Bathroom suppliers

longwalks1

Have been warned off a few online suppliers of bathroom parts, those with 'victoria' or victorian' in the names to name but a few, and been told a lot of it is cheap Chinese rubbish.  How will i know if i go around the local bathroom suppliers that they arent selling the same items, but at inflated prices?

Genuine question, as last year was I planning to order all my bits online but was warned against it

Doozergirl

It's only Victoria Plum that was selling low quality brassware.  Or rather, not brassware. 

Victorian Plumbing sells a range of items up to some pretty high end stuff.  

It's brassware that really bothers me.  Look for the length of warranty.  I'd expect at least 10 years if they're confident in their product. 

Jeepers_Creepers

I'm not aware of anything in general that's 'wrong' with Vicky Plumb - I used them myself many moons ago - but they do have lots more competition these days.

Doozer's advice sounds good. 

twopenny

You can also buy respectable bathroom stuff from builders merchants.

Cheaper than the bathroom shops too often as I found out.

The shower fitment was £100 cheaper through the manufacturer than through the bathroom shop. The taps too and better choice. I could get the same toilet lever at the same price but it included a matching light pull through Amazon.

I was concerned initially that I should buy through a bathroom shop and the extra was worth it because if anything was wrong I could return it. That wasn't the case when my friends new shower went wrong 2 weeks after installation where the builders merchants don't quibble.

So search wider.

daivid

Local plumbers merchants too. Obviously will vary as they are local independents, but mine are very good. Much cheaper than the 'big names', have a large range of catalogues to order from, usually to be collected within 24hrs or to my house in 48 and have staff that know what they are talking about.

longwalks1

Thanjks all, will take a look locally and on VictorianPlumbing too - And will stick to a reputable brand for taps and shower etc.

At my last home we had Hudson reed shower, and I think Aqualisa before that, am guessing they are still 2 safe bets to go for?

scottishblondie

I've been ordering our bathroom bits from far and wide, basically wherever has the best price.  I've mainly stuck to branded stuff for sanitary ware and showers (Ideal Standard, Mira, Crosswater) but I've ordered from websites I'd never heard of before as the price varies wildly.  For example, the back to wall toilet pan and the matching cabinet with concealed cistern I selected has an RRP of about £900.  I got the toilet for £250 from one website and the cabinet/cistern from another for £190 - they were both delivered directly from the local Ideal Standard depot!  The shower tray I haven't yet ordered, but I've found it for sale from £220 up to £400.  I think as long as you check out the retailer it's pretty safe to buy from most website, especially if you use a credit card for the additional Section 75 protections for purchases over £100.

I got the bath from Victorian Plumbing - a generic acrylic bath I couldn't see anywhere else, but it looks pretty good.  Taps I also took a chance on.  They were stocked on Victorian Plumbing and had a 10 year warranty and good reviews, but I've ordered them from 2 other websites for half the price of VP.

The vanity, sink and wall cabinets are coming from Ikea - I've used their bathroom stuff several times before and always thought it's good quality, although I am aware some people think the plumbing pieces are tricky to work with.  I'm particularly fond of their Godmorgon/Odensvik vanity and sink combo, this will be the 4th one I've bought!