How could this bathroom problem be fixed? Or, should it be?

sheramber

Is this an older house?

Is it possible that the shower room was a later addition  achieved by taking away part of the bedroom?  

RHemmings

sheramber said:

Is this an older house?

Is it possible that the shower room was a later addition  achieved by taking away part of the bedroom?  

I would guess 1930s or so. But, that's a wild guess and nearby estates can be as late as the 1960s. It looks like a normal squareish no bay front windows semi. 

ProDave

RHemmings said:

ProDave said:

I would just reduce the size of the adjacent bedroom a little to make the bathroom bigger and fit what you want in it.

Wow, that's a big change. Moving not just a small wall and door but a big one. Thanks. 

No, that's a small change in my book, moving the wall between the bathroom and bedroom 2 to make the bathroom bigger, part of that in bedroom 2 is already a cupboard.  No doors to move.

FreeBear

ProDave said:

I would just reduce the size of the adjacent bedroom a little to make the bathroom bigger and fit what you want in it.

Depending on the construction of the wall, I'd also consider making the bathroom bigger in order to get a bath in. But first job would be to consult a structural engineer to make sure that the wall isn't structural (even a stud wall could be proving support for other elements of the house. Assuming a nonstructural stud wall, the cost of moving it would only add a small cost to a bathroom refit.

Bigphil1474

I agree with above. Make the bathroom larger by reducing bedroom 2 - if it's a stud wall, should be straightforward. I don't think you'll lose too much from the second bedroom to make any material difference - the cupboard opens into a space where you wouldn't put a bed, and you probably wouldn't put a bed against the bathroom wall anyway (due to the bathroom noises). The main bedroom looks big, so could maybe accommodate an en-suite as well. 

RHemmings

I must admit that I would never have thought of looking at a flat before and think of moving large walls. I thought it was a bit radical to suggest moving the bathroom end wall to make it a bit longer. 

bex2012

Main bathroom, I would not have a sink over the toilet!!!! How are you supposed to brush your teeth or shave? Downstairs toilet for handwashing only its perfectly acceptable, main bathroom no.

If you must have a bath, look at a Japanese soaking tub.

Section62

RHemmings said:

I must admit that I would never have thought of looking at a flat before and think of moving large walls. I thought it was a bit radical to suggest moving the bathroom end wall to make it a bit longer. 

You were right the first time.

Internet people will make all kinds of claims about how easy it is to (re)move walls, all too often without any real understanding of what is involved.  For clarity (Freebear has already said this) you would need to get advice from a structural engineer - a wall being a "stud wall" doesn't mean you can just remove it.  You would also need to check for Building Regs requirements

Also, if you are looking at flats, (re)moving walls may also need freeholder consent. Which you won't necessarily get.

RHemmings

Section62 said:

You were right the first time.

Internet people will make all kinds of claims about how easy it is to (re)move walls, all too often without any real understanding of what is involved.  For clarity (Freebear has already said this) you would need to get advice from a structural engineer - a wall being a "stud wall" doesn't mean you can just remove it.  You would also need to check for Building Regs requirements

Also, if you are looking at flats, (re)moving walls may also need freeholder consent. Which you won't necessarily get.

Flats was a typo; I had just been in the thread with three London flats. I'm looking at houses. 

But, this is meant to be a general thread, so covering flats too is good. Not that I'm likely to buy one myself personally. 

lincroft1710

As an FTB, you are far better buying something that suits your needs, rather than buying something that doesn't and then spending a lot of money trying to make it what you want. Any perceived "savings" will be lost in reconfiguration costs