Bathroom Installation Guide

Getting a new bathroom installed can be quite a hefty job that requires a lot of work. So if you’re thinking about installing a new bathroom at your home, you may be unsure where to start. Luckily, we’ve created this guide to provide you with everything you need to know about new bathroom installations.

In this guide, we will look at the prices involved with installing a new bathroom, some bathroom ideas to help inspire you, the steps involved with installing a new bathroom, and the questions you should ask a contractor when hiring someone to do the work for you.

We will also go over the pros and cons that go with installing a bathroom and how to keep your new bathroom clean and maintained.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about domestic bathroom installations.

What is a Bathroom Installation?

A new bathroom installation will usually consist of a few different jobs. This can include the following:

• Redecorating
• Tiling
• Installing a new toilet
• Installing a shower/bath
• Installing a sink
• Adding or replacing flooring
• Moving or adding new pipework
• Moving or installing radiators

Bathroom installations can vary, and you may only need to complete some of the above work for your particular bathroom installation.

Types of Bathroom Installation

Below is a list of the different types of installation jobs that may come up when you are renovating your bathroom:

Bathtub Installation

A bathtub is a focal feature that can add a touch of luxury to your bathroom space. While bathtubs may not work in smaller bathrooms, they are definitely something you should think about if you have the space to install one.

A bathtub is really useful if you have small children or want a relaxing place to unwind after a long day. You can also save space by installing a bathtub with an overhead shower.

PROS

✔ Provides a place to relax

✔ Great for if you have children

✔ Adds a touch of luxury

✔ It can be combined with an overhead shower

CONS

✖ Not suitable for small spaces

✖ It can take up a lot of room

✖ Additional pipework may be tricky

Toilet Installation

A toilet is a necessity within the bathroom, and luckily, there is a huge choice of toilet designs available on the market today.

The most common type of toilet is a close-coupled toilet. This stands on the floor with the cistern at the top.

If you are limited on space, you could opt for a wall-hung toilet where the cistern is located inside the wall, so the only thing visible from the bathroom is the toilet bowl and flush handle. With such a huge variety of styles and designs, it’s easy to find a toilet that suits the aesthetic of your bathroom.

PROS

✔ Huge range of designs

✔ Usually quite easy to install

✔ Some designs provide a luxury aesthetic

CONS

✖ Additional pipework may be tricky

✖ Some designs may not be suitable for certain bathrooms

Sink Installation

A sink is another necessity when it comes to bathroom fixtures. When it comes to bathroom sinks, you should consider a few things: the shape, size, material, and how they will be mounted.

Most of these will depend on your personal preferences and how well it fits in with the rest of the bathroom fixtures. With such a huge range of sinks available today, it’s not difficult to find one to suit your needs.

PROS

✔ Huge variety of designs

✔ Usually quite simple to install

✔ Some designs provide a luxury aesthetic

CONS

✖ Additional pipework may be tricky

✖ Some designs may not be suitable for certain bathrooms

Freestanding Shower Installation

Freestanding showers are great as they can work well in most bathrooms. If your bathroom is small, you can opt for a freestanding shower instead of a bathtub. If you have a large bathroom, the freestanding shower can act as a separate, additional fixture to your bathtub.

Freestanding showers are convenient and come in many different sizes, shapes, and designs. No matter what bathroom décor you opt for, there is surely a freestanding shower that works well with the aesthetic.

PROS

✔ Many designs available

✔ Convenient

✔ Some designs provide a luxury aesthetic

CONS

✖ It can be difficult to install

Bathroom Design Ideas

There are so many options available nowadays for your bathroom that it can be hard to get your head around which design would look best.

To help you out, we have created this list of bathroom design ideas to give you a bit of inspiration and hopefully spark your imagination so that you can conjure up a plan of your ideal bathroom.

Marble Designs

If you are looking for a touch of luxury in your bathroom, you can’t go wrong with adding a bit of marble to your décor.

Incorporating marble tiles on your floor, walls, or within your shower cubicle can create an aesthetic like no other. Combine the luxurious look with colour coordinated paint to complete the look.

Spa Design

If you’re looking for a room that is completely relaxing, you can design your bathroom with a spa in mind. A simple plant can make all the difference.

Add candles for ambience and choose décor that matches the feel you’re going for. A freestanding bath can provide that luxurious spa feeling. This design would work well in larger bathrooms.

Add Seating

If you want to make your bathroom even more luxurious, you can add seating to the room. Create a gorgeous, relaxed atmosphere by adding a small chair or a wall-mounted bench.

Seating can go well in a bathroom with a freestanding bathtub as it adds something a little bit extra to the additional wall space that this type of bathtub provides.

Try Wallpaper

There are many waterproof and moisture-resistant wallpapers available on the market today. With this in mind, you can really get creative with your bathroom décor. Adding some bold colours and patterns can make your bathroom décor pop and can create a unique look like no other.

Choose Interesting Lighting

There are so many different and unique lighting options available on the market today. The light can create a unique and exciting aesthetic and can act as a focal point in the bathroom. So have fun with colours and be bold with your choices to add a little extra flair to your bathroom décor.

Think about your lighting bulb colours too, warm colours can create a more relaxing vibe, and a dimmer switch can add even more soothing options to help you relax.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a New Bathroom?

There are several pros and cons to installing a new bathroom in your home. Take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of this type of work:

PROS

Add Value to Your Home

A bathroom upgrade is a great investment as it can add around 3-5% to the value of your home. Adding all new bathroom suites, fitting, and décor in your bathroom can increase its appeal and reliability. When people come to view your home, you can really show it off and have something to be proud of.

Improve Aesthetics

Changing the look of your bathroom to something more modern and more suitable to your tastes can make a huge difference to your mental health.

Having a beautiful bathroom to relax in give you something to be proud of and will also make you want to look after it much more. A new bathroom can really change the way you look at your home and can provide a space that you can enjoy.

Correct All Faults

As your bathroom gets older, it may start to develop faults and may become stained or discoloured in some places due to moisture. With this in mind, installing a new bathroom will allow you the opportunity to fix any problems in your current bathroom.

Issues and problems in the bathroom can be stressful and can make the room less enjoyable to be in. By fixing all of the issues with a new bathroom, you can feel much more relaxed and at peace in the room.

CONS

Expense

When installing a new bathroom, you can expect the costs to be quite high. There are several costs involved with the work, including purchasing fixtures and fittings, paying a contractor, purchasing tiles and other décor, and moving or installing new pipework.

The costs can really add up, so it can end up being quite a large initial investment. However, it is worth noting that the investment will pay off as a new bathroom can add value to your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a New Bathroom?

You may be curious about the cost of a new bathroom.

The cost for a new bathroom will vary greatly depending on a number of factors. The size of your bathroom and the quality of the finish will play huge factors in the overall cost.

In addition, you will need to pay for the fixtures, fittings, décor, and the cost of labour. The cost of installing a bathroom will depend on your personal preferences.

The average cost of a small bathroom is around £5000, a medium bathroom is around £7000, and a large bathroom can be £10,000+. These numbers can vary depending on the finish, and those based in London can expect to pay quite a bit more for the cost of labour, so these numbers could be higher.

If you are opting for cheap budget fixtures, you may be able to save some money – especially if you choose to do some of the labour work yourself.

How to Fit a New Bathroom

There are many steps involved with installing a new bathroom, and the steps may vary depending on the type of installation you are getting. Below is a brief overview of what you can expect when it comes to a new bathroom installation:

Remove the Old Fixtures

Before installing your new bathroom, you will have to remove the existing fixtures and fittings. The extent of the removal will depend on how much you’re planning on changing.

Most of the time, this stage will involve stripping the walls and floors, removing the existing bath, shower, toilet, sink, and giving your bathroom a good clean. Your water and heating will also be switched off in this very first stage and for the duration of the installation.

Fit New Electrics

Once the bathroom is clear and clean, an electrician will come in to make sure the electrics are all up to standard and that they are in the correct places as needed. If not, they will move the electrics around and re-route them so that they are suitable for your new bathroom.

Wall Preparation

Your wall will now be fully prepared ready for the installation of plumbing pipework as needed. This will involve making sure there are no dents or leaks which could lead to issues. Any issues will be fixed before the plumbing work commences.

Plumbing Fixtures Installed

The plumber that you hire will work quickly to ensure your fixtures are fitted as soon as possible – especially your toilet, as this is a necessity. However, if any pipework needs to be replaced, this will need to be done before the toilet can be installed. The bath, shower, and sink can then also be installed with all the appropriate plumbing work.

Tiling and Plastering

Once all of the fixtures and fittings are in place, you can then decorate the floor and walls. This can include tiling, painting, hanging wallpaper. Again, the method will depend on your chosen bathroom décor design.

Finishing Touches

Once everything is in place and your décor is complete, the work will be assessed to ensure everything is correct. Once everything is perfect, the finishing touches can be added, such as bathroom lights, mirrors, plants, shelves, and anything else you want to add to your bathroom to complete the look.

Some stages of a bathroom installation could be completed as a DIY project. However, many homeowners choose to get a complete package where the contractors come in and do all of the work needed as one package price. However, you may be able to save a lot of money if you choose to do some of the work yourself.

It’s important that you have the correct knowledge needed to do the work. For example, work on the electrics or plumbing may be difficult and even dangerous for someone without the right experience or knowledge. In these cases, it’s best to stick to the professionals.

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Bathroom?

Bathroom fittings can vary greatly depending on several factors. These factors can include; the size of your bathroom, the extent of the renovations, the difficulty of the tasks, the layout of your bathroom, and how many contractors are working on the job.

If you are just taking care of a few small renovations such as replacing the tiles, repainting, or changing the bathroom cabinets, this can usually be done in around 2-5 days.

However, if you are starting afresh with a completely new bathroom with all new fixtures and fittings, this could take around 10-15 days to complete.

If you speak to a contractor about the work you would like to be done, they will usually give you a good estimate of the length of time that your particular bathroom renovation will take.

Building Regulations or Planning Permission Approval for Bathroom Installations

With most bathroom renovations, you won’t need to worry about planning permission. However, there are a few occasions where it may be necessary.

If you are completing a bathroom renovation in a listed building, you will most likely need planning permission. Also, if you are adding a completely new bathroom where there wasn’t a bathroom before, you will also need planning permission.

When installing a new bathroom where there wasn’t a bathroom before, you will also need to adhere to building regulations. Any work completed on building a brand new bathroom will need to be monitored and approved by a building control officer.

If you plan to install a bathroom in a completely new room, you will need to contact your local council or authority for some advice before the work goes ahead. As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all work carried out on your home complies with building regulations.

How to Clean and Maintain a Bathroom

There are many things that you can do to keep your bathroom clean and maintained. Below are some tips on the best ways to keep your bathroom cleaner for longer:

Eliminate Moisture

Mould, mildew and hard water stains are common problems in a bathroom. There is a lot of moisture in a bathroom, so it can be hard to keep it clean.

One of the best things you can do to clean and maintain your bathroom is to eliminate the chances of moisture becoming a problem. After a shower, wipe down the shower door, walls, tub, and anywhere else where moisture collects, and this will make cleaning so much easier. You can also remove more moisture from the room by opening a window or putting the extractor fan on for a bit.

Install Plenty of Towel Bars

Towels will dry much quicker if there is enough space to lay them out on a towel rack. Hanging your towels neatly from a towel rack will also help make your bathroom look much neater. If you don’t have enough wall space for towel bars, you can opt for alternatives such as over-the-door towel bars or hooks or a freestanding towel bar.

Use Long-Lasting Cleaners

Although in some cases, they may be a little more expensive, long-lasting cleaners can work wonders for your bathroom. These formulas help your toilet, tub, sink, and shower resist stains, usually for up to seven days. This makes cleaning much easier, and your bathroom will look much cleaner for longer.

Keep Wipes Handy

Stash a container of disinfecting wipes in your bathroom storage. This way, you can easily wipe up things quickly, such as toothpaste stains, watermarks, or soap scum. This allows you to quickly wipe up messes before they dry into place, making it much easier to clean and keeping your bathroom looking sparkling fresh for longer.

Bathroom Repairs

When it comes to maintaining your bathroom, you want to ensure that everything is working properly and as it should. If you come across any problems in the bathroom, these will need to be fixed quite quickly. Below is a list of the most common problems that can occur in a bathroom and how to go about fixing them:

Change a Toilet Seat

If your toilet seat becomes loose or broken, then you may need to replace the toilet seat. In some cases, a loose toilet seat can be tightened up at the hinges. However, if the seat is snapped, rusty, or warped, then it’s a good idea to change it as soon as you can.

Toilet seats are quite simple to change. It’s just a matter of unscrewing the old toilet seat and removing it, and then screwing the new toilet seats onto the bolts on the toilet and tightening it into the right position.

Fix Shower

If your shower is malfunctioning, this can lead to leaks and other damages that can really increase your water bills.

To fix your shower, begin by turning off the water source to the shower.

Next, remove the shower via the mounting screws and disconnect the components.

Once the old shower has been removed, you can now install the new shower according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Most showers are hung via mounting screws that connect the main shower box to the wall. You will then connect the pole to the wall, and the showerhead will sit on the pole.

Fix Taps

The most common cause of a leaky tap is a damaged seal or washer. In these cases, the washer will need to be replaced.

First, remove the tap faceplate and the screw beneath the plate to reveal the washers. Inspect them for damage and remove any damaged parts.

You can then replace these damaged parts and put your tap back together. After replacing the washer, the dripping should stop.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Bathroom Specialist

There are several things you may need to consider when finding the right contractor to install your new bathroom for you. Below is a list of common questions that you should ask when looking for the right contractor for the job:

• Does the contractor have any qualifications that relate directly to installing bathrooms?
• What equipment will the contractor be using to complete the job? Will they be using the correct type of equipment? Do you need to provide any equipment?
• Does the contractor possess any form of insurance for the work? You should look for contractors who have insurance covering property damage, personal injuries, and a work guarantee.
• How much experience does the contractor have in installing bathrooms? Can they provide any testimonials or evidence of previous work? Can they provide photos of previous work?
• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work? How long does the guarantee last? What issues are covered under the guarantee? Will the contractor fix any issues that arise?
• Will the contractor adhere to all building regulations rules when completing the work?

FAQs

Sources

https://interceramica.co.uk/8-types-of-bathroom-fixtures-and-fittings-explained
https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/bathrooms/tips/g626/designer-bathrooms
https://www.myjobquote.co.uk/costs/full-bathroom-refurbishment-cost
https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-adding-a-new-bathroom
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a31929/bathroom-cleaner-longer
https://propertyworkshop.com/tiling-flooring/how-much-to-tile-a-bathroom