Planning bathroom storage during a refit
Built-in storage (vanity units, recessed cabinets) is far easier to plan during a full refit than to retrofit afterwards, since it often needs coordinating with tiling and plumbing runs. Worth deciding on storage needs before the layout is finalised, not after tiling is complete.
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.
How many quotes should you get?
Three is reasonable for most bathroom jobs. For a full refit, make sure each quote specifies the same suite brand and tile allowance, since bathroom quotes vary a lot based on fixture quality assumptions that aren't always stated upfront.
Making the most of a small bathroom
A corner shower, wall-hung suite, and a mirrored cabinet instead of a separate cabinet and mirror are common ways fitters maximise a small bathroom without a full structural change. Layout planning matters more in a small space, where a few centimetres can determine whether a design actually works.
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.
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.
Shower screens vs shower curtains
A glass shower screen looks cleaner and is easier to maintain long-term than a curtain, but costs more and needs to be fitted correctly to avoid water escaping at the edges. A curtain is the cheaper, more flexible option, particularly for an over-bath shower.
Water-saving bathroom fittings
Dual-flush toilets, aerated taps and water-efficient shower heads reduce water usage without necessarily reducing how the fixture feels to use — worth asking about if reducing water bills or environmental impact is a priority, since the difference in fitting cost is usually small.