As a nation, we’ve never had such an appetite for DIY. We devour home improvement and building programmes on television, and every Bank Holiday weekend the DIY shops are full to bursting with people buying paint or new bathroom tiles. Most of us are confident that we can tackle the small DIY jobs around the house such as putting up shelves or decorating the spare bedroom. But what about larger projects like replacing a bathroom suite and you're contemplating "Can I install my new bathroom myself"?
Knowing Your Limits
A bit of ambition and desire to push yourself is a good thing. But if the sum total of your DIY experience is hanging a few pictures, then a major project like doing up a bathroom probably isn’t for you. If however you’ve taken on projects like changing taps and are only thinking of doing a like for like replacement of your bathroom suite rather than changing the layout of the whole room, it might be achievable. As well as your expertise, think about how long it is going to take to do the job. Are you going to work in the evening or at weekends? How will the family cope without access to the bathroom while work is going on? What tools would you need to buy or hire to get the job done?
Getting Quotes for Bathroom Installation
If you are unsure about whether it is financially worth it to go ahead and do the work yourself, it is often a good idea to contact some local bathroom fitters or plumbers and ask them to quote for doing the work. Always get in touch with at least three fitters, ask them to quote for doing the same job, and remember to add in extras such as VAT and the costs of disposing of your old bathroom. As a rough guide, expect to pay £400 to £500 for a professional fitter to install a new toilet, sink and bath. If you are changing the layout of your bathroom, costs will rise. Always get quotes in writing, and compare them carefully to make sure you opt for the one which offers you the best value for money.
Saving Money on Bathroom Installation
It may be that after seeing the quotes, you decide to go ahead and complete the job yourself, especially if you already have a lot of the tools which you will need. If you are pleasantly surprised by the quotes and get the professionals in, you can still save cash by doing bits of the work yourself. Make sure the bathroom has been completely cleared out so that the plumbers can get straight to work. Check that the suite you have bought comes complete with all the fixings and if not, buy them in. You could also consider taking on the job of removing your old bathroom suite and disposing of it, which will save time and money on the plumber’s bill. Just remember the golden rule of plumbing – always switch the water off at the mains before trying to take things apart.
