You have run through your checklist of final questions and are at the point of no return. What should you expect to be told or recieve at this final stage to the bathroom design and purchase process? It is important to understand that your trust in the bathroom company should not get in the way of expecting good business practice. I have provided a checklist and indication of what to expect from a reasonably well organised bathroom company. If you have a bathroom quote it will be usefull to run through my list to see if everything is included that needs to be.
The furniture option should indicate manufacturer, range,style and finish. Each item should be sized for height width and depth. Drawers and interior spec should be detailed. plinth height should be clearly shown (200mm is popular to allow for soil pipe runs under the base units but is ugly to look at ). matching end panels to doors or special end panels should be detailed.
Handle type and finish is agreed with quantities and price.
Cornice and lightrail are listed in lengths or total length with material type and price ie laminate, veneer, or solid wood.
Worktops are listed with type and finish aswell as total length at least indicated. Cut outs for basins and taps should be indicated on solid tops. Price should be a lump sum if agreed, or individual piece prices.
Any special furniture features should be detailed and priced.
Bathroom equipment should be individually detailed and priced stating finish , make and model numbers.
Heated towel rails ( if for central heating ) should be detailed showing whether with dual option for winter and summer, with wattage of the element insert detailed and thermostat. ( a useful option but often ignored). Radiator valves need to match and be detailed for thermostatic or not.
Wall tiles if included are shown as a total in metres with sq metre price indicated. Borders or decor tiles are shown with quantities and price or a pc sum for all . Grout colour is always left for the tiler and is often badly chosen in the designers absense
Floor tiles or alternative if included are shown as total in metres with sq metre price indicated and any detail borders etc .Type of adhesive and grout to show it is correct for timber or solid floors should be stated.
Light fittings, shaving sockets, and extractor are shown with type and price,
Mirror options should be detailed with options for lights and de-mist pads shown ( electrics need to be added for both )
A plumbing specification should show clearly what items are included, and any extras such as pumps , tanks, concealed cisterns etc. There should also be an indication of what shower tray is being anticipated ie slim recessed or raised.Worktops should indicate who is fitting them, ie the fitter or specialist hard surface company. If bathroom equipment is individually priced then I would still expect to see a price for pipework and fixings for first and second fix on bigger projects ( a lump sum will not help you have a clear picture of what is included if the plumber holds his hand out for more ). A replacement soil stack outside can add well over £500 for instance, and can easily be ignored to keep a quote low. It is very common for plumbing quotes not to take into account the price of upgrading cold and hot water supply for power showers for instance, leading to a bill for £1000 to upgrade later when the water runs out.
Furniture installation should indicate whether the furniture is standard or a special size ( you should know if it is going to be butchered on site). I would expect to see individual furniture items shown as a unit fitted price with Easyquote because this is easy to understand ie 5 items @ £50.
Electrics if included should indicate whether an rcd is required, and include all items whether switches , fused spurs, sockets, cooker points etc . All items should be priced and specified indicating that the hardware is included. If there is a first and second fix it is useful to have seperate pricing for each. Certification will need to be provided at the end.
Floor tiling if included should state how many sq metres and what type of adhesive and grout to show it is correct for timber or solid floors.
Vinyl flooring or alternatives should indicate sq metres or box quantity and type of fixing and adhesives quantity.
Plastering if included should state whether skimming , board and skim, or base and topcoat.
Extra joinery if required such as thresholds or door reduction for floor tiling should be priced and specified.
Skirting finishing off and architraves should be included. It is often forgotten and charged as an extra at the end
It is necessary to know how long the delivery of your bathroom will take and have it included on the contract even if the installation is not finalised. I would still be cautious about proceeding without both of these dates. It is also necessary to know who is storing the bathroom equipment, and whether space is required at your house for any items. I would also ask the bathroom company to recieve and check the goods delivered to your house direct, so that they take resposibility for un-packing and checking.
Payment options
I have covered these in section 12."good contract ?". If you are paying a deposit of 25% or less, these are covered by your deposit guarantee. If the deposit is more than 25% then it is excessive, unless built to order, or special delivery.
Payment confirmation by letter
It is important for your peace of mind, and good book-keeping, that you recieve a deposit payment confirmation letter, and a confirmation of installation date even if the bathroom company might have to change it closer to your date.
Final survey
It is quite normal to expect an installation manager, or the designer, to do a final bathroom survey before the goods are ordered. if nobody has checked the bathroom since the first survey, then I would be asking questions.
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