Just got a quote for panels from the link above. £750 :eek:
It's strange how they say it'll save 25% off the cost of tiling. The guy said he could tile it all for me for about £60. There must be cheaper ones as my partner's mum is the thriftiest person I've ever known and she has the entire bathroom panelled.

Norman_Castle

^You can get upvc shower panels which are much cheaper. I've just checked and the ebay tap I linked to above is the one I bought from the same seller. Its worked well for the last year.

Norman_Castle

http://www.pvc-cladding.co.uk/products/Pvc-Shower-Wall-Panels

southcoastrgi

ripplyuk wrote: »

Just got a quote for panels from the link above. £750 :eek:

i just gave you that as an example, but you wouldn't buy them direct from them anyway

MisterBaxter

It's definitely worth shopping around for the panels; there are a wide range available and a range of prices to match. There are some that are as little as £50 for a 2.4x1.2 panel; these tend to be thin and need a sub-base but can work well. The Mermaid glass and acrylic panels are at the other end of the market and a full shower enclosure is easily £800+. Try and get some samples to see what you like the look of. If you are having someone fit them then you will have to factor in the install costs of the various material types as some are going to be easier to work with than others and that will impact on the install cost.

Mocha61

Wickes do Tile Panel kits 820 x 1900mm for £59.99