New off-the-plan build - best preparation to restructure the bathroom the way I want?

kujaultima

I have a new off-the-plan home, due for completion sometime this year.
The builder won't accept any deviations from the plan, so I'm stuck with an ensuite bathroom that has a shower door opening awkwardly onto the toilet, as seen in the plan:
https://imgur.com/a/3ydCA

So basically, I have an idea in my head as to how I want to enlarge the shower, remove the wash basin and just have a small one integrated into the toilet (similar to below): https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/06/4b/18/064b182dce52e2b8e92e50eb86ea1ae1.jpg

My main question is - what is the best approach to tell the builder now to avoid deconstruction costs later? Eg. ask the builder to simply install the tiling in the bathroom and nothing else (ie. leave the planned wash basin, shower and toilet uninstalled).

Secondly, should I just start calling around to bathroom rennovators for quotes and explain the above?

Cheers

Outkast_IRE

kujaultima wrote: »

I have a new off-the-plan home, due for completion sometime this year.
The builder won't accept any deviations from the plan, so I'm stuck with an ensuite bathroom that has a shower door opening awkwardly onto the toilet, as seen in the plan:
https://imgur.com/a/3ydCA

So basically, I have an idea in my head as to how I want to enlarge the shower, remove the wash basin and just have a small one integrated into the toilet (similar to below): https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/06/4b/18/064b182dce52e2b8e92e50eb86ea1ae1.jpg

My main question is - what is the best approach to tell the builder now to avoid deconstruction costs later? Eg. ask the builder to simply install the tiling in the bathroom and nothing else (ie. leave the planned wash basin, shower and toilet uninstalled).

Secondly, should I just start calling around to bathroom rennovators for quotes and explain the above?

Cheers

Those types of toilets are for handwash only , not for brushing teeth etc. If space is an issue you can get some very small and tidy basins

kujaultima

Fair point, it wouldn't be very sanitary, I suppose it was just an example. I'm not sure about the width available, but something like this would probably work better:


https://ie.soak.com/furniture/combined-vanity-units/quartz-combined-furniture/903mm-quartz-gloss-white-combined-suite-with-toilet-and-basin---crosby-ii-pan/2001145.html

mickdw

Its quite common for ensuite doors to open out into thr bedroom due to space limitations in ensuite. You should then get you larger shower, toilet and a handbasin on the wall where door was swinging to.

Dudda

Surely you have some input? Who picks the bathroom tiles? Just getting the door to open outwards would be a start and have no additional cost to the builder.

kujaultima

mickdw wrote: »

Its quite common for ensuite doors to open out into thr bedroom due to space limitations in ensuite. You should then get you larger shower, toilet and a handbasin on the wall where door was swinging to.

Great, that's a good idea. Thanks

Dudda wrote: »

Surely you have some input? Who picks the bathroom tiles? Just getting the door to open outwards would be a start and have no additional cost to the builder.

I wish I did. The builder's policy is everything is "as-is", and the bathrooms are fully built out (builder picks the tiles and everything else as per show room). It's entirely a sellers market as you would expect, we couldn't even manage to have them include a stove.
But.. as you say, surely having the door open outwards should be a simple request. Thanks! Would give some the bathroom more room for reconfiguration.

seamus

mickdw wrote: »

Its quite common for ensuite doors to open out into thr bedroom due to space limitations in ensuite. You should then get you larger shower, toilet and a handbasin on the wall where door was swinging to.

This.

Also, I can't say I've ever had an issue with a standard 900mm shower tray, so I don't really understand the motivation for a long one, especially when you'll have a full size bathroom elsewhere in the house.

If the door of the shower opening "awkwardly" is the issue, then a enclosure with sliding doors works just fine;
https://ie.soak.com/shower-enclosures/quadrant-enclosures/900x900mm-albi-quadrant-shower-enclosure-suite/BSP064.html

kujaultima

seamus wrote: »

mickdw wrote: »

Its quite common for ensuite doors to open out into thr bedroom due to space limitations in ensuite. You should then get you larger shower, toilet and a handbasin on the wall where door was swinging to.

This.

Also, I can't say I've ever had an issue with a standard 900mm shower tray, so I don't really understand the motivation for a long one, especially when you'll have a full size bathroom elsewhere in the house.

If the door of the shower opening "awkwardly" is the issue, then a enclosure with sliding doors works just fine;
https://ie.soak.com/shower-enclosures/quadrant-enclosures/900x900mm-albi-quadrant-shower-enclosure-suite/BSP064.html

The bathrooms in this place just aren't big. The main bathroom has a bath/shower, which I'm not a fan of. I want my own big, spacious shower, you know? separate to all the other occupants
Back to the original question - should I just try to instruct the builder not to install the shower, basin, toilet components? would the uninstalled components have any resale value to the renovation fitter?

JimmyMW

kujaultima wrote: »

The bathrooms in this place just aren't big. The main bathroom has a bath/shower, which I'm not a fan of. I want my own big, spacious shower, you know? separate to all the other occupants
Back to the original question - should I just try to instruct the builder not to install the shower, basin, toilet components? would the uninstalled components have any resale value to the renovation fitter?

Could you ask the builder not to install any of the sanitary ware or tiles in the ensuite and come to an agreement in the reduction of the price?

kujaultima

JimmyMW wrote: »

kujaultima wrote: »

The bathrooms in this place just aren't big. The main bathroom has a bath/shower, which I'm not a fan of. I want my own big, spacious shower, you know? separate to all the other occupants
Back to the original question - should I just try to instruct the builder not to install the shower, basin, toilet components? would the uninstalled components have any resale value to the renovation fitter?

Could you ask the builder not to install any of the sanitary ware or tiles in the ensuite and come to an agreement in the reduction of the price?

I can only try, I doubt they will reduce the price but you never know. That'd certainly make it easier than trying to resell the stuff!
When we negotiated the off-the-plan contract, we tried to talk the price down due to lack of appliances, certain amenities not quite we wanted etc but we were unsuccessful.

sydthebeat

I don't see any problem with it as it is.

GreeBo

I recently flipped my shower door to open into the shower and its made life much easier, especially when leaving the door open for the area to dry.

For the ensuite main door, have you looked at a sliding door? We have one and its great.

mickdw

GreeBo wrote: »

I recently flipped my shower door to open into the shower and its made life much easier, especially when leaving the door open for the area to dry.

For the ensuite main door, have you looked at a sliding door? We have one and its great.

A pocket door is an great idea but i didnt suggest it as it will involve building a slightly wider stud wall to take the door and seeing as this builder does want to vary anything, it might be a struggle to arrange that simple enough task

GreeBo

mickdw wrote: »

A pocket door is an great idea but i didnt suggest it as it will involve building a slightly wider stud wall to take the door and seeing as this builder does want to vary anything, it might be a struggle to arrange that simple enough task

Doesn't have to be a pocket though, could just slide among the wall.
We have two like this and they look and work well.

BryanF

GreeBo wrote: »

Doesn't have to be a pocket though, could just slide among the wall.
We have two like this and they look and work well.

I don’t know, gaps between slider and wall when surface mounted.. grand until your morning s***e after a few Guinness!!

tradesman

I know it would make sense to build the shower as you want if you are going to just rip out everything & put your own style on it but if the builder facilitated you then they are opening the doors for every tom, dick, harry, Mary, sheila, etc to start making changes quoting you done it for him / her so why not me?
If I was developing the site I would accommodate every customer BUT.......... there would be a significant charge for the works! In line with what it would have cost to do the rip out & replace the way customer wants

mickdw

tradesman wrote: »

I know it would make sense to build the shower as you want if you are going to just rip out everything & put your own style on it but if the builder facilitated you then they are opening the doors for every tom, dick, harry, Mary, sheila, etc to start making changes quoting you done it for him / her so why not me?
If I was developing the site I would accommodate every customer BUT.......... there would be a significant charge for the works! In line with what it would have cost to do the rip out & replace the way customer wants

Builder should be more than happy to turn door and leave bathroom suite in there without fitting if customer agreed.

Gumbo

mickdw wrote: »

Builder should be more than happy to turn door and leave bathroom suite in there without fitting if customer agreed.

Problem nowadays is BCAR and the assigned certified signing off.
The builder specifically wants to build to the drawings to reduce any liability on him.

Most estates in Dublin, you cannot even add a door that’s different to the plans, the builders won’t have it.