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Replacing bath with walk in shower. Cost?

(89 Posts)
Primrose53 Sun 12-Jan-25 19:28:02

My husband had a nasty stroke over 6 weeks ago and is still in hospital.

We have a small bathroom downstairs with a P shaped bath. We have said for ages that we wished we had a shower only as nobody really uses the bath but we never got round to it.

Now husband will never be able to get into the bath. I want it replaced with a walk in shower.

I invited a salesman yesterday who wasn’t pushy but I was quite shocked at the price £7,400. All the room is currently tiled and not old so I want to keep that. The floor tiles will also remain. So for that money I get bath taken out, shower tray, grab rails and one side of the bath will have tile boards over the tiles. It will take 3 days apparently and they can start in two weeks time. A new shower would be extra.

Normally I would discuss with husband but I want it all ready when he comes home.

I have paid a deposit but can cancel.

Does that seem a lot of money?

woodenspoon Sat 18-Jan-25 17:52:46

We had a walk in shower fitted, all new basin, wc, tiles etc. a local plumber did it and we got quotes from checkatrade plus references. We used local people rather than a nationwide company. We are very happy with it. Just a flat shower tray and full length glass screen.

karmalady Sat 18-Jan-25 17:56:24

Primrose.my neighbour was discharged from hospital after a stroke, with a full care package of two carers three times a day. He could not stand, could not move in his bed etc. He would not have been able to use any shower. He fell from his wheelchair at home and that made him feel unsafe and scared so he opted for nursing home care after that

Re your alterations Primrose, please check with the OT first

MissAdventure Sat 18-Jan-25 17:56:33

The only ever new venture for me, ever, was a new bathroom.

The plumber asked "wouldn't you like a wet room? It may work out a little cheaper?"

I poo poohed the idea (pardon the pun!) thinking why on earth would I need a wet room, and now I really do need one!

PoliticsNerd Sat 18-Jan-25 18:01:20

M0nica

You can turn your existing bath into a walk-in shower, providing your bath is plastic.

A hole is cut in the side of the bath and lined. DS's mother-in-law had this done to her bath a few months ago and she is delighted by it. It cost well under £1,000. For an extra amount they will also fit a water tight door so that you can continue to use the bath. However DS's MiL was content just to have the ability to step into the bath and use it as a shower.

The company who do it are called Convertabath and their website is convertabath.co.uk

It would get good if there was somewhere on GN to keep a list of these things. I've never heard of this being done.

MissAdventure Sat 18-Jan-25 18:03:40

It really would.

Sometimes threads start, and fill up with bits and bobs of helpful stuff, but we could do with a comprehsive list that could help anyone, at least to know which way to turn.

MissAdventure Sat 18-Jan-25 18:54:56

I think gransnet used to have a page that contained info, at one time.

Primrose53 Sat 18-Jan-25 21:54:50

karmalady

Primrose.my neighbour was discharged from hospital after a stroke, with a full care package of two carers three times a day. He could not stand, could not move in his bed etc. He would not have been able to use any shower. He fell from his wheelchair at home and that made him feel unsafe and scared so he opted for nursing home care after that

Re your alterations Primrose, please check with the OT first

OT is coming out on Tuesday to look at our home. I have cancelled the work I had rushed into and they say they are refunding my deposit.

I am quite proactive but I did rush into this. I just wanted to get him home and work round his current problems. According to the physio and OT he is still making some progress so they cannot say whether he will walk again. His right arm does nothing.

There is no way my husband would go into a home and I wouldn’t let him. He is only 71 and was very fit and active and still working.

MissAdventure Sat 18-Jan-25 22:05:18

The lady I knew, primrose, her whole left side was paralysed by a stroke, but she worked at it, and could manage a very productive life, including cross stitch, cooking, (wonderful cakes!) self care, and trundling around with a trolley (as much to hold her supplies, as to steady herself)

Her hand on her bad side she could use as a pincer, to hold and steady things, and she would tuck things under her arm to carry them, too.

In short, there was nothing she couldn't do, more or less.

It can be amazing, how far people can improve.

Tiley Sun 19-Jan-25 10:01:02

It is amazing what cures and help there is out there. Whatever your problems are please never ever give up on life

Franbern Wed 22-Jan-25 08:59:31

MOnica have you used Converta bath? I would really like to know if they do as they say on the tin!!!
Would like to have a door cut into an existing bath (5 years old - and not a lot of use as in Guest bathroom). Nice over it and still want to be able to use as a bath on a few occasions.

So, not willing to have new bath fitted,but would love tobe able tohave that 'walk in' space plus door fitted.

MissAdventure Wed 22-Jan-25 09:07:34

Franbern

It sounds as if they do exactly what you're looking for.
Someone phoned them after reading this thread, and they were going to come and take a look very quickly, plus they are really reasonably priced.

M0nica Wed 22-Jan-25 15:38:57

Franbern, I haven't but DS's MiL has and I have seen it, we are good friends. It has been in about 3 months and she is really happy with it. In expensive, done in half a day and very little mess.

However, she has not had the door fitted, just the step-in.

Madmeg Wed 22-Jan-25 18:07:17

Well, the two chaps (boss and assistant) came today, arrived early but sat outside till the agreed time (early!). Got down to the job at once, never stopped except to query a couple of things. 4 hours later, job done, all tidied, debris removed.

Done exactly as expected. £599 for the "main thing" plus £30 for chrome grab rail (supplied and installed) plus £20 fitting of new shower screen and £20 for bath panel (both bought by us cos old ones needed replacing anyway).

I can see that for some a "proper" walk in shower would be best (and more expensive) but we already have one in another area of the house if needed, so did not want the expense of a second. The bath is effectively still there for a future buyer to replace it if needed. DH can step into it safely.

The entrance into the bath could be made so it could be used as a walk-in bath but the extra cost would be a lot more (c £1,500 - £2,000). I've also realised that if you want that facility you (clearly) have to get into the bath before filling it with water, and wait till the water has all drained before getting out again. I am shivering at the thought already!!

So for us, it is brilliant.

I am hoping I can attach a pic of it.