Frequently Asked Questions

This depends on a number of factors including the quality of the components being fitted, the expertise and skillsets of the installer, the condition of the existing walls and floor, and whether component locations are being changed.

A significant price factor is the extent of tiling required.

The current average price for a complete refit of a standard sized bathroom in the UK costs between £8,000 and £12,000

Both are equally as good provided that they are laid/fitted correctly. Both need a sound and secure wall finish before fitting and this can mean that re-plastering is needed first.

Tiling is more durable but panelling is much quicker to installer. The panels are generally more expensive than tiles but because they can be fitted faster so the overall price difference is usually negligible.

A typical shower room or bathroom refit will need a fitter, a carpenter, a tiler, a plasterer, an electrician and a decorator to complete all tasks professionally.

A reputable installation company will have all of these trades working for them.

By employing individual independent tradespeople can be time consuming, and can often end up with one party blaming another when things go wrong or over-run.

Word of mouth and personal recommendations are always helpful.

Checkatrade is also a safe and reliable way to find a good bathroom fitting company. They have a stringent vetting system and a client feedback procedure that keeps standards very high.

Checkatrade's members will have a points rating and league placement dependent on their service, skills, finish and value for money etc.

Distinctive Home Bathrooms is a member of Checkatrade, with a current average rating of 9.5 out of 10

Wetrooms are much more user friendly as they don't have a step in to the shower area. They are of great benefit to those with mobility issues and provide a bigger showering space for those who may need assistance when washing.

Wall and floor areas will need to be expertly tanked to prevent water seepage / migration. They will be finished in non-slip flooring, usually tiles or vinyl sheeting.

Wetrooms are more involved and should only be installed by trained wetroom fitting specialists (not ordinary plumbers).

Because of the extra work and higher skills required, wetrooms are usually around 20-25% more expensive than a typical shower room.

You should always get at least 2 - 3 quotes for your new bathroom or shower room. The prices should be relatively similar if they are working to the same specifications.

A much cheaper quote usually means that the company will then need to work to a price and almost certainly cut corners and/or use sub-standard tradesmen and components. A much higher quote could mean that you are being taken advantage of.

A reputable bath or shower installation company will have Public Liability insurance against damage / loss and will normally provide a guarantee for their workmanship (usually 2-3 years).

Before placing an order it is always a good idea to check references and speak with recent clients of the company.

Given that components usually account for around 50% of the project cost it is quite normal and usual to pay a deposit at the time of order. This is usually around 30%. The balance is then paid at the end of the project.

In the case of a large job where perhaps 2 or more bathrooms are being refitted it would be quite normal to agree a stage payment, say once 50% of the works are complete and to your satisfaction.

You should always receive an invoice for all payments and this should always include the company name, address, contact details, date, invoice number, brief description of goods/services supplied, company registration Number and VAT Registration Number.