With 2017 just around the corner, you may have started thinking about home improvements you’d like to tackle next year.
Like kitchens, bathrooms are high traffic areas that need attention every few years to stay looking their best. But which is the best route – refurbish or replace?
At European Bathrooms, we’ve channelled our more than 70 years’ collective experience in luxury bathroom design, supply, and installation to help you weigh up the pros and cons of replacing or renovating your bathroom.
Benefits of Renovating Your Bathroom
Less cost – Replacing tired, lime-scaled brassware, such as taps and mixers, or worn or dated bathroom fixtures, such as bath panels and shower screens, are quick-wins that - providing you budget wisely - are likely to amount to less than installing a new bathroom suite.
We offer one of the widest selections of the finest showers, showers screens, taps and bathroom accessories in the Amersham and Windsor area. Our expert designers will be more than happy guide you through any bathroom changes. Call into your nearest showroom to find out more.
Increase your home’s value – Although you’re unlikely to see the same return on your investment as installing a new bathroom (48%)1, renovating your bathroom will add value to your home and make your property more attractive to buyers, particularly if you replace elements such as the shower. It will also be a fresher, more pleasing space for you to enjoy.
Reduced time – Smaller works, such as replacing taps, or installing a new shower system, are usually relatively swift if carried out by a professional plumber or installer. As well as having your bathroom out of action for less time than a re-fit, you can start enjoying the changes almost straight away.
Please note, if you’re considering a completely new shower system it will need to be installed by a Part P-certified plumber or electrician.
Disadvantages of Renovating Your Bathroom
Escalating costs – How much you spend depends on the extent of the work you require and how much you can carry out yourself.
If you’re considering changes to the layout, for example, maximising space by removing a wall, or upgrades, such as, a new shower system or refinishing the bath, material and labour costs can escalate quickly. Research fees carefully – you may be able to afford an entire new bathroom for what you’ll spend on a good quality refurbishment.
Less return - Depending on the quality of your bathroom renovations, you may not see a return on your investment – financial or emotional! If you’re keen to save money by doing the work yourself there’s a risk that a) you might be unhappy with the final look or finish, or b) DIY mistakes need to be rectified by calling in a professional plumber or bathroom installer, eliminating any potential savings.
Matching bathroom tiles - If you’re planning to replace a shower or bath screen bear in mind that, unless you’re replacing like-for-like, you’re likely to be left with prominent screw hole marks and scuffs.
Locating the original tiles, their specific batch number and shade, can be extremely challenging as most tile ranges are discontinued periodically. Unlike a lot of other bathroom suppliers, where we supply and install a bathroom, we always provide a few spares to allow customers to carry out such replacements if needed.
Before you start refurbishing, check whether tilework will need replacing. Being left with mismatched tiles or unsightly screw holes will detract from any enhancements you make. In which case, it may be more cost-effective to retile the whole area.
Benefits of Installing a New Bathroom
Your bathroom is your oyster! – Installing a new bathroom gives you free rein to design your dream bathroom. Unlike renovating or re-modelling, you can strip back the space and start again – wet room as well as a bath? Luxury walk-in shower featuring a monsoon-like shower? Designer double-sink with sleek, in-built storage? Why not?! Our expert bathroom designers can help you create the perfect look and feel for your bathroom.
Great return and a better bathroom – Unlike renovating, where return on your investment isn’t guaranteed, research3 shows that installing a new bathroom can deliver almost half (48%) a return on your investment.
Save water, save money – Most modern showers and sanitaryware are designed to use less water, reducing your water consumption, and saving you money.
Our Hansgrohe showers and mixers, which are equipped with innovative EcoSmart technology, use 60% less water than traditional products.
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| Hansgrohe’s Raindance Select delivers an amazing rainfall shower. |
Whilst our Villeroy & Boch GreenGain WCs allow you to reduce water consumption to 3.5 litres per flush, conserving water resources and reducing your water bill.
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| Villeroy & Boch’s Architectura collection combines beautiful looks with innovative water-saving sanitaryware. |
Disadvantages of Installing a New Bathroom
Watching costs – A new bathroom can be expensive, particularly if you have your heart set on re-positioning your bathroom layout or extending. You can save money by keeping the existing plumbing and electrical locations. Also, always consult a professional bathroom designer. Alongside creating the best bathroom layout, they can show you how to maximise space using everything from clever inbuilt storage solutions to floating bathroom furniture.
Feeling inspired? Come and talk to our bathroom design experts at your nearest European Bathroom’s showroom in Amersham or Windsor today.
Whether you want to renovate or replace – we provide everything you need, including a huge selection of latest bathroom suites and showers, free professional planning advice and 3D visuals, and professional bathroom installation services.
Source:
- This is Money, 25 November 2014, http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2834756/Which-home-improvements-add-house-prices-investment.html
