Cloakroom Toilet - Worth it?

WineDarkSea

Thanks for your thoughts, I have wondered about asking an estate agent particularly if we are also considering extending, but I'd end up back on their call list and it's an aggressive market. I asked the builders if others are doing similar and it was worth it, they've done similar in the area which is reassuring. Fortunately money isn't the issue, as we can't afford to move up the housing ladder we've been able to save a decent sum. I actually thought it would be more expensive but nicely it's a similar amount to a recent unexpected bonus. And yes it's probably only 1% of the ridiculous price of the flat.

Storage is an issue, it isn't a small flat (it's long with the reception room at the front and bathroom a long way to the rear) so there is some room to create storage elsewhere - we're redecorating the kids' room which includes adding more storage and we can buy a secure garden storage box and upgrade the shed. Sadly there are a lot of families in similarly smaller than ideal homes in this area so the flat may appeal to other young families if we sold, it's less popular as a shared house type location. A toilet would be useful to us, especially as the kids get older, although I hope we aren't still here when they are teenagers but their primary school is extremely highly rated and our youngest is only just starting reception this year. I guess it's just imagining guests using it or prospective buyers viewing and thinking it's bonkers. But as a kids' (sort of) ensuite it makes more sense and will definitely be useful. I know a lot of new build two bed flats have a main and ensuite bathroom so there seems to be demand for two loos in general. At the moment its a dark space full of stuff with exposed plaster, pipes and some exposed brickwork, so it's hard to imagine it as a useable cloakroom.

DRP

Yeah do it.

Our recent d/s loo has changed our life (melodrama)... well it makes a big difference with kids anyway.

getmore4less

Just realised I had Mrs. Browns boy's in my head with the small under stair facility

Worth doing it just for that reference with guests.

Best £4k you will ever spend.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Having a downstairs toilet is useful but quote seems expensive to me. We gutted and completely renovated our downstairs shower room (with toilet and basin) for a little over £4K. That included labour, a decent quality mixer shower, dual head and enclosure, concealed cistern wall hung toilet, vanity unit, basin, towel radiator, tiles and paint!

WineDarkSea

The reason it's more expensive is due to the rerouting of water supply pipes and mostly the excavation and installation of several meters of waste pipe under the floor, from research £3k appears more typical but this isn't straightforward, I wasn't even sure it was possible and had a figure in mind higher than £4k. It will include everything - labour, plumbing supplies, a new door and frame, floor tiles, sink, toilet, plastering, painting, boxing in pipework and new lighting. Gutting and replacing an existing bathroom is a far more simple job as the plumbing and electrics are already in place.

Luckily it is easily affordable right now. We are saving a lot and may be able to save enough to cover the cost of an extension by next year without a remortgage - although we may get one to keep some money aside as rates are so low. The cloakroom project won't impact on the potential extension but it does make a lot more sense to have a second toilet if the flat becomes larger - possibly three bedrooms with front reception room and open plan kitchen/diner/living area to the rear. The reason to do it now is because the kids' room is being decorated (to create more storage) and it's that room that will have the floor dug up for the pipes. We'd like to replace the kids' flooring, move a radiator and the walls and ceiling may need a lot of repair and skimming so it's already a messy job.

I had another look at the space and it doesn't seem too bad for height. It will look far more spacious with smooth plaster and fresh paint. It doesn't feel quite so silly a prospect after this post and I'm feeling more certain and excited about it. We could easily pay £4k for a family holiday in summer - even my six year old thought an extra loo for years was better than a holiday for two weeks. Thank you!

Money_saving_maniac

You might want to get them to quote for a Saniflo unit if the soil pipe is going to be expensive.

J_B

Money_saving_maniac wrote: »

You might want to get them to quote for a Saniflo unit if the soil pipe is going to be expensive.

Nooooooooooooooooo :mad:

greenbee

I'd definitely say it was worth it, particularly as you're doing work that makes the timing right.

If storage is an issue, think about how you can maximise this when you design the cloakroom. Is there room to store cleaning stuff under the basin? Or to hang the ironing board on the back of the door? Or to put bookshelves up (in my last house these were on the wall above the cistern). A concealed cistern means that you can create a shelf even if there isn't room for a whole wall of them.

DRP

greenbee wrote: »

I'd definitely say it was worth it, particularly as you're doing work that makes the timing right.

If storage is an issue, think about how you can maximise this when you design the cloakroom. Is there room to store cleaning stuff under the basin? Or to hang the ironing board on the back of the door? Or to put bookshelves up (in my last house these were on the wall above the cistern). A concealed cistern means that you can create a shelf even if there isn't room for a whole wall of them.

^good suggestions. Also do you have high ceilings so you can use extra tall units?

cyclonebri1

There's only one person who knows if it's worth it and that person posed the question(without being too cryptic):D:D It's absolutely your choice OP