What a full bathroom install actually includes
Strip-out and skip hire, structural work (stud walls moved, joists notched), first-fix plumbing (hot/cold runs, waste re-route, soil stack adjustments), first-fix electrics (shaver socket, fan, downlights, underfloor heating wiring), plaster and tanking, full tiling (walls, floor, niches), second-fix plumbing (suite, shower, taps, valves), second-fix electrics (test and certificate), decoration, silicone, snag walk-through and aftercare booklet. All in one quote.
Wet rooms vs bath-and-shower-over vs walk-in
Wet rooms (fully tanked, level-access drainage) suit ground-floor extensions and modern open layouts, non-negotiable on the waterproofing. Bath-with-shower-over suits family homes with kids and resale priority in a 3-bed semi. Walk-in shower enclosures (1200x800 or 1400x900) are the best compromise for a master ensuite where the bath is rarely used. We'll talk through what fits the household and the property type, not push you to the highest-margin option.
Tile types, grout and longevity
Porcelain tiles (rectified edge) for floors, harder, lower water absorption, last 30+ years. Ceramic for walls, lighter, easier to cut around niches. Natural stone (marble, travertine) for premium spec, requires annual sealing. We use Mapei Ultracolor Plus grout (no efflorescence, anti-mould) on every job; standard grout fails within 4 years in a wet area.
Plumbing upgrades that pay back
Replacing 15mm with 22mm hot feeds dramatically improves shower performance. Fitting an unvented cylinder (Megaflo, Telford) gives mains-pressure hot water to taps and showers, life-changing in a Victorian house on a header tank. Thermostatic mixer valves (TMVs) prevent scalding and are required for any new build install. We'll spec the right upgrades based on your mains flow rate.
Building regulations, Part P and Part G
Bathroom electrics fall under Part P, must be installed by a registered electrician (we have in-house). Hot water systems fall under Part G, unvented cylinders require a G3 ticketed engineer (we have in-house). We notify building control on completion and you receive certificates for both, which your solicitor will ask for on sale.