Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home so when it comes to selling-up time, it should be in top condition. Most buyers nowadays, unless they’re after a doer-upper anyway, want a modern bathroom that reminds them of a high-end hotel. Aiming for this look isn’t without its pitfalls, though, and many bathroom renovations go wrong, costing money but still looking cheap. Even worse, sometimes the new bathroom doesn’t function properly, with leaks, falling tiles or shaky toilets.
These tips will help you to avoid the most common mistakes, helping your bathroom project to go smoothly and attract buyers.
Take time over your tiles
If you’re planning to tile a wall or two, then you need to get it right the first time. The edges of the tiles in the corner of the room should be mitred – cut at a 45-degree angle so they meet without needing a tile trim. This makes everything look neat and precise. You can’t rush a tiling job.
Make sure you have enough water pressure for you shower
You may have fancied a rainfall shower for years, but if your water pressure just isn’t up to it, then all you’ll have to offer your buyers is an annoying trickle. It’s best to work with what you have, so have a basic shower and concentrate on an amazing bath instead if you have low pressure.
Employ certified and experienced plumbers
You should look for someone who’s a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE). The plumbing industry isn’t regulated, so pretty much anyone can call themselves a plumber. To become a CIPHE member, however, takes 10 years’ experience and NVQ Levels 2 and 3 at least. If your plumber is a CIPHE member, you’ll know they’re not a cowboy.
Use a water softener
So, you have shiny tiles, gleaming chrome and a big expanse of mirror now. What could go wrong? Well, if you live in the south of the UK, limescale is what could – and will – go wrong. It’s the bane of many southern households and keeping things shiny is an ongoing struggle if you’re going to be dousing them in hard water several times a day. A water softener will go a long way to combating the limescale problem and they’re now much cheaper and easier to install.
