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Complete Bathroom Refurbishment specialists - what you need to know

That avocado-green bathroom suite might look drab and dank to some. But to you, it’s a blank canvas – ready for you to refurb, renovate and reimagine. Today’s bathroom suites and fittings give you an unimaginable range of options. So, even if your bathroom is as cramped as a cupboard, there’ll be a solution to help you maximise the space you have available.

Bathroom refurbishment will usually begin with your professional assessing your existing suite, and proposing options that’ll make best use of the space. Your tradesperson can then get to work – removing the old suite and clearing the room.

Depending on whether you’re planning to completely tile your walls, or just go to half height, your professional may need to plaster any surfaces so they can be painted. If you plan to fully tile your suite, you won’t need to worry about plastering though.

After ensuring the necessary pipework and wiring is where it needs to be, your pro can begin tiling. Once the tiling is nearly complete – there’ll be some tiles your tradesperson will need to fit later – your shower tray, bath, toilet and basin can be installed. Then the final tiles can be fitted, and as soon as they’re set, they can be grouted too. Finally, taps and shower valves can be connected. And a high-quality silicone sealant should be used to keep edges and gaps watertight.

Cost of bathroom refurbishment

The finish and quality of the suite you’re looking to have installed will dictate the cost of your bathroom refurbishment project. And the removal of an existing suite might add to your bill.

It pays to keep a close eye on costs – the subtotal can quickly spiral, and bathroom fitting often involves unforeseen expenses. That’s why finding a tradesperson you can trust – who manages the project responsibly and honestly – is invaluable.

Typical costs for a complete bathroom refit (labour and supplying the suite) are:

• Low: £1,500–£2,500
• Average: £3,000–£4,500
• High: £5,000–£7,500

Bathroom refurbishment – the order of work

Every bathroom refurbishment demands a slightly different approach, depending on the state of the existing suite. But your professional will usually follow this process:

1. Planning – assessing the current suite and drawing up options for your new bathroom.
2. Remove existing suite – taking out the old toilet, bath, shower and basin as well as removing floor and wall tiles or wallpaper.
3. Pipework and electrics – if you’re looking to move or add any elements, chances are your mains water and waste or electrical wiring may need to be moved. Your professional will be able to ensure the necessary connections are correctly and safely moved to the desired new location.
4. Preparing surfaces – this phase will depend on the design or finish you’re looking for, but might involve skim plastering, fixing new plasterboard and screwing plyboard to the floor (or a suitable alternative to act as a base for floor tiles).
5. Begin tiling – with surfaces prepared, tiling can begin. Your tradesperson will tile as much of the bathroom as possible. Depending on the configuration you’ve opted for, they may leave the final tiles around the bath, shower and basin until after these items have been installed.
6. Fitting the suite – next comes the most significant stage in the process: fitting your new bath, shower, basin and toilet. Following the manufacturer’s instructions closely, your pro should ensure the new items are installed securely, using the correct fixtures and fittings.
7. Finish tiling – any final tiles can then be installed, down to the bath, shower or basin. And, once the adhesive has set and the surfaces have been cleaned, your tiles can then be grouted.
8. Install taps and valves – it’s now time for your bathroom expert to fit your taps, valves, and connect any remaining items such as extractor fans and towel radiators. Expect your bathroom fitter to test that everything is working as expected at this stage.
9. Sealant – when your professional has finished installing the final elements and cleaned away the mess left from grouting, the last step is to apply a high-quality silicone sealant, which’ll keep everything waterproof.

Bathroom design considerations

Modern suites give you plenty of flexibility and choices to consider. Here’s what you might want to think over before planning your refurbishment:

• Showers. Browse round a bathroom showroom and you’ll be bewildered by the number of shower enclosure options awaiting you. Consider whether your shower will need a door or not – an open enclosure can be easier to clean and save space too. If you do need a door, think about what style might work best for you. You can opt for a conventional hinged door, sliding mechanism, or a folding door. When it comes to shower trays, things are a bit simpler. Your main consideration will be whether you want a tray at all, or a wet-room-style tiled shower floor instead.
• Basins. Aside from the shape and size of your basin, and the style of taps, you have two main options to think about here. Firstly, whether you opt for twin basins and secondly, choosing between a pedestal, semi-pedestal or a basin and drawer unit. When it comes to the former, twin basins might seem a luxury – but if you have room, they can be extremely useful. And as for the latter, a basin with a drawer storage unit built in is a handy space-saving feature that’s worth the relatively small additional expense.
• Baths. When it comes to your bath, you might be glad to hear there are less choices to confuse you. You’ll just need to decide the size and shape of your tub. The main deliberation – for bathrooms with shower mixer taps above the bath – is whether or not you’ll want a specially designed shower bath, which provides a little more room to stand in.
• Toilets. Your best bet for space-saving toilets are compact close-coupled models, or back-to-wall units – where the cistern is concealed in the wall. The option you pick will probably depend on your bathroom: how much space you have and whether you can accommodate the concealed cistern of a back-to-wall model. It probably goes without saying, but soft-closing toilet lids are a must-have too – ensuring you don’t wake the neighbours with any accidental clatters late at night.
• Storage. Finally, it’s the often-overlooked and least-glamorous element of your bathroom – storage. Especially the case in family bathrooms, the number of toiletries, cosmetics, and grooming accessories soon adds up. So, think about storage solutions when planning your new bathroom suite. As we’ve mentioned above, one solution is to opt for a basin with a built-in drawer – or set of drawers, even. Alternative options might be slender corner cupboards, as well as mirrors that conceal slimline storage.

The qualifications your bathroom refurbishment expert needs

Bathroom refurbishment is a discipline that demands a range of skills and proficiencies. So, it’s always advisable to find a professional who holds a range of qualifications and accreditations.

While City and Guilds qualifications or diplomas in bathroom fitting are beneficial, accreditations like NICEIC – National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation and Contracting – (and potentially even Gas Safe registration, should pipework need to be moved) are more important. These endorsements ensure your professional is legally qualified to work on your electric and gas. Ask for a range of customer references and examples of previous work, too.

Insurance for bathroom refurbishment

Leaks, electrical faults, and any number of other mishaps. In the unlikely event that you encounter these, it’s important your professional holds public liability insurance – meaning they’ll cover themselves and any damage they may unintentionally cause in your home.

Questions you should ask your bathroom refurbishment expert

• Can they supply the bathroom suite as well as fitting it?
• Do they offer a design service?
• Do they hold NICEIC qualification, allowing them to work on your electrical circuits?
• Will they be able to dispose of your old bathroom suite?