Updating bathroom with a walk-in shower unit.

Our tub was removed, walk in shower in it's place, floor leveled toward the drain, walls and floor tiled over, hand faucet, shower heads, grab rails, seat, weighted curtain. We paid around £6000.

I haten to add much was DIY, we so enjoy DIY.

I decided to have my bathroom completely revamped a couple of years ago and investigated a few of the national companies who undertake the whole thing; removal of old fittings, replacement with new, updated plumbing and tiling. The average cost was £8000. Instead, I went to a local, independent and reputable bathroom shop; they reconfigured the layout to one that made much better use of the available space, helped me to choose fittings that I wouldn't have thought about, recommended different and better lighting and advised on a safer floor covering than tiles. They also arranged for one of their experienced plumbers/heating engineers to do the whole job. The price, including full length walk in shower, washbasin, toilet, shower screen, flooring, radiators, lighting and tiling, grab rail, taps and storage cabinets was £6000.

In our last house 7 years ago we had our bath replaced with a walk in shower unit. We kept the wash hand basin and the toilet. No grab rails. The walls around the shower were done in panels to tone with our tiles. An excellent job done by a company recommended by our son who had used them.
We moved to a bungalow 4 years ago with a shower over the bath fully intending to fit a walk in shower. Time passed, money was being spent like snow off a ditch and the walk in shower moved down the to do list.
Two years ago my sciatica landed with force and I was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance where I remained for 3 weeks. Discharged home to a hospital bed, with a continuing prescription for morphine. Multiple pain clinic appointments/injections have not helped and I use a rollater. We still had the shower over the bath. A care package ensured I had a full body wash each morning. Six months ago we had our walk in shower installed using the same company and having exactly tne same.work done adding grab rails.
It cost almost twice tne same job as 7 years ago. We consider each time that we had half a bathroom refurbished. Our recent one cost £5,500.
My point is that we should prepare for the future. Overnight my sciatica left me with mobility issues. I spent many months or so getting body washes. Hair washed over the wash hand basin. Even then we were waiting to see if my sciatica would improve and I could return to using the shower over the bath.
I suggest - Prepare for the unknown, the possible, the unexpected. And my chrome grab rails in my new walk in shower look very smart. Secured to the wall as I wouldnt trust the suction grab rails. Only my opinion.

I would just get a local plumber who comes with recommendations.
My friend used one of these firms that specialise in disabled bathrooms. They gave such a shoddy service, that he took them to court.
He said the large expensive tiles were falling off the wall, hadn’t bolted the loo to the floor, you get the picture?
When he complained they walked off the job.
They (company) won their case & he had to pay their court costs.
Basically he paid twice over. Original quote was for £19 grand.

We had a shower room converted i to a walk in bath/shower for my mum. Totally remodelled. Toilet, sink and bath/shower cubicle, tiles, decorated and flooring. We used a local plumbing company and it cost £12,000.

Three years ago I had my en-suite shower room completely re-done. For the previous 12 months I went to as many bathroom showrooms as I could, getting ideas and working out I liked and what I needed.

Used a local company, with them acting as Project Manager, so I did not have to do anything other than let them in each morning and make them mugs of tea, etc.

Comfort height toilet - wonderful, Non-slip Amtico tiles on floor. Wall mirrored cupboard which has a 'magic light', and is non-misting. I just wave my hand under it for light to be switched on/off. Inside I can charge my toothbrush.

In shower I have one normal grab rail, and one that actually acts as a corner holder for shampoo, etc. The totally non-slip base does not require me to use anything else in there.

The whole thing has fitted cupboards, making cleaning so very simple and easy. I also had the heavy wooden door taken off and replaced with a bi-fold - so if I did have a bad fall in there, I would not be blocking anyone trying to get entry to me.

The cost was frightening - cost me nearly double the amount that we paid for first house when we got married in 1984. end of terrace, Victorian 3 bed.

BUT....so glad I had this done, it is safe, easy to use, very easy to keep clean AND looks good

Franbern

Three years ago I had my en-suite shower room completely re-done. For the previous 12 months I went to as many bathroom showrooms as I could, getting ideas and working out I liked and what I needed.

Used a local company, with them acting as Project Manager, so I did not have to do anything other than let them in each morning and make them mugs of tea, etc.

Comfort height toilet - wonderful, Non-slip Amtico tiles on floor. Wall mirrored cupboard which has a 'magic light', and is non-misting. I just wave my hand under it for light to be switched on/off. Inside I can charge my toothbrush.

In shower I have one normal grab rail, and one that actually acts as a corner holder for shampoo, etc. The totally non-slip base does not require me to use anything else in there.

The whole thing has fitted cupboards, making cleaning so very simple and easy. I also had the heavy wooden door taken off and replaced with a bi-fold - so if I did have a bad fall in there, I would not be blocking anyone trying to get entry to me.

The cost was frightening - cost me nearly double the amount that we paid for first house when we got married in 1984. end of terrace, Victorian 3 bed.

BUT....so glad I had this done, it is safe, easy to use, very easy to keep clean AND looks good

What a good idea, bi-fold door 🤔

Thank you for asking this. We are thinking of having the same thing done. Will read the replies with interest.

I had mine done three years ago and I had a local plumber do the whole job for under half of what a local bathroom company quoted me! Bath out, new wallls, shower unit,grab rails, gorgeous glass screen and rubbish taken away in his skip. I love it too, no longer worrying about taking a shower and I was quids in. The plumber was recommended to me so maybe check with neighbours etc. I’m in the expensive bit of the south east by the sea so I was amazed to get it all done for around £3,000.

I had the shower room refurbed a year ago. Bought all fittings from Victorian Plumbing. Tiles from an online tile company.
Local Plumber fitted and used his electrician and tiler. Came to £6000 in all. Well worth it.

We’ve just had ours done. We went for a local, recommended family plumber. We thought the ones advertised were very expensive. FYI.

I'd love a grab rail.im 62. I cant fit anything in new- ish built house,not allowed.I got one of those suction ones but they often detach,thats extra dangerous...😟

Charleygirl5

I have an ordinary shower here, and I personally wouldn't have a walk-in one. I was in hospital last week, used the walk -in shower and was terrified I would slip on the tiniest amount of water.

I personally don't like grab rails. I know I am elderly but it emphasises it!

Ok I’m obviously hopelessly stupid but what is the difference between an ordinary shower and a walk in shower?
I can’t think of any other way to get into a shower.
Sorry for being thick

And why dont the council or housing authorities put in those 'proper' walk in showers,instead of the old fashioned looking ones with the rubberised flap doors? I had one of them years ago and it was already old& shabby when i moved in.And it leaked water out through the flaps.I asked if they would replace it but they refused.(and by then i had lived there over ten years & goodness knows how long previous tenant had it.)🤔The following year id had enough & moved out.

Don't bother with tiles. Get Shower Panels they are so much easier to keep clean. No discoloured grout, quick to fit and no more expensive.
We have a walk in shower and I love it. The most important thing to me is to have a powerful jet to wash me clean.

We went to Wickes who drew up plans and costings. Their workmen fitted it including under floor heating. It was a lot less than that quoted by a well reviewed local installer. It was done very quickly with a team of plumber, tiler, electrician and decorator who knew the product well so cracked on at a fast rate and we were not inconvenienced for long. This was about eight years ago and still looks very good and I love the roomy power shower.

Go and have a look at lots of show rooms. Ask for ideas and get several quotes. Best of luck!

there are some pretty grab rails nowadays so could be considered a piece of art!

Hi Nanny27. My assumption is that people have a shower above a bath rather than a separate unit. Others have a large step up . Then there are wet rooms - no barrier but the water can go on the loo and all of the floor. Personally I would avoid those

kjmpde

Hi Nanny27. My assumption is that people have a shower above a bath rather than a separate unit. Others have a large step up . Then there are wet rooms - no barrier but the water can go on the loo and all of the floor. Personally I would avoid those

Thanks for this. I hadn't thought of over-bath showers when people talk of ordinary ary showers.
I agree on wet rooms. I used to have one and spent ages drying everything after a shower.

My mother had a high sit in bath which fitted the same space as the original and a shower over. The sit in bath was a nightmare as you had to be in it while it filled.

She swapped out for a shower - you can keep costs down by having a shower tray the size of your bath footprint, and you can buy a shower with a back and side; the are called shower pods or cabins, so no tiling

Nanny27

kjmpde

Hi Nanny27. My assumption is that people have a shower above a bath rather than a separate unit. Others have a large step up . Then there are wet rooms - no barrier but the water can go on the loo and all of the floor. Personally I would avoid those

Thanks for this. I hadn't thought of over-bath showers when people talk of ordinary ary showers.
I agree on wet rooms. I used to have one and spent ages drying everything after a shower.

Over bath showers are great for you if you can get in and out of the bath but that gets significantly more difficult (or even down right dangerous) as you get older. Just bear in mind that you might end up spending twice just to be able to keep clean if your mobility deteriorates.

I have a fairly large shower in my ensuite which has a step up but is still manageable. I wouldn't want a wetroom which I assume is what people mean by a walk-in shower as the whole room can get wet. I really struggle with climbing into the bath when staying with my DD or DS and family as they have showers over the bath. I asked DD if I could use her ensuite with shower cubicle as I woud find it easier but she wasn;t keen so I struggled in the one in the bath. Next time she comes to stay maybe I should tell her to use the over the bath one in my bathroom not my ensuite!
I'm planning to move , hopefully in the next year or so and was quite concerned about ending up with a shower over the bath. I like the idea of having a door added to a bath. It looks fine and keeps the option for the grandchildren to use the bath if they come to stay. Hopefully I'll find a place with both like I have now but that would solve the problem if I only have a bathroom with a shower over the bath. This has been very informative!

Had a new shower installed as step in was 8" high and was looking to the future. This was an ensuite that had tiled shower and three walls half tiled. Floor was also tiled. I did not have a new sink unit or toilet installed as they are only 6 years old and in good condition. Plumber agreed no need to replace. Did have a new radiator installed. To remove all the tiling and shower, then replace shower unit, line with wall boards as well as the areas previously tiled and waterproof laminate on floor was £4.5k. The shower has a rainfall and a standard spray head and raindrop glass doors which are really easy to clean.

Very recently had a bathroom refit. It was completely gutted back to bare walls with new - electrics, radiator, water pipes & toilet relocated, lights, ceiling & window. Opted for a doorless walk in shower with a very low level shower tray that fills one wall. Had shower boards on all 3 sides of the shower - a grey marbled pattern shower board with plain white boards both ends of the grey so it's a feature wall now. Then had floor to ceiling tiles on remaining walls, fully fitted green storage unit which houses the comfort level (👍) toilet and sink. This has a white top which has the sink moulded into it so it's all one piece and looks very slick. Illuminated demisting mirror, new tiled floor. The tiles were a lot more than I'd have wanted to pay but I'd fell in love with the look they gave before asking the price 🥴. Used a local firm who charged £10,000 and did everything.