Replacing bath with walk in shower. Cost?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

I booked a new ensuite job in in August 2024, and it's now looking like February or March.
I know he isn't fibbing, because I've seen his vans on another job in town.
My garage has all the stuff in it waiting to be fitted.

I waited a couple of months but they could have started sooner. One of the guys also returned recently to fit a new kitchen tap. I recommended the firm to my neighbour, which I only do if absolutely sure, and she was equally delighted with work.

Caleo

Bella Bella, how long did you have to wait before the work was done? I have heard plumbers are very busy.

It’s not so much “busy” many/most small plumbers are self employed and restrict their work to stay below the VAT threshold, 20% on the cost plus 40% tax means they are working for nothing, so they go fishing or play golf.

A bidet , sitz bath style, plus strip washing while seated on the bidet might be a way to go, and a lot cheaper. There are 'comfort height ' bidets that can be flanked by secure hand rails

Onetoein, slideboard, bath cushion and rented starelift. All such useful information. I wonder these innovations are not advertised more on the usual media.

Bella Bella, how long did you have to wait before the work was done? I have heard plumbers are very busy.

I used a local plumber last year. Mine was relatively straightforward as kept shower that was above the bath. Cost with VAT was just under £2000.

Have you somewhere you could have a wet room put in but still keep your bathroom. You will then have the.option of a bath or shower.

Maya1

My late DH had 2 strokes and l was the same as you Primrose. I wanted everything sorted before he was able to come home.
It is a two year wait here in Cambridgeshire for anything over a £1000.00. My DH would have needed stairlift, adapted shower etc.
I also got quotes like you, mine were as high as £9000.00 just to remove bath and put shower in. In the end a lovely local company quoted £2500.00.
Please be careful as there some people who will take advantage of you. I hope your husband continues to improve and recover.

Thank you so much Mayal.

And also everybody else. Really appreciate your opinions.

My late DH had 2 strokes and l was the same as you Primrose. I wanted everything sorted before he was able to come home.
It is a two year wait here in Cambridgeshire for anything over a £1000.00. My DH would have needed stairlift, adapted shower etc.
I also got quotes like you, mine were as high as £9000.00 just to remove bath and put shower in. In the end a lovely local company quoted £2500.00.
Please be careful as there some people who will take advantage of you. I hope your husband continues to improve and recover.

Hi don't rush in. I found a slideboard (£20) meant I could sit down then lift my legs over the bath. Then either stay seated or stand up for a shower! Also I'm under going chemo & was told best to bath to keep picc line dry. Partner bought a bath cushion, that inflates and even lowers & raises me into the bath (£399). Not major alteration and easy for carers to use. Good luck and speedy recovery. Ps second stair lift I rented, the purchased for about (£500)

BellaBella55

Goodness, I’m surprised how little some folk have paid. I had existing walk in shower - which had a tray - replaced with level wet room about three years ago. Room fully tanked (which I believe is mandatory) and tiled. Cost including fittings, tiling, underfloor heating (a necessity as far as I’m concerned) etc. was about £11k. I don’t regret a penny of it. Fantastic job done by local tradesmen who have all 10/10 reviews on Which Trusted Trader - which is my go to when I need stuff doing

The firm I was going to go with was with Which? Trusted Trader. Will post again and say what I think of them when they refund my deposit. 😉