Choosing a Bathroom Supplier and Fitter

Building or remodelling a bathroom is one of the most important projects you will ever undertake. The bathroom is one of the most used spaces in any home, so it is important to create a layout that is practical. The floor plan for a bathroom is just as important as the choice in décor and fittings. Choosing an experienced and qualified bathroom supplier and fitter is also crucial in ensure a professional finish.

Creating an Effective Bathroom Floor Plan

The layout of your bathroom will depend on the amount of space available. For smaller spaces, there may only be room for a sink and toilet. Larger bathrooms can be divided into different areas with separate and distinct spaces for your shower and bath, toilet, and sink and vanity. How the floor plan is configured will go back to how you intend to use the space as well as your budget.

An effective bathroom floor plan is practical as well as aesthetically appealing. When designing the layout, the intended use of the space must be the driving consideration. This will help ensure the floor plan is functional by having fixtures in locations that are accessible and practical. Careful thought must be given to where each fitting will be placed as well as the location of vents and electrical wiring and outlets. The placement of water pipes is also an important consideration and will inform where key fittings will be placed, including the bath, shower, sink, toilet, and heating fixtures such as radiators. The location of water and electrical works must be determined before placing any fitting.

A bathroom's layout must provide sufficient space to meet your needs not only space to fit all of your planned fixtures. For example, the bathroom door should be easy to move and there should be enough space to move around when performing tasks like drying yourself off or getting dressed. Counter space should also meet the needs of individuals using the bathroom. There should sufficient storage space, an often overlooked aspect of many layouts. The toilet should also be installed away from the door to provide some privacy in case the door is left open.

Finding the Right Fittings

There are plenty of options to choose from when selecting fittings, so finding the right ones can be a daunting task. Before buying any fittings, it might be helpful to establish a theme. This will help focus your search while also creating a complementary design and uniform look for your bathroom. Planning before buying also helps avoid the task of finding fittings from becoming overwhelming. Making a list of all fixtures needed for your bathroom will help you narrow your search and find the right fittings. Keeping in mind your theme will also help you devise an appropriate list and keep you on track.

Once you have compiled a list, you can start pricing fittings. Doing some preliminary online research will help you determine price ranges for the fittings you want. It will also help you establish a realistic budget. You can also send the list to bathroom suppliers. The list should be sent to at least three suppliers. You can then use the costing information from your own research to compare them with what suppliers are proposed to determine what the best option is to buy your fittings. To keep costs down, look out for sales especially for more expensive items.

Choosing the Best Contractor

Look for bathroom fitters that are members of a trade organisation or association. This is one way to find reputable and qualified contractors. Examples include the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA), the Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Trade Association from FairTrades and the Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (iKBBI). Suppliers may also be members of associations that deal with certain aspects of bathroom design and fitting, such as The Tile Association (TTA). When using a plumber to undertake any water-related such as installing pipes, only use contractors that are certified under a Competent Person Scheme such as the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). Several other schemes also certify bathroom fitters including Benchmark, NAPIT, Certsure, Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA), and Stroma. Being registered with one of these schemes means the plumber meets minimum training requirements. You should also independently verify the contractor's certifications and qualifications as well as request proof of insurance. Check references and look at online reviews to determine the quality of their work. To ensure you are getting a fair quote, get estimates from at least three different bathroom contractors.