Replace bath with shower (questions)

KayTM

We have the commonly-seen arrangement in a small bathroom where you have to climb into the bath to have a shower. Our plan is to rip out the bath tub and replace it with a walk-in shower (in the same place). It'll be best for us to hire a plumber rather than DIY, so we're in the process of getting quotes from tradesmen. (We're new to the area so we don't have existing contacts or word-of-mouth recommendations.)

How much is this job likely to cost? (Kent, SE England) I'm thinking in terms of labour as the gubbins will depend entirely on what we choose.

Should we buy the gubbins ourselves or let the plumber supply it? (I've seen what I want at Wickes for a reasonable price.)

What questions should we be asking?

What are the potential pitfalls?

Thanks!

PS: We're not bothered about how this might affect the value of the house if we want to sell a few years down the track.

barnaclebill

First can I say it's the best thing my wife and I did, we both do not like bath's and getting older it's a pain getting in and out.
We bought this house 14 months ago and my wife wanted the bathroom changed to shower only.
We found a local plumber on checkatrade who had a lot of good reviews, after talking to him he also did tile work which we also needed.
Found a large shower on the net and told him the sizes, we needed a small extra wall built out from the airing cupboard as the shower was wider than the bath but the main problem was the shower drain location meant we had to get some extra work done in the way of the joists, the plumber pointed this out to us which is something to check as since we have heard stories of plumbers just cutting through joists to fit the drain.
On the good side the pipework fitted up in the airing cupboard for a flush power shower.
The result is good looking and a joy to use, the cost was £1700, we supplied the shower cubicle, shower and tiles.
He removed the bath, build the small stud wall, paid for a plasterer and tiled the area.
He also did some work in the kitchen, changing the gas pipe to the cooker, fitting a new stopcock and connecting the washing machine and dishwasher.
No extra charge on his estimate so we were lucky to get a good worker.

KayTM

Hi barnaclebill and thanks for such a positive and useful reply.

I know some people say that to remove the only bath in a property will lower the value, but I don't care. We have to live here for the next few years and if any subsequent purchaser insists on a bath, then the process can be easily reversed.

These days, it seems that more people prefer showers to baths anyway. Professionals going out to work, people with reduced mobility, and I really do find it a pain (literally) to get in and out of a bath just to have a shower. I'm very glad to read about your positive experience.

I did consider taking a bit of the (large) bedroom next door to the bathroom, but that would require a complete change of layout of the bathroom because the WC is on the bedroom side, then the WHB, and the bath is against the opposite wall. (A party wall in a mid-terrace.)

If the bath had been on the left-hand-side we could have knocked through and doubled the space by reducing the bedroom. However, the bath is on the right-hand-side, on the party wall. I think it's best to just make do and put a shower into the space where the bath is. It's not our forever home, so it's probably better to make things adequate rather than "perfect" for now.

cattie

When I moved here I had the bathroom completely refitted which included taking out the bath & replacing it with a large shower. I sourced everything myself as that way I was getting everything I wanted at the best price, as I was able to shop around.

The person who fitted mine is somebody I've used before & is multi skilled, a very hard worker & he has a day rate. I've found that what somebody else might take 5 days to do, he can get done in say 3 days. Also, he will always look for a solution to any problems that might crop up, rather than saying it can't be done as some might do.

If I were you I'd ask around for recommendations. It's how I found my guy. All his work comes through recommendations, he never has had to advertise, which I think speaks for itself.

lstar337

I lived in a place without a bath for two years, and I wouldn't do it again.

We don't have a lot of baths as we mostly shower, but I wouldn't like to not have the option again.

I think the main reason is when you get ill, or if you have had a stressful day or have been working hard physically. Nothing seems to make me feel better than a long relaxing soak in a bath.

Of course if you really don't need/want it, then why keep it!

EDIT: Sorry I realise this doesn't have much to do with your post.

KayTM

One of the main reasons we want to get rid of the bath is because I did get ill and it's difficult and dangerous for me to get in and out of it now.

lstar337

KayTM wrote: »

One of the main reasons we want to get rid of the bath is because I did get ill and it's difficult and dangerous for me to get in and out of it now.

Don't misunderstand my post, I don't mean to criticise your choice at all. You need to do what is best for you.

I think reading your post threw up memories of living without a bath and I felt compelled to share my experience. I really hated not having a bath!

littleboo

We did this in our family bathroom, we still have a bath in the en suite. If doing it for accessibility reasons, consider a low height tray and have some good quality hand rails inside the shower area, and maybe a foldaway seat. My daughter has mobility issues and a large walk in shower has been transformational for her.

KayTM

Thanks, littleboo. It sounds as though I'm in a similar situation to your daughter regarding mobility. I like your solution - not least because it sounds exactly what I already had in mind. I've already seem something in Wickes which would be ideal to fit in the space. I did enquire briefly about using their installers but was told they're fully booked for months ahead.

I advertised the job on MyBuilder and am now expecting a local tradesman to come round for a look and quote for the job over the weekend.