If spending more time at home has made you realise that your bathroom could do with an overhaul, you may be wondering where to begin. A bathroom renovation can feel like a big project, but the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has offered some advice to hopefully make it go smoothly.
One of the first decisions you need to make is whether you are going to renovate your existing bathroom and leave the layout broadly the same, or whether you’re going to start from scratch. The latter option is understandably more disruptive and will be more expensive.
If you want to keep your bathroom revamp to a lower budget, then a simple update is what’s recommended by the FMB, where you replace the fixtures and fittings but leave everything broadly where it is.
When you’re considering the new layout for your bathroom, as well as what fixtures you’ll introduce, you should think carefully about who will be using this space.
If you or anyone in your family suffers from mobility issues, then it could certainly be sensible to explore your options for a walk in bath shower combo, or any other kind of accessible bath or shower unit.
Even if your mobility is good now, think about how long you plan to stay in your current property and whether you want to future-proof it by opting for an easy-access option. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style, as accessible bathrooms can look great.
Meanwhile, the FMB pointed out that anyone with young children will want to choose fixtures that are easy to clean, as well as showers and/or baths that are non-slip.
Another top tip from the organisation is to choose a bigger basin if you have space for one. “Wall-hung and semi-pedestal basins can give you a greater sense of floor space and allow you to set the height at which they are fixed,” the organisation noted.
If anyone in your home uses a wheelchair, this will not only give them space to easily access the basin, but will also mean that you can choose to mount the basin at a height where it’s accessible to them.
An article for Asia One recently highlighted some of the top considerations for bathroom redesigns too. Among the suggestions from the news provider to help make this part of your home safer and more accessible is to consider including grab rails, anti-slip tiles and a shower bench.
All of these are affordable modifications you can make, but ones that could make it significantly easier for someone with mobility issues to use the bathroom without assistance.
If you’re wondering how much you need to budget for a bathroom revamp, the FMB has come up with some rough calculations to help you get started, although it does point out that the amount you spend will vary considerably depending on the fixtures and fittings you choose.
On average, however, fitting a new bathroom will cost from £3,000, with the average price of this kind of work coming in at £4,500.
If you are interested in finding out more information call us on 01491 411041 or visit our website www.absolutemobility.co.uk
