Questions to Ask a Bathroom Fitter Before You Book

Ask exactly what's included in the quoted price, item by item, rather than accepting a single total figure. A good fitter should be able to talk through strip-out and waste removal, plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and sanitaryware fitting without hesitation, and should be happy to put this in writing rather than leaving it verbal.

Ask who will actually be doing the electrical work and how it will be certified, since this is a legal requirement in bathrooms and not something to leave vague. Also ask what waterproofing or tanking system will be used behind the tiles in wet areas, since this is invisible once the job is finished but it's the single most important thing standing between you and a future leak.

Ask for a realistic estimate of how many working days the job will take, and whether that allows for drying times between waterproofing, tiling and grouting stages, since rushing these steps is a common cause of early failures. A typical family bathroom takes around 7 to 10 working days; anything promising completion in two or three days for a full strip-out and refit should prompt more questions.

Ask what access to water and toilet facilities will look like during the work, particularly if it's your only bathroom, and whether the fitter can work around specific days you need the room usable, such as if you have guests staying. A fitter used to working in occupied homes will have a sensible answer ready rather than being caught off guard by the question.

Ask whether the quoted price includes sanitaryware and tiles, or whether you're expected to supply these yourself, since this significantly affects the comparability of different quotes. If materials are included, ask to see the specific products being quoted, not just a generic description like 'quality tiles', since the difference between a £20 and £80 per square metre tile is substantial.

Ask what happens if you want to change your tile or fitting choice partway through, and at what point that becomes difficult or costly, so you understand the practical deadline for finalising your decisions before ordering happens.

Ask what the payment structure looks like, and be wary of anyone asking for the full amount upfront. A sensible structure usually involves a modest deposit to secure the booking and materials, a payment around delivery of materials, and the balance on satisfactory completion.

Ask whether you'll receive a written invoice and, where relevant, a certificate for any electrical work carried out. These documents matter if you ever come to sell the property, since buyers and their solicitors increasingly ask for evidence that bathroom electrical work was properly certified.

Ask directly how snagging issues, small defects noticed shortly after completion, are handled. A reputable fitter will have a straightforward answer, generally that they'll return to fix genuine issues within a reasonable period at no extra cost, and ideally this should be confirmed in writing alongside your quote.

Ask what happens if something unexpected is found once work starts, such as rotten flooring or old pipework that needs replacing, and how that would be communicated and costed. A fitter who explains this clearly upfront, rather than promising it will never happen, is generally being more honest with you.

We'd genuinely rather you asked all of these questions and more before booking, whether that's with us or anyone else, because a well-informed customer and a straightforward fitter make for a much smoother project. As a family-run team covering Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Newent and the Forest of Dean, we handle plumbing, tiling and fitting entirely in house, so we can answer every one of these questions directly rather than passing you between subcontractors.

Call 07927 593 585 or get in touch through our contact page to arrange a home visit and a free, written quote.