by Joel Griffiths | 7th Aug, 2024 | Accessibility, Bathroom, Health, news
Bathroom renovations are a wonderful way to transform your functional space into a spa-like sanctuary where you can relax and unwind. Whether you’re looking to renovate because you want to upgrade your facilities, or you’d like to swap your standard units for disabled-friendly ones, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what the process entails.
Of course, a huge part of this is the renovation cost. While exact numbers can vary massively, there are several factors that will determine how much your total expenditure will be. Let’s delve into the details of how much does a bathroom renovation cost?
What are the typical bathroom installation costs?
When you are renovating your bathroom completely, there are lots of elements that need to be bought that will all have a significant role in the overall cost. For example, what flooring are you considering – expertly soured marble or easy-to-access vinyl? Then, regarding your fixtures (toilet, basin, bath, etc.), would you prefer designer or budget-friendly styles? In this part of our guide, we’re going to delve into each of the typical fixtures and elements that you’ll want to consider, and how they will affect your bathroom installation cost.
Toilet
A toilet is one of the most important and practical features of your new bathroom. However, the cost can vary from hundreds to thousands. So, what is the difference? A standard two-piece toilet is a traditional choice – consisting of a separate bowl and tank that are joined during construction. They are normally a more cost-effective option as they are simple to fit and commonly produced. A more expensive option is a wall-mounted model.
These sleek designs take up less floor space and have the bulky tank hidden or boxed into the wall. However, because of the additional work it takes to fit them, they will come at a higher cost. If you really want a luxurious final addition to your bathroom, you may consider a smart toilet. These clever designs have high-tech features such as heated seats and bidet functions. As they require an electric connection, these do tend to come at the higher end of the expense scale due to increased fitting cost as well as being a pricier model. The type of toilet you go for will also impact the ease of cleaning.
Basin
Similarly, there are different basins that can soon stack up the cost of your overall renovation. Pedestal basins are probably the most cost-effective. They consist of a simple bowl, attached to the ground on a pedestal that conceals the plumbing. If you prefer a more sleek, contemporary look – you might consider a wall-mounted unit.
These give the appearance of a larger space, as the space underneath is usually clear, and the plumbing is concealed into the wall. However, with that comes larger installation costs. Then you’ve got vanity units that hold bowl basins – these are easy to plumb in and can easily hide pipes, however the unit themself is often an expensive cost.
Bath / shower
There are many bath and shower units to pick from – including your standard tub bath, cubicle shower, mobility style baths that allow easy access and walk-in showers that have a minimal threshold to the floor. These all vary significantly in cost, mainly due to the plumbing works and floor preparation needed to install.
Taps
When it comes to taps, you can get your classic mixer and pillar options, which all come at a relatively standard cost. Then, you have wall-mounted options that’ll need to be plumbed in and concealed into the wall, therefore raising the cost due to installation. If you want the latest high-tech offering, you can get sensor taps that come on and off automatically when in use. However, due to the wiring involved for these – the installation is usually a lot more.
Flooring and lighting
We’ve spoken about the most common fixtures, and now it’s time to consider your flooring and lighting. Common bathroom flooring could be ceramic tiles, natural stone, vinyl flooring or laminate flooring. These all vary wildly in cost, with vinyl being an easy-to-source and accessible choice and tiles and stone rising with the more premium they are. Other things to consider that may raise your bathroom renovation price would be whether you’d like a waterproofing course underneath your floor. These are vital in mobility wet rooms.
In terms of lighting, you can have fitted in strip lights to accentuate certain parts of your bathroom. Or, you can go for regular wall and ceiling lights. The more electrical work needed to wire these will of course add to the cost, as will each light and bulb itself.
Extra features
With any renovation, there will always be additional extras that will bump up the cost of your renovation. From in-built speakers to thermo jets in your pool – there are so many things to consider, but ultimately, it comes down to how much you have budgeted and what luxuries you can afford.
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How much does an average bathroom renovation cost?
We have spoken about the exacting things that can vary as part of your bathroom renovation and how you can budget for each specific fixture. However, what other things should be factored in when wondering how much an average bathroom renovation cost?
First of all, how much work do you need completing by a tradesman? As well as a plumber, you may need damp specialists, electricians, tilers and even carpenters. Think about which labourers you will need for your project – as this will add to the cost.
It will also come down to the scope of your renovations. Are you looking for a full disabled bathroom makeover? Or do you just want to upgrade some fixtures?
Why do bathroom renovation costs vary?
Bathroom renovation costs can vary massively due to several factors. Of course, we’ve already detailed some of these, but here are some other things to consider:
Where in the country you are based
Like anything, tradesman and labour costs are different depending on where you are. It all comes down to supply and demand – as well as local market rates.
The size of your bathroom
It may sound obvious – but the bigger your space, the more cost involved. That’s because you’ll be using more materials, which in turn takes a longer time to fit.
Special features
The complexity of the job at hand will always add to the overall cost. For example, if you wanted a carpenter to do special in-built cupboards. These are the areas that can quickly stack up in price.
Are there any hidden bathroom costs?
Hopefully your bathroom renovation is smooth sailing without any issues. However, when things go wrong, you might see some extra costs. For example, discovering water damage when you remove old units. Or, unexpected delays if your new fixtures need sourcing from somewhere specialist.
The average bathroom renovation cost in the UK can be influenced by multiple factors, from the fixtures you want included to the labour costs included. By understanding all the elements involved, you can begin to form a realistic budget and know what places you can cut back if you need to.
Whether you want a simple reconfiguration for an easier bathing routine or you want a full luxurious makeover, careful planning should be involved to make sure it’s within your budget and you can get exactly what you want from your space.
by mobilityplus | 30th Aug, 2018 | news
Mobility Plus is now an official retail partner to the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), joining high street names such as John Lewis, Bathstore and B&Q.
This new partnership is a testament to the high standards achieved by Mobility Plus in their installation of easy-access showers, walk-in baths and wet rooms.
Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Warriner says, “Mobility Plus is proud to partner with the BiKBBI and shares their commitment to improving the standards of bathroom installations. Our customers can only benefit from this new relationship.”
The BiKBBI is the UK’s first and only institute dedicated to kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installation. Sanctioned by government, this not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to improving standards within the industry.
The partnership provides Mobility Plus customers with the peace of mind that they have chosen a fully-accredited bathroom installer with a proven track record of installation expertise.
Things to consider with any bathroom installation
When considering updating your bathroom, the BiKBBI make several recommendations before you make the important decision to invest in what could be a complex project:
- Take time to find the right product for your needs and budget
- Always have a home visit to receive an accurate design
- Only consider a professional installer
- Always expect a formal written quotation
- Make sure your installer is fully accredited
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
https://www.bikbbi.org.uk/find-a-member/things-to-consider
by mobilityplus | 12th Sep, 2017 | news
Last year we fitted one of our stunning wet rooms for Mr and Mrs Blase from Stockport, and we were thrilled to receive this letter at the start of this year telling us how much they love their new bathroom. We’re so pleased that Mrs Blasé can enjoy her bathroom whilst also enjoying the nature outside of her bathroom window. Here’s what she had to say …..
“…From start to finish, the whole operation went smoothly, exactly as described and promised and we have all the facilities we needed to enable us both to access the shower safely and comfortably.
It sounds daft to say that every time I have a shower I think about writing, but I do. Last summer I was able to sit on the oh-so-comfy seat with the window open, listening to the birds, and think ‘this is better than a water garden at the Chelsea Flower Show!’
The meticulous attention to detail and the individual’s needs shows up even more when we stay at a Premier Inn in Newport, one of the few that have wet rooms, and yet there is no comparison. I think they need to consult your firm and offer you the job of converting their facilities. When you also think of the varied ‘disabled’ toilet facilities in the pubs and restaurants we have visited, I am never more thankful for what we have installed by you.
There are so many little touches that make such a difference; things like the positioning of the toilet roll holder, so that you can reach it without having to be double-jointed to reach behind your back. The rail in the shower is invaluable, and the seat is sheer bliss. To think that I originally said I didn’t want one. The rack in the shower for the soap, shampoo etc, lots more space than we have previously.
All the way through we feel that our comfort and safety was at the forefront of the installation and we are so glad that we chose your firm, and we recommend you to everyone who visits and eyes our wet room with envy.”
Take a look at our full wet room and walk-in shower ranges and find your mobility bathroom solutions. We also offer a practical range of walk-in baths too.
by mobilityplus | 6th Sep, 2017 | news
Being a carer for someone requires time, patience, compassion and most importantly, organisation. Balancing all of this with your own life can be hard work, so it is important that you seek external help and take care of yourself to enable you to provide the best possible care. Here are some helpful tips and advice when managing such care effectively.
External support
By getting in touch with your local social services you might be able to request practical help at home, help with taxi fares, counselling to deal with stress and details about local support groups for carers. These local support groups can be a good source of comfort for you as a carer. Having the support of family and friends can help you emotionally to an extent, but they may not always be able to give you the empathy you need when understanding the strain of being a carer. Support groups however can do just that as well as providing you with the opportunity to open up and share your experience. There are also online forums to enable you to engage with other carers if getting to support groups is a challenge for you. We do understand that getting to groups can be difficult due to time, but there are online options to offer advice and discussions that provide alternative support. Take a break and take care of yourself Don’t forget to take a break and allow time to take care of yourself and your own personal needs. You can’t expect to provide quality care to somebody else if you are not doing the same for yourself. To enable the best possible care, you need to get your rest, exercise, eat well and socialise. All the things that promote health and well-being, you need to ensure you are providing a well-balanced combination of these for yourself. A couple of hours per week set aside for your own social needs can really help you to de-stress, and be yourself rather than the carer you are most of the time.
Support products
Today there are lots of products and services that help to make life a lot easier for you. Caring for another person can put lots of physical strains on your body as well as emotional, so ensuring that the surroundings and environment is tailored for the needs of both you and the person you are caring for will really help your daily routine, and you will rest easy knowing that there are products that will make the home safer. Getting up and down the stairs can be a great challenge in these types of situations, so a stair lift can really save lots of time and energy when going to bed or to the bathroom if upstairs. Also, bathing becomes very difficult for a carer if the bathroom is not suited to your needs. Getting a mobility bathroom installed which has been designed for easy access, for not only independent bathing but for those providing assistance to those who can’t quite manage to bathe alone. Here at Mobility plus we have a practical range of wide opening shower doors and floor level access showers with seats, especially designed for those with mobility problems restricting regular shower access. We also provide half height bi-fold door options that allow carers to assist bathing from a distance. Take a look at our walk-in showers and baths range to find the most suitable option for you
Your rights as a carer
If you are a carer for a friend or relative, you have rights. Don’t overlook your own needs as well as those of the person you care for. First and foremost, you should contact your local social services department to arrange a carer’s assessment. You should think about how your caring role affects you and what things could help you to manage better. The assessor will look at the impact your caring role has on your life and whether you are receiving the support you need and are entitled to. You can get more details and information about how to arrange one on carer’s assessments on the Carers Direct website. Caring for someone whilst still working full time is difficult to say the least, but you should be aware that you do have the right to request flexible working hours to help you to manage your time as efficiently as possible for your responsibilities outside of work. You can make a request once each working year, however you should bear in mind that your employer doesn’t have to agree to it. In terms of monetary rights, you are entitled to carers allowance if you are caring for someone for more 35 hours per week and carers credit if you are caring for someone more than 20 hours per week. This helps you to not only care for someone but also to build your entitlement to your state pension. For more details on your monetary rights as a carer you should get in touch with your local authority.
