Complete bathroom refurb query

Chronotrigger

Hey there,

Just bought a house (FTB), with a very tired looking bathroom. I have booked in a builder to rip it out and put in a complete suite (basin, bath tub, toilet, tiles, extractor fan, bath shower mixer with bath taps and shower head, storage fixtures, radiator, lighting, plumbing)

Is there anything not obvious I should check while the work is being done or once it is completed ?

This is my first time getting a room renovated, I've checked over the quote he gave to me via email and it all looks good listing everything he will do so I've agreed to it.

Found the builder on checkatrade. His portfolio and reviews were good.

ashe

If I had a pound for the amount of threads on here about issues with people on checkatrade (etc) that had good reviews...I'm sure there are good builders on there; mine currently has a 6 month waiting list for new work taken on though and can't imagine why any established builder would be needing sites like that which cost them money for leads as most work will come via recommendations , but maybe it's regional. 

Is it supply and fit? check brands of suite etc and make sure he isn't putting cheap rubbish in

what is his warranty period on his work?

payment terms after the job, or up front? 

Doozergirl

Let's see what's in the quote! 

ashe

Is this the only quote you have got? Its standard practice to source 3 quotes for the same work from traders you've done some due diligence on. usually during this process I've always known which one I want to go with based on how they come across, what they say they can and can't do etc. 

Check reviews on all platforms - Facebook, google, trust pilot - look specifically for negative ones - at some point every trader will have a negative customer review and that's ok, people aren't perfect - but its how they deal with those situations. Are they on social media? are they active? not a warning sign in itself but I will trust a company a bit more if theyre active on socials and engaging with customers, but not all will be so its not an immediate red flag by any means, just another source of info.  how long have they been established for? Are they doing all the work themselves, or getting tiler, electrician in etc?

Consider things like your lighting - if it has a pull cord do you want a switch? do you want wall based or ceiling based extraction? timer or switched extraction? is a backdraft non return shutter being fitted? Check that the extractor fan being used is up to scratch for the size of the room. Illuminated mirror with shaving plug? Infrared or switch? demisting pad? Is he tiling over existing tiles or taking tiles off? is he taking all waste away?

What is the window like in the room? if its old, you might want to look at getting that replaced at the same time. Likewise doorframe and door - easier while all the other work is getting done. 

Is he supply and fit, or just fitting the things you have bought? If supply and fit, check the brands to make sure decent. 

These aren't all questions to fire at the builder rapidly, you don't want to send over a massive list and sound like a pain in the backside -  a lot you can answer by looking in the quote or by reading their website, social media, terms and conditions etc. personally I wouldn't pay any job like this up front - if its a big job then staged payments agreed in advance at set points, luckily our builder is payable upon completion once he has completed any snagging list then he sends over final invoice, but worth confirming as some traders want paying up front before they start work. 

Like Doozer said, a good starting point is what is in the quote, how much is the quote, and what region are you from - that should let people weigh in on it and the rest you can investigate yourself. If you haven't paid a deposit, get some competing quotes and see what people come up with. We were quoted more for what we are paying our builder for downstairs toilet, en-suite and bathroom, but despite that he has done the things they said they wouldn't be able to do 

Some of the above you may care about more or less than others - depends on what you want out of the bathroom really!

oh one other thing - does he hand it over as a finished product, or do you need to either paint things yourself or get a decorator in? if he is doing spotlights for example, or putting a light switch in outside the room, does he make good the walls/ceiling and paint or is that your responsibility.

FreeBear

How old is the property ?

If it is like mine (inter-war semi) with solid brick walls, put some insulation up. You can get an insulated tile backer (Marmox being one brand) that will provide an ideal surface for the tiles. Yes, it adds to the cost, but you will end up with a warmer bathroom that is easier to heat and less likely to suffer from condensation problems.