How to Design a Stunning Wet Room on a Budget
Are you considering installing a wet room in your home but don’t know where to start? This guide will take you through the basics of designing a stunning wet room on a budget.
We’ll cover everything from choosing suitable materials to budget-friendly tips for adding personality and style. So read on, and get ready to create your dream wet room!
Choose the Right Contractors for the Job
Choosing the right contractors for the job is paramount if you want to design a stunning wet room on a budget.
With so many different types of flooring, walls, and showers, you need a professional team who can guide you through the best options for your space. From the type of floor you want to the shape and size of the shower, you should always enlist the help of an expert.
When choosing the right contractors to design, install, or even fit a wet room, there are a lot of things you should take into consideration. Listed below are some factors to think about:
1. Experience and Qualifications
When renovating a bathroom, there are quite a few things to consider.
First and foremost, you must consider what type of bathroom you want. This will depend largely on the size of the bathroom that you have.
For instance, you might want a small bathroom suite if you have a small one. You might want to incorporate a freestanding bath or a large shower if you have a spacious bathroom.
Suppose you have an idea in mind but aren’t entirely clued up on how to design your wet room or what it will take to achieve your dream wet room. In that case, it is worth checking their services, as some companies might offer services like bathroom and wet room installation, for example. A reputable company might offer the whole package, including plumbing and heating services and installing and maintaining boilers.
You should also check to see if they are accredited as a company. This can be a good sign that they are trustworthy.
2. Check References
A professional company will always provide you with references and testimonials.
If a company refuses to provide you with this information or let you speak to their previous clients, you should probably look for another company. A professional company will be proud of its work and will be happy to show you some of its previous work.
References can help back up the contractor’s experience and give you peace of mind before making that crucial decision.
3. Ask Questions
Before you hire a company to design and install a wet room, ask them some important questions. For instance,
How much is the company going to charge?
Are there any hidden costs?
Will the company be responsible for the plumbing?
How long will it take to complete the design and installation process?
What guarantees do they offer? (Be sure to read these; some companies will offer you a guarantee for the work carried out; some offer guarantees on the materials, and some offer guarantees on both).
If you have hired a company to design and install a wet room, you should also ask the company how it will clean the room after the work has been completed.
You should also consider asking the company if they have liability insurance. If the company doesn’t have liability insurance, it could leave you liable for any damage caused to your property.
Will you need to supply all the parts, or will the contractors provide them?
These questions will help you make an informed decision when hiring a contractor.
However, remember that the best company doesn’t always mean the most expensive. However, if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, you might have to settle for a company that charges a little more than you expected.
Either way, you should never sacrifice quality. These questions are essential and should be asked before hiring a company.
4. Request Quotes
Once you have found a few different contractors, you should get quotes from each one.
By getting quotes from multiple companies, you can see who is charging what by getting quotes from multiple companies. This will give you a better idea of how much the project will cost.
Once you have been able to gather a few quotes, compare each one, and weigh out the pros and cons until you find the one most suited to your project needs.
5. Consider Their Reputation
Once you have gathered some quotes, do some research.
Find out if the company you are looking to hire has a good reputation. Check online reviews of the company, and if possible, ask your friends for recommendations.
It might also be a good idea to ask the company (if they agree) for references from their previous clients. Doing this will show what previous clients think of the company.
Consider Your Needs and Wants
Before hiring a contractor, consider your needs and wants for designing your wet room, especially when doing so on a budget.
For example, maybe you are looking to convert your bathroom into a wet room but want to keep your existing toilet, sink, and shower. This can help you minimise costs since you don’t need to buy new fixtures. Below is a more comprehensive list of things to consider:
Design a wet room from scratch, or adapt an existing bathroom. Wet rooms can be expensive, so if you already have a bathroom, you may be able to adapt to it.
Consider tiling the entire floor. The floor needs to be waterproof, so it must be tiled. If tiling the entire floor is not an option, then consider just having a walk-in shower fitted and tiling the floor and walls of the showering area.
Consider a walk-in shower. A walk-in shower is cheaper than a wet room but offers the same benefits.
Choose a good-quality, affordable wet room kit. Wet room kits are cheaper than wet rooms but offer the same benefits. You may be able to adapt your existing bathroom to accommodate a wet room kit.
Choose underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is expensive but adds luxury to your wet room. It’s more expensive than other options but can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Decide if you want heating installed. You may be able to have the contractors for this, too, as part of the service or perhaps for an additional cost.
These are just a few essential things you should consider, so do your research before finalising your decision.
Shop Around for the Best Prices on Materials and Fixtures
If the contractors only offer fitting or installing the parts, then it is likely you are going to need to source these yourself.
If that is the case, you will want to shop around and try to find the best prices for the materials and fixtures you want to install, such as the shower, bath, sink, etc. When shopping for these, it is essential that you know exactly what you are looking for and that you shop around to get the best price.
It’s best to avoid buying online unless you are sure the online store is reputable. Instead, you may want to visit your local hardware stores, where you may be able to haggle or ask for discounts.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that sometimes paying less for items can compromise on quality, so try to find quality items at a discount rather than just buying the cheapest of everything, as you will want it to last as opposed to having to repurchase it in the future if it breaks due to poor quality.
Maintain a Budget and Keep Track of Your Spending
Once you have decided on the materials, fixtures, and design you want, you will want to set a budget.
This will help you to prevent overspending. When setting a budget, you must set a realistic budget.
This will mean that you aren’t disappointed at the end of the project when your budget has been exceeded. It’s also essential to track how much you have spent to know how much you have to spend.
This will help you to stay on (or below) budget.
Making Sure Everything Is Waterproof and Safe
Once your new wet room is complete, you must ensure it is safe.
You will need to check that everything is waterproof, especially the walls, flooring, and ceiling. If the walls, flooring, or ceiling aren’t waterproof, this could compromise the whole room.
The contractors should check this thoroughly, but it is good that you double-check this yourself too. Checking the plumbing is also an important thing to check for.
You don’t want to have any leaks. If you have any leaks, you will need to have them fixed as soon as possible.
If you discover a leak, it is a good idea to alert the contractors so that they can address the problem. Getting the job done to a high standard is essential, so it’s worth paying extra attention and care to ensure it is done correctly.
Adding Personality With Accessories
You can add personality to your wet room in many different ways.
For example, you can add some artwork or accessories such as towel racks and soap dispensers. You could even add an essential oil diffuser or even plants, which is a trend that seems to be particularly popular.
These accents give the room personality and keep it looking relaxing and like something you’d be proud of. You can also change these accessories with the seasons. For example, you could accessorise with candles and flowers during spring and summer, and with stockings and fairy lights during Christmas.
It’s all about accessorising to your tastes.
Be Prepared for Some Mess
Most contractors will likely take care of this for you, but depending on your services and your budget, you may need to get rid of old materials and items such as old toilets, baths or sinks, and tiles.
This is inconvenient, but it’s one of the costs of getting a new bathroom, so it’s essential to be prepared for this. You may want to start clearing out any old items beforehand, so you aren’t left with too much to do.
When it comes to the bathroom, you must take care of it. If it’s in good condition, you will be happier and will likely add value to your home.
Hopefully, this article has been helpful if you are looking at getting a new bathroom or wet room.
Conclusion
A wet room can be a luxurious addition to any home; it doesn’t have to break the bank.
By choosing the right contractor, considering your needs and wants, shopping around for prices, and sticking to a budget, you can create a beautiful and functional wet room that will make all your friends jealous. Just be prepared for some mess during installation!
Contact us today if you want help designing or installing your new wet room. We would be happy to assist you in creating the perfect space for relaxing and rejuvenating baths.