New-build: tearing out bath & replacing with double-shower?

[Joonyer]

Hi all,

Moving into a new-build soon, and there's no options for the bathroom. First-world problems and all that, but I don't like standing in a bath to shower - and I don't have baths.

I want to replace it with a nice double-shower - easier to wash the dogs too.

In your professional opinion, is this typically a ballache? In my ignorant view, I'm assuming it's just a case of: tear out bath + necessary tiles, bang holes in wall, re-route pipework as needed, patch up wall, fit new shower enclosure, re-tile, seal and go.

Fair? It's only 1.7x2.2m so not exactly a massive bathroom. I'm hoping it'd cost in the low to mid single digits of thousands but I've no idea.

Just canvassing for opinions really, cheers
Matt

 

[Cocat2517]

Yep, pretty much straight forward, I did this myself. Removed an old bath, boarded walls with moisture board, coated with tanking liquid, rerouted pipes (inc waste), fitted double shower tray (on legs), fit bar shower fixing plate, tiled walls, grout, fit sliding shower door (gave tile adhesive and grout a week to fully cure before drilling into them for door), sealant around, attach bar shower + waste, etc.

 

[Cocat2517]

Budget wise, it really varies. For me, roughly..

Shower tray £80
Door £140
Shower £100
Moisture board, tanking, tiles etc £160
Pipes, wastes, sealant etc £30

You could easily spend twice that or even five times that. I went to Victorian Plumbing & Wickes.

 

[Joonyer]

Thanks gents. I should point out I'll have a professional do it (my attempt would be the definition of multiple bodges, and poor ones at that), and I'm not gonna skimp on it. Finally free of the wife so I'm gonna make this place just how I want it, and a big walk in shower with rainfall and all that is exactly what I'm gonna do.

Just unsure if should expect to spend 2, 4, or 6 grand essentially, but I know it'll vary widely. Plus I'll never go with the lowest quote - I'm happy to pay for quality workmanship and experience - it's just complete ignorance of knowing a sensible "ball-park" I spose!

thanks again,
Matt

 

[Cocat2517]

Can't really help you with a cost I'm afraid, I tend to diy everything as I can't afford tradesmen. Buying good quality stuff and getting someone in I wouldn't expect to pay more than 2500 though, but that's a bit if a guess.

And....

 

[ETAF]

we recently redid a bathroom and ensuite, and going around the sheds and specialist bath stores - we had prices ranging from £25K minimum per room !!!!!!! to around 10K all in for both rooms, new floors, new ceilings , new partition wall, electrics etc. Much too cheap, when I got into the detail.
So i did purchase all the stuff myself, and found some really good installers , that put it all together to my spec and design. 14K all in - where everything in painted fitted sealed - family bathroom with shower and an ensuite shower room

So pricing will vary , what i did find out , its not as straight forward as a kitchen!!

 

[Joonyer]

we recently redid a bathroom and ensuite, and going around the sheds and specialist bath stores - we had prices ranging from £25K minimum per room !!!!!!! to around 10K all in for both rooms, new floors, new ceilings , new partition wall, electrics etc. Much too cheap, when I got into the detail.
So i did purchase all the stuff myself, and found some really good installers , that put it all together to my spec and design. 14K all in - where everything in painted fitted sealed - family bathroom with shower and an ensuite shower room

So pricing will vary , what i did find out , its not as straight forward as a kitchen!!

Thanks buddy - I did think as I wrote this thread it's very much a "how long is a piece of string" and "you get what you pay for" kind of question. Again I'll not skimp on materials, but I'm not looking to make it Trump Tower either. Equally I don't want to employ someone with 5 months' experience to do it as a foreigner on his way to the pub on a Friday evening.

In fact, I've just thought... I'm pretty pally with the site manager of the development, so I might ask him to link me up with the plumbing people for an opinion. They'll have fitted it from beginning to end, so they'll have the knowledge from square 1 to know the scale of the job...! Can't imagine the tiler will be too happy to rip all his hard work off 3 weeks later but still, it's all experience and cash in the pocket isn't it.

Thanks again mate, glad you got yourself a deal you were happy with!
Matt

@Mods can close this now, ta

 

[Razor900]

A lot of it depends where the existing services are. If the bath waste comes in relatively high you may need extensive alterations to the soil pipework

 

[garyo]

A lot of it depends where the existing services are. If the bath waste comes in relatively high you may need extensive alterations to the soil pipework

Just what I was thinking... The nicest showers are all close to being flush with the floor. Your floor joists may have something to say about it!