How best to go about getting a new bathroom?

[Deleted User]

Looking for some money saving and practical tips. Just seeing if anyone can help! 

I recently got a quote from a local showroom and though it was broadly within my budget and I liked the way they went into detail on the work to be done, I noticed that the fittings were almost twice the price, if not more, than what I saw on sites like Victoria Plumbing. £650 for a bath and panel where pretty much the same one is about £350 in Victoria Plumbing. 

Is it best to buy everything myself and get a builder separately? Or should is that not going to differ much from a showroom? Any other tips will be much appreciated. 

ChilliBob

You could find a fitter and then make sure they cross check your list of sfuff to make sure you have everything and that you've not chosen incorrectly (e.g.sink eith pre drilled holes and a wall mounted tap, oops!).

Bear in mind some sfuff that looks the same might not be the same quality. 

ashe

You can save vast amounts supplying everything yourself 

downside is if something stops working the fitter won't be liable as has no involvement in supply

so you pay a lot for that fitter to take responsibility and deal with issues etc 

we did it that way and saved a huge amount but we were comfortable with that approach 

LunaLater

When I was younger, and mor naive, I got a bathroom installed by Dolphin, and was royally ripped off on the finance, because of the lies the salesman made about how taking out the finance got be a better deal and I could just repay it immediately after the work was done. They lied about what we’d agreed was included, about when payment would be taken, and about how long it would take.

Since then I have got recommendations for very good fitters, chosen exactly what I want done, and laid far less. I also know who is actually doing the work, what the person doing the work has agreed to do, and am not laying any middle-man for anything.

I really recommend doing this.

Jonboy_1984

Bought a bathroom through VP a few years back and the actual bath, toilet, sink, vanity unit etc were fine.

The cistern flush, ball valve mechanism and popup plugs were all replaced within 5 years so less impressive….

(The water is as hard as it comes in terms of PH).

sugar-walsh

Yes, I'd buy the stiff and find a reliable plumber. We bought brand new off Facebook, someone hadn't returned it in time.
Having just done loads of renovations, if you have a cashback account, remember to check on there, it soon adds up.

Postik

Last time I had my bathroom done I bought the suite and the tiles, and I paid a plumber and a tiler separately.  I think the only thing the plumber supplied was the shower screen.  Looking at some of the prices people are being quoted for new bathrooms, I would seriously consider taking this approach again.

Okydoky25

When I had my Kitchen installed I paid for supply and fit with Wicks. Yes it was more expensive than using someone local and buying from Howdens however I was extremely happy with everything from start to finish and it was fitted by the nicest guy you could meet who went above and beyond. 

Fast forward a couple of years and I wanted my bathroom re done. I thought I could get it done cheaper by purchasing the stuff myself and getting the original fitter who did my kitchen in to quote as he was by this time self employed. I accepted his quote which to be honest wasn't saving me a huge amount and certainly wasnt saving me time as I had to source everything myself and arrange returns of incorrect items received but we did pay cash to save some extra. 

Long story short Mr Self Employed was not as good when he didn't have Wicks up his backside! He left me with my bathroom ripped out and other stuff he was also doing at the same time and after winning against him in court he closed down his company and re started up in a different name.   

[Deleted User]

I called one guy who was recommended by the bathroom show room (they had plenty of cards but said "this guy is good". He answered, asked me to message him but nothing. I then just went to checkatrade and posted the job there. One guy came over today and seemed nice enough. Spent 10 minutes measuring things up, had a nice van with his company branding and advised not too move the toilet as it will leave little space between the bath. Overall, came across like he knew what he was talking about. Doesn't have availability until June however.

Have another guy coming tomorrow to quote. 

secla

Generally a good sign if there is a wait, Someone who could turn up next week should probably ring alarm bells

[Deleted User]

Postik said:

Last time I had my bathroom done I bought the suite and the tiles, and I paid a plumber and a tiler separately.  I think the only thing the plumber supplied was the shower screen.  Looking at some of the prices people are being quoted for new bathrooms, I would seriously consider taking this approach again.

Two quotes I got back, both are over £7k for just the labour. A good couple grand over what I expected (and was told). Interestingly, it's only £800 more than the showroom who included all the products to be fitted, aside from the tiles, in the price. Though all the items would have been on the same place (bath, sink, toilet) with the showroom