Selecting the right bathroom fitter or contractor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your bathroom renovation project. With the wrong fitter, your project could go over budget, fall behind schedule, or have shoddy workmanship. However, the right professional bathroom fitter will transform your space beautifully and efficiently. In this article, we’ll guide you through what to look for when vetting and hiring bathroom fitters.
Table of Contents
Experience Level
An experienced bathroom fitter will have extensive expertise in transforming all types and sizes of bathrooms. Look for the following experience:
- Years in business – Choose a bathroom fitter that has been operating successfully for 5+ years. This indicates they have staying power and happy customers.
- Past project examples – Verify they have significant experience doing whole bathroom renovations similar to yours. Ask to see photos of past bathrooms they’ve fitted.
- Specialized expertise – Some bathroom fitters specialize in certain types of jobs like small baths or wet rooms. Make sure they have specialized expertise to handle the details of your project.
Reviews and References
Don’t just take a bathroom fitter’s word when they say they do great work. Verify their claims through reviews and references.
- Online reviews – Check review sites like Trustpilot and Google to see real customer feedback. Be wary of fitters with no or low reviews.
- References – Ask the bathroom fitter for 2-3 past customer references. Call them to ask if they were satisfied with the fitter’s work and professionalism.
- Memberships – See if they belong to recognized bathroom fitting organizations, which indicate quality standards.
Services Offered
To complete your bathroom renovation from start to finish, make sure the fitter offers most or all of the following services:
- Demolition and preparation
- Plumbing work
- New wall and floor tiling
- Installation of bathroom fixtures/appliances
- Electrical work
- Decorative touches like new lighting or shelving
- Project management from design to completion
Going with a full-service fitter streamlines the process versus hiring different contractors for each job.
Preparing for Your Bathroom Fitting Project
Careful preparation is invaluable for an efficient bathroom installation process. It gives your bathroom fitter exactly what they need to complete a top-quality job. Use these tips to prepare.
Measure Your Bathroom
Provide your bathroom fitter with detailed measurements of your existing bathroom, including:
- Dimensions of the whole room
- Location of plumbing, electrical, windows, and doors
- Size specifications for where new fixtures/appliances will go
Accuracy here prevents surprises or delays once the work begins.
Set Your Budget
Have a clear budget before requesting quotes from bathroom fitters so you select an affordable contractor. Factor in costs for:
- Fitter’s labor
- All materials/fixtures
- Specialized needs like relocating plumbing
- Contingency fund for unexpected issues
Share your budget with your fitter upfront so they design an appropriate project scope.
Choose Fixtures and Materials
Decide on the new sinks, toilets, tiles, lighting, and other fixtures for your bathroom. This allows the fitter to efficiently purchase what’s needed and take precise measurements.
You might also select the fitter first and seek their recommendations on optimal fixtures and materials.
The Bathroom Fitting Process
When hiring a professional bathroom fitter, you can expect the following phased process from demolition to completion.
Demolition and Preparation
First, the old bathroom components like outdated fixtures, sinks, tiles, and wall surfaces are safely removed and disposed of. Your fitter will also ensure:
- Working electricity and plumbing are protected
- Ventilation is set up
- The room is prepped for new installation
Plumbing
Next, your bathroom’s plumbing system is updated to accommodate the new layout and fixtures like:
- Installing new water supply lines and drainage
- Relocating pipes and drains if needed
- Upgrade old galvanized piping if present
Your fitter handles all complex plumbing work.
Tiling
New water-resistance backing panels may be installed before laying aesthetically pleasing tiles on the floor, walls, and in the shower. Your fitter expertly measures, cuts, and grouts the tiles for seamless results.
Installation of Fixtures
The exciting part arrives when your fitter installs the elegant new sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other fixtures you’ve selected to match your dream bathroom design. The space comes to life.
Decorative Touches
Finally, your fitter adds decorative touches like:
- Mounting mirrors
- Installing bathroom cabinets for storage
- Upgrading lighting fixtures
- Adding accessories like shelves, towel bars, or new window dressings
This completes the transformation.
Working with Your Bathroom Fitter
During the bathroom installation process, you’ll work closely with your bathroom fitter. Here are tips for a positive, productive relationship:
Communication
- Have regular check-ins to inspect progress and address questions
- Discuss any changes from the original plan immediately.
- Give feedback on work completed so far
- Provide prompt decisions if the fitter needs approvals
Good communication leads to better results.
Address Any Issues
- If problems occur, like delays or subpar tile work, address them promptly with the fitter.
- Stay solution-oriented to get the project back on track.
- Depending on the severity, consider contract penalties or even terminating the contract.
Don’t let issues linger without resolution.
Inspect the Work
As sections are finished, inspect them thoroughly against your specifications, including:
- Tile alignment and grout consistency
- Sink/fixture functionality and appearance
- Painted surfaces have full coverage and no drips
Request corrections or touch-ups for any deficiencies before final payment.
Completing Your Bathroom Fitting Project
The finish line is in sight! Adhere to the following steps to close out your project:
Schedule Final Walkthrough
The fitter leads you through the completely renovated bathroom for a final inspection. Bring your contract to check fixtures, finishes, plumbing, and electrical work meet agreed-upon standards.
Make Final Payment
Once you’ve signed off that all contract conditions were met properly without deficiencies, submit the final payment to your bathroom fitter. This is often 10-15% of the total project cost reserved until the end.
Enjoy Your New Bathroom!
Give yourself a pat on the back! With your sparkling new dream bathroom, get ready to relax in the tub or pamper yourself at the vanity for years to come. Be sure to pass your fitter’s name on to friends for their future bathroom projects!
Conclusion
Selecting the ideal bathroom fitter sets the stage for a successful, stress-free bathroom renovation. Look for an experienced full-service professional fitter with glowing reviews. Handle preparation, like measurements and materials decisions, before work begins. Maintain excellent communication throughout the installation process and address any issues immediately that arise. Your diligence leads to opening the door to your revamped bathroom that looks beautiful and functions flawlessly for your household. Lastly, partner with professional bathroom fitters who transform your ideas into reality with expertise, diligence, and care.
FAQs
Q: How long does a bathroom installation take?
Most bathroom installation projects range from 2-4 weeks from start to finish. Complex jobs with structural changes can last 1-2 months.
Q: Can I do a bathroom remodel myself?
In theory, you can self-renovate your bathroom. But plumbing and electrical work has serious risks if done incorrectly. Hiring a professional bathroom fitter is highly recommended.
Q: What questions should I ask prospective bathroom fitters?
Key questions include years in business, past project examples with customer references, types of services offered, timeline estimations, how change orders are handled, insurance and licenses verified, and warranty details.
Q: When should I pay for my bathroom fitter?
The typical payment schedule is as follows:
- 25% down to start a project
- 25% at the halfway point
- The remaining 50% only after passing the final inspection
Q: Should I be at home during the bathroom installation?
You don’t need to be onsite constantly. But you should meet with your fitter regularly to inspect progress and address any roadblocks in a timely fashion. Also, be present for the final walkthrough.
