plumber or bathroom specialist/rennovator to fit new bathroom?

[TryC]

Hi All,

 

Is it best to hire a plumber or a specialist bathroom renovator to install a entire new suite - rip out and install of a toilet too (which isn't in the current bathroom at the moment). I am reading conflicting opinions, some say plumber some say bathroom specialists/rennovator. 

 

I'm not having much luck at all with tradespeople at the moment. Having been let down by a bathroom installer way back in the Summer, now a couple of people I have contacted have just basically told me they will not entertain me as they will only do local jobs (I'm only 12 miles away in the next town). I wish I would be in a position to turn away business if I had my own business, I tell you! Or have the luxury to say I will not travel 12 miles to get to work.

 

The installer who was contracted for the job said I needed to excavate an internal soil pipe (for the downstairs toilet), which would then be connected to the new toilet upstairs (the current toilet is directly below the bathroom). I am not sure if he was giving me the correct advice, as I had another guy who advised I didn't need to do that, that there were ways around it. But he is also the same person who suggested I use cladding instead of taking my walls back to brick and then doing the necessary and tiling - saying it would (cladding) would last me about 5 years. I think this second guy was more concerned about saving me money, but I didn't say that to him and to me, I feel he is cutting corners by saying he wants to save me money by using cladding - but I told him I want my new bathroom to last longer than 5 years. Ridiculous to think I pay a few thousand for a bathroom and it lasts only a few years. I am not made of money, but i rather it be done right and last me over 10 years at least.

 

What does everyone thing of the cladding options for the walls?

 

Any advice is appreciated. I have asked local forums, and they have suggested some plumbers over bathroom rennovator as well.

[dssr]

I unable offer any practical advice. However, I’m in a similar situation to you and have also had trouble securing tradespeople, and establishing which trade would be best suited for the work.

 I’m left with no other choice then attempt to undertake the work myself.

 

When you only have one toilet, and you’re about to cut into the concrete floor to find out what exists below, never mind understand what you’ll find below, it becomes a tad daunting. No doubt a port-a-bog will have to be hired / bought in case it all goes down the pan (excuse the pun).