en-suite renewal

We use a small local company for our bathrooms and kitchens. They project manage everything down to the painting at the end. Unfortunately we are in the Midlands but I find small independent companies the best.

Same here fran. The owner of a small company did all the work in ours and managed deliveries to suit. Unfortunately he’s retired now and while his company remains in name it works differently. If you use the NextDoor site or maybe Facebook either could be a good source of recommendation for a similar company. Totally agree with you about costs. All so much more expensive now.

Small local business did mine , and negotiated lots of discount on the suite

I would definitely agree with contacting smaller local companies to carry out all the work from top to bottom. Often the bathroom section can be tucked up the back of their kitchen showroom.
We are on the case here, but unfortunately too far down the M5 to offer you recommendations. Probably thinking £10k ish.

Go on personal recommendation. I employed a local plumber to replace my en suite who did everything and did it well, just slightly unreliable on time-keeping.

We too had a local plumber. Only replaced leaking shower cubicle but he had a team of painter and tiler and project managed very well. Even bought a couple of sample tiles. Quick, reliable and always in touch. High end shower etc £9k in SE. From Which trusted traders

Could you call a local builder's merchants and ask them?
Don't ask for recommendations as they won't do that but you could say "I'm looking for a local firm that does xyz - could you please give me a couple of names of people who I could ask? Tell them you are not looking for recommendations and I think they will "suggest you try" someone.

I have used this method successfully for all sorts.

The other way is yo engage (say) a plumber and ask their advice re a tiler/decorator. That is obviously separate businesses but my super-fabulous tiler came via a plumber!

We have a local admag and the local newspaper also has tradesmen ads, expect a good fitter to have clients booked up so a wait can be expected.

How about posting the whole job on Which Trusted Traders, and getting quotes?
We nearly always use that means of finding tradesmen now.

I'd go to one of the big stores to buy the stuff since it's likely to be cheaper than if you go to a smaller shop that specialises in bathrooms.

I’ve found checkatrade to be good. You pst your job and tradesmen reply to offer quotes etc. You can read all their previous reviews on the site. Go for someone who gets 9/10 or 10/10 from a lot of previous customers. Ask the tradesperson if you can speak to a previous client yourself

Some shops down here it’s Tileflair, Wicks and others, have a board that tradespeople leave their cards on. But, a recommendation by a neighbour, friend, churchgoer or someone else in your social circle is the best source.
Fortunately, we have friends in all the trades and used them for our kitchen, but that doesn’t help you!

My jobs mustn't be as lucrative as yours Suzie - or I'm in an area with everyone booked up.
I have tried this twice and never had a single quote!

Big companies like Wicks will design and install bathrooms with their trusted tradesmen. They did ours quickly and efficiently. Not all items were from their stock though most were.

We did ours through Wickes - who put us in contact with an excellent fitter, plumber and tiler. Wickes designed and supplied the sanitary fittings and furniture, and the tiler advised on what was needed for flooring and walls, and negotiated a discount on the tiles with his supplier. It was all done very quickly and the result was lovely.

You are only entitled to pay no VAT if the item is specifically for the disabled, so a normal basin would not be exempt but specialised taps may be.

I wanted to gut our family bathroom but was put off by the cost. I got a lovely Polish couple to regrout what was looking past it's sell by date and redo the seals around the bath. They did a great job of cleaning all the tiles as well . I have never had such polite people do any work for me they were lovely.