Do you loathe going into your bathroom each morning? Maybe it’s just not functional for your family anymore or it’s dated and could do with an update. A bathroom installation is a relatively easy project that can update the space, make it significantly more functional, and add value to your home.
If you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation in Bristol or South Wales but have no idea where to start, our guide will give you everything you need to know.
How Much Does a Bathroom Installation Cost?
Overall, the average cost of installing a new bathroom in the UK is £4,500. However, if you’re simply swapping a like-for-like suite, without additional tiling or flooring, you may be able to achieve this for as little as £1,500.
The cost varies depending on the quality of fixtures you go for. You can pick up a bathroom suite for as little as £200. However, if you decide to opt for something higher quality, it will cost more.
Tiles are another element of a bathroom remodel that can drastically up the cost. High-end tiles can be expensive, and you’ll have to pay around £65 per square metre for a professional tiler.
Your Free Quote for Bathroom Installations in Bristol & South Wales
If you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation but you have no idea how much it will cost, give us a call. We’ll come out to give you a free no-obligation quote!
How to Plan Your Bathroom Layout
Are you planning on keeping your bathroom suite in the same position? Or would a different layout be best? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Positioning Your Toilet
One of the very first things to consider is the position of your toilet. This is usually dictated by your soil pipe. In most cases, it will be much easier to fit your toilet where the soil pipe exits the room, rather than considering a different layout.
Decide on Your Fixtures
You should decide on your bathroom fixtures early in the process. For example, if you’d like a double shower to replace your single shower, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough space.
Likewise, if you want a new wall-hung vanity, the wall may need to be strengthened during the build process.
Choosing your products early in the process will make the rest of the project much smoother.
The Shower
If you’re having a shower cubicle, make sure you think about the spacing around it. Do you have enough clearance for a hinged door? Or will you need a sliding door?
Corner units are a good way to save space and these come with sliding doors which don’t need any clearance.
Another thing to keep in mind is your towel rail. You don’t want to design your shower door to open up onto the other side of the bathroom nowhere near your towels.
Walking Space
If you plan on adding in a larger bathtub or a double shower where you currently have a single, make sure there is enough walking space to get around with ease.
You need a minimum of 21 inches between all fixtures to meet code. However, we recommend 30 inches to give a comfortable amount of walking space.
To check this, head to your bathroom with a tape measure and mark out the new fixtures with some tape to get a good idea of how much space you’ll have left.
Ventilation
This is often forgotten when designing a bathroom, but good ventilation is key. Even if you have a window in your bathroom, It’s best to have an extractor fan to remove excess moisture. This will help prevent mould and damp building up.
An extractor fan can be installed either in the wall or ceiling. If you have spotlights in your bathroom already, one light can be swapped out with an extractor fan/light combo fairly easily.
Lighting
The lighting in your bathroom is important. Do you want bright light to make getting ready in the morning easier? Or would you like soft light to give a peaceful atmosphere when taking a long bath?
You need to know what kind of lighting you’d like and factor this into your layout.
Are you going to have spotlights installed for a bright, modern finish? Or perhaps you’d like a large mirror with backlighting? This is down to personal preference but it’s best to have an idea before any work starts.
How Long Does It Take to Install a New Bathroom?
The quickest, easiest way to get a bathroom installed is to hire a turnkey provider, like us.
At Coolheat Plumbing, we take care of everything needed for your bathroom renovation. This includes relocating fixtures, pipework, tilework, plastering, and tiling, as needed.
This is much quicker than hiring individuals to do each job and gives a much higher quality finish than going down the DIY route.
When you hire a professional firm to take care of your bathroom installation, it should take an average of two to four weeks for a full bathroom renovation.
However, this will vary depending on the size of the bathroom and level of work needed.
Bathroom Installation Process
So you may be wondering, what is the process when I hire a bathroom contractor to install a new bathroom? Let’s take a look at the steps involved:
1. Removal of the Old Suite
After the water has been turned off, your existing bathroom fixtures will be removed. This includes the sink, shower enclosure, shower tray, toilet and bathtub.
2. Tile Removal
Next, all tile is removed and the damage beneath assessed. If the tiles come off easily, they may not cause a lot of damage and tiles may be able to be added to the existing plaster. However, the tile will likely damage the wall underneath, in which case the plasterboard will be pull down too.
3. Electrics
If you’re having underfloor heating, new lighting or a digital thermostat, the electrics will be done at this point. All wiring will be run as needed and holes will be drilled in the ceiling for ceiling lights if needed. The extractor fan will also be installed at this stage.
4. New Pipework
New pipework will be needed if you want to move the location of your fixtures or if your current pipes are corroded or not up to code.
This is why it is vital to know which fixtures you’re having beforehand. For example, a floating vanity will require new pipework and reinforcement of the wall where it will hang before it can be installed.
Likewise, a bath with centred taps will need different pipework than a bath with taps at the end.
5. Wall Preparation
Now all the prep work has been done, new plasterboard can be installed. This is professional-grade, water-resistant plasterboard that will stop damp.
6. Painting
Although we don’t offer painting services, now would be a good time to paint the room before your new fixtures are installed. That way, you don’t have to worry about paint splashing on your new bathroom suite or new tiles.
7. Suite Installation
Next, your new bathroom suite will be installed. This will include a new toilet, basin, bathtub and/or shower tray and enclosure.
8. Tiling
Finally, your walls and floors will be professionally tiled to give a fantastic finish. If you’re having underfloor heating, the cable network will be laid and tested before tiling the floor to make sure it’s working.
9. Electrics
The last step is hooking up any electrics such as the underfloor heating thermostat, spotlights, extractor fan, or shaver socket. This will be done by a registered electrician.
How to Save Money on a Bathroom Renovation
1. Keep fixtures where they are
If your bathroom already functions well, you’ll save a good chunk of your budget by leaving all your fixtures in the same place. Relocating a waste pipe for a toilet is a big job which will add days to the job. Overall, the more fixtures you move, the more pipework that needs to be run, the higher the cost.
2. Opt for Shower boards instead of tile
Shower boards are less expensive than tile and are much easier to maintain since there are no grout lines to scrub.
They come in a range of colours and look fantastic in a new renovation, so they don’t feel like a compromise.
3. Do the prep work yourself
If you’re happy with DIY, you’ll save labour costs by removing tile yourself. However, make sure you wear thick gloves and safety goggles. Tile shards can be extremely sharp when chipping off a wall.
If you plan on removing your old suite yourself, make sure you turn the water off and drain your system first.
4. Get Our Advice on Fixtures
If you have a set budget in mind, we’ll be able to give you our expert advice on the best fixtures that not only look great but fit within your budget.
We use City Plumbing as our supplier. They offer a great range of fixtures to suit all budgets. They also have up to date trends to help you get a modern look.
Bathroom Inspiration
We couldn’t end this guide without some inspiration to help you visualise your new bathroom. Here are some photos of our recent projects.
This bathroom features gorgeous victorian-style patterned tile and a floating wood vanity that give a timeless look.
This luxurious bathroom has a deep soaker tub with standing faucet which gives a boutique hotel finish.
This bright and modern bathroom was large enough for a deep tub, double shower and floating vanity. We had a slim toilet which fits snuggly in the corner, but still has plenty of room to make the entire space feel airy.
Looking for a Bathroom Installation in Bristol or South Wales?
At Coolheat Plumbing, we offer a turnkey bathroom installation service. We take care of everything from laying all new pipework right through to professional tiling and electrical work to take the stress of a bathroom renovation off your shoulders.
Give us a call today to get a free no-obligation quote and we’ll give you our expert advice on how to get the most out of your bathroom.
