Three steps to hiring the right bathroom fitter
First, ask to see photos of similar completed jobs, ideally local ones. Second, clarify exactly who does the electrical and plumbing work — the fitter directly, or a subcontracted registered tradesperson. Third, get a written quote that separates labour, fixtures and tiling.
Choosing a bathroom suite
A close-coupled toilet is the standard, affordable choice. A wall-hung toilet looks sleeker and is easier to clean around but needs a concealed cistern built into the wall, adding cost and reducing space behind the wall for other services. Similar trade-offs apply to countertop vs inset basins.
What affects the cost
Cost depends on whether pipework and electrics need moving (not just swapping fixtures in place), the tiling area, fixture quality, and whether structural changes are needed (like removing a bath for a walk-in shower). Moving a toilet's position, in particular, is one of the more expensive changes because of the soil pipe work involved.
Background checks and identity verification
Since bathroom fitting isn't gated by a single mandatory certification the way gas or electrical work is, checking trading history, a verifiable business address, and reviews referencing specific completed jobs matters more here than for some other trades.
Understanding the labour vs materials split
Tiles, the suite, and fittings are often a smaller share of the total cost than labour, particularly for a full refit involving tanking and tiling. A cheap quote is worth checking against the same fixture brands and tile spec as competing quotes, not just a lower labour rate.
Adding a downstairs WC or cloakroom
A ground-floor WC addition usually needs a macerator pump if gravity drainage to the existing waste isn't possible, which adds cost and a small amount of noise compared to a standard gravity-fed toilet. Worth discussing early since it affects where in the house a downstairs WC is practical.
Mirrors and lighting for a functional bathroom
A backlit or demister mirror avoids the fogging that makes a plain mirror less useful straight after a shower. Positioning main lighting to avoid casting shadows across the mirror (for shaving, makeup) is a small detail worth discussing with your fitter rather than leaving to a single central ceiling light.
Bathroom condition and selling your home
A recently refitted, well-maintained bathroom is a genuine selling point, and any electrical certification from work done during the refit is worth keeping for buyers' solicitors. Visible damp or poor grouting, on the other hand, is one of the more common things a buyer's surveyor flags.