Who could convert an ensuite into a walk in wardrobe?

NibblyPig

My house layout, one bedroom has a miniscule ensuite crammed in with the tiniest crappy shower and toilet.

So more like a step-in wardrobe...

There is a spacious bathroom next to the bedroom which is much more pleasant, so I can't see myself ever stepping into the ensuite.
The room is a bit small and it would be ideal to put a wardrobe in there.

I don't want to DIY it. I want a nice cheerful salesman to tell me what would work well and then remove the toilet/shower/sink/tiles/etc and fit the entire thing and then I pay the bill.

But I have no idea where I could find this kind of service. I am sick to death of tradespeople at this point, I can't deal with any more herding cats, and tradepeople in my experiences so far tend to do literally what you ask them to do, which is not always what is best or what is required.

Do you think a bathroom showroom type place would do this for me? Or should I find a building firm or something? I'm not really sure what's best. Any help would be appreciated.

Soot2006

Any decent joiner should be able to do it. I'd probably approach one of those bespoke wardrobe companies and ask them what needs to be removed for them, if anything ... Worth keeping a little vanity sink if you can, if the walk-in is big enough!

TELLIT01

A 'decent joiner' may not want to get involved in the plumbing work, particularly capping off a soil pipe from the toilet.  Tradespeople should do exactly what you ask them to do unless your request is either impossible or dangerous.  I doubt you would be happy with a tradesperson who came to you at the end of a job demanding more money because they had done extra work you had not requested.

Any builder could potentially do all the work, but would still need input from you as to what you want.  The only 'cheerful salesman' you are likely to find is the one who comes in and realises there is lots of money to be made from somebody who doesn't want to engage!

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi Nibbly.

Usually en-suites are great and to be recommended, but if there's a nice bathroom next door, then there's hardly the same need. How many bedrooms do you have in total?

Anyhoo, this job is 90% joiner work. Or a general builder - as long as they are 'good with wood', 'cos that's 90% of it. That  - a joiner - is who I'd approach. They will/should know a plumber who'll pop out to safety and securely and neatly and reinstateably cap off the waste and water pipes. Just explain what you want, and ask if they know someone they can get to do the plumby bits. I'd be astonished if they didn't have a few folk they regularly work alongside, and who would be 'happy' to pop out for the hour or so that'll take.

Explain that you'd like the joiner to arrange this, and include the cost in their quote; you want a single, all-in price.

(I'd have the pipes capped off obviously out of sight, but their positions marked on a sheet you keep so that you can tell a future buyer that the room has the plumbing already in place for a shower en suite; a lot of folk would like that option, and it'd be cheap and easy to do since the plumbing is already there).

Rosa_Damascena

TELLIT01 said:

A 'decent joiner' may not want to get involved in the plumbing work, particularly capping off a soil pipe from the toilet.  Tradespeople should do exactly what you ask them to do unless your request is either impossible or dangerous.  I doubt you would be happy with a tradesperson who came to you at the end of a job demanding more money because they had done extra work you had not requested.

Any builder could potentially do all the work, but would still need input from you as to what you want.  The only 'cheerful salesman' you are likely to find is the one who comes in and realises there is lots of money to be made from somebody who doesn't want to engage!

So young yet so cynical...

Apodemus

Jeepers, while we would probably all do exactly as you have suggested, capped-off, dead-leg pipes are not advisable, from the point of view of Legionnaires disease control.

TELLIT01

Rosa_Damascena said:

TELLIT01 said:

A 'decent joiner' may not want to get involved in the plumbing work, particularly capping off a soil pipe from the toilet.  Tradespeople should do exactly what you ask them to do unless your request is either impossible or dangerous.  I doubt you would be happy with a tradesperson who came to you at the end of a job demanding more money because they had done extra work you had not requested.

Any builder could potentially do all the work, but would still need input from you as to what you want.  The only 'cheerful salesman' you are likely to find is the one who comes in and realises there is lots of money to be made from somebody who doesn't want to engage!

So young yet so cynical...

Thank you for the 'young' bit.  I am definitely cynical.

Mistral001

I would have thought getting rid of an ensuite will devalue your house even though you will be adding a walk-in wardrobe.  

If you must get it done, then a bathroom installer might give you a price.  It will be an unusable job for them, but apart from maybe a little plastering and painting to make good the walls, it should be within their expertise.

Jeepers_Creepers

Apodemus said:

Jeepers, while we would probably all do exactly as you have suggested, capped-off, dead-leg pipes are not advisable, from the point of view of Legionnaires disease control.

Fair point, although the risk is usually overstated.

It would make sense to ask the plumber their option on the length of the deadleg, and perhaps fit isolating valves nearer the supply tees. And cap off the ends of the now-empty pipes.

Rosa_Damascena

Mistral001 said:

I would have thought getting rid of an ensuite will devalue your house even though you will be adding a walk-in wardrobe.  

If you must get it done, then a bathroom installer might give you a price.  It will be an unusable job for them, but apart from maybe a little plastering and painting to make good the walls, it should be within their expertise.

Perhaps not, if the bathroom is so small its impractical for a grown adult to use comfortably. Tiny does not scream luxury.