The Bathroom Design & Installation Process – Your Questions Answered

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A beautiful new bathroom can transform your lifestyle, giving you a wonderful space to relax in, as well as speeding up your morning routine and making chores less of a hassle. However, with complex factors such as finding a successful layout, removing walls and updating your plumbing/electrics involved, it can be tempting to put off your project for a little longer.

At The London Bath Co., we specialise in providing fully-managed bathroom transformations. Our comprehensive service makes achieving your ideal bathroom a convenient and stress-free process. Whether you are looking for a specialist company to lead your project or plan to oversee the work yourself, our in-depth bathroom design and installation guide should leave you feeling confident and ready to make your vision a reality.

bathroom design and installation

The First Things To Ask Yourself About Your New Bathroom

Before you start making design decisions and planning your bathroom project, there are a few questions you will want to ask yourself to make sure you have a clear brief to refer to as your design develops.

Who is your new bathroom for?

Needless to say, the practical requirements of a spacious master suite for two will certainly differ from the demands of a compact guest shower room or main family bathroom. You will want to make sure your new design ticks all the boxes for whoever is likely to use the space. A shared bathroom for a young family will need plenty of storage and a bath, whereas a guest en-suite may benefit from a simple shower and a clear space for keeping a travel vanity.

Which bathroom style is right for you?

Bathroom styles can generally be divided into two categories: contemporary or traditional. Including elegant detailing and decorative elements, classic bathrooms vary, from those featuring a vintage roll-top bath to more understated designs with traditional fittings and fixtures. Modern bathrooms are usually exemplified by clean forms and minimal detailing. Choosing a bathroom style will predominantly come down to personal taste. However, some people find simple modern bathrooms easier to clean and maintain. You can find further guidance on different bathroom styles by clicking here to read our dedicated blog.

What’s your budget?

It is always a good idea to define your budget during the first stages of your project. Setting a clear budget will help you prioritise your wish list and avoid disappointment further down the line. For more advice on what to consider when planning your bathroom renovation, please click here.

 

What Is The Bathroom Design Process?

Designing your ideal bathroom involves bringing together a variety of elements, ranging from practical features such as layout and lighting to visual aspects such as fittings and décor. Finding the optimum layout and integrating plenty of great storage solutions is key to the success of your design, and thus we would always recommend consulting a professional to ensure your get the most from your space and budget.

Finding Design Inspiration

If you choose to work with a professional bathroom design company, they will be able to help you plan your interior and finesse the finer details of your design. However, as well as answering some of the important practical questions outlined in the first section, it can help to have a rough idea of the kind of look you’re going for. You can start gathering inspiration using apps such as Pinterest and Instagram. You may also want to explore online magazines and interior design blogs. While browsing different visual material can introduce you to great new ideas, there’s no substitute for experiencing some designs in real life. Visiting your local bathroom showrooms is the best way to pin down what you do and don’t like. You can discover our beautiful London stores by clicking here.

Your Design Appointment

While different companies will all have their own way of doing things, it’s important that you feel your requirements and ideas are listened to, and an appropriate level of expert support and guidance is offered. At The London Bath Co., we invite you to one of our showrooms for an in-depth consultation where we will discuss your project in detail and begin planning your design. One of our experienced designers will listen to your needs and understand your vision before taking measurements and sketching out ideas. Once we have found a layout that meets your needs, we will work together to tweak and refine the finishing touches until you are totally happy with every detail. Our state-of-the-art CAD renders give a beautifully detailed and accurate reflection of your space.

Surveying Your Bathroom

Once we have finished refining your design, we will need to come out and survey your space to make sure we have the correct measurements and to check the technical aspects of your plan are practically feasible. Surveying your bathroom is an essential part of ensuring your installation runs smoothly.

How should you prepare for your design appointment?

The more information you can give your bathroom designer, the easier it will be for both of you to bring your vision to life. Having a clear brief and a rough idea of the styles you like is a good place to start. We would also recommend bringing photos of your existing space, building plans, dimensions, and any visual inspiration with you to your appointment.

What Is The Bathroom Installation Process?

One of the most daunting aspects of any bathroom renovation is the installation process. We hope our guide answers some of your concerns and helps put your mind at rest.

Remove Your Existing Bathroom

First, your existing bathroom will need to be removed. This begins with removing tiles and flooring before disconnecting your sanitaryware and stripping the walls, and potentially even the ceiling back to studwork/brick.

Carry Out Any Building Work

If you are replacing any windows, doors or moving or reconstructing walls, this will be the next step after your bathroom is removed.

Complete First Fix Plumbing & Electrics

The main structure of your room should be complete. This allows the plumber and electrician to lay the pipes and wiring required for your new bathroom. Some services may need to be moved to suit your new layout and brought in line with current building regulations. Your floor will likely need to be lifted at this point.

Plastering Walls & Preparing Your Floor

Next, your walls, floor and potentially ceiling should be plastered and prepared ready for the final stages of installation.

Installing Your Bathroom Suite

Your shower, bath, basin and loo should all be ready for installation. Once they are fitted, the final plumbing and electrical connections will be made; this may also include installing your lighting. This step is often referred to as the second or final fix.

Tiling & Decorating

Now you’re ready to add the finishing touches to your space. It’s important your ceiling is painted before the walls are tiled if your tiles are intended to meet the ceiling at the top.

Ensuring your fitting team deliver a high-quality finish both visually and technically is key to the longevity of your space and so you will want to make sure you entrust your project to reliable and experienced bathroom specialists.

Should you opt for a fully managed bathroom renovation?

As you can see, there are many stages involved in a bathroom installation, and coordinating various tradespeople to make sure everything happens on schedule can be quite a challenge. You will also need to make sure all products and materials are delivered on time, even taking into account things like sink traps, waste kits, skirting boards, radiator valves and other small details. Any supply problems or delays in completing each stage will increase the time you spend without your bathroom. Opting for a fully-managed bathroom installation will certainly help minimise the stress involved in renovating your home, and should ensure your project runs smoothly, so you can look forward to using your flawless new bathroom as soon as possible.

What do you need to do to prepare?

You will need to remove your belongings from the room before work begins. It is also a good idea to remove artwork and mirrors from adjacent rooms, as vibrations from the renovation work could dislodge items fixed to the walls.

If you are renovating the only bathroom at your property, you may wish to make temporary arrangements to access the facilities you need. You should be able to have your toilet recoupled at the end of each day.

During your bathroom renovation, there will likely be multiple vehicles attending your property. If there are parking restrictions on your road, you will need to organise permits or inform tradespeople of any limits. You may also want to warn your neighbours of any potential noise disturbance.

Do you need to be at home during the renovation?

You do not need to be home during your bathroom renovation. However, it can be useful to make yourself available to hand over on the first morning and check the works with your project manager on the day of completion.

How long will your bathroom installation take?

On average, a renovation involving the replacement and refurbishment of an existing bathroom will take around 3 weeks to complete. If you are having more complex building work or tiling, the process may take longer. Here at The London Bath Co., we always give each of our clients an individual timeframe during which their project will be completed so that they are able to plan around it.

Can you use your bathroom during installation?

Once your bathroom has been removed, you will not be able to use your facilities until they are connected at the end of your project. If you have no alternative toilet, we recommend notifying your project manager so they can recouple your toilet at the end of each day. You may be able to use some facilities like your bath and basin before the tiling and decorating are complete.

Hopefully gaining a better insight into the bathroom design and installation process has helped you find the confidence you need to take the plunge and transform your bathroom into a beautiful oasis of calm and tranquillity. If you have any questions or would like to speak to our team about making your stunning new bathroom a reality, please give us a call on 020 7127 5235 or email [email protected].

 

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