Smallest Bathroom Allowable?

kencoo

Hi. I have a 1970s 3 bedroom house with one bathroom. One toilet just isnt enoght so Id like to put in a very small ensuite bathroom - just toilet and sink - no shower. It would be to the back of my house with easy access to tie into existing waste pipes etc. Im thinking a size like 1m x 1.8m. The question is if I built this would it cause hassle regarding planning/building regs if I went to sell the property in a couple of years? Thanks.

rayjdav

On the assumption that you have not previously extended beyond the permitted areas, no, there would be no hassle. It would be very advisable from users point of view to at least comply with minimum size i.e. 1450 x 1450m. It will give you a level of comfort and will be feck all difference pricewise to do it.

kieran.

https://www.housing.gov.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C24773%2Cen.pdf

page 119-120 gives details of minimum standards for accessible WCs in dwellings

BryanF

kencoo wrote: »

Hi. I have a 1970s 3 bedroom house with one bathroom. One toilet just isnt enoght so Id like to put in a very small ensuite bathroom - just toilet and sink - no shower. It would be to the back of my house with easy access to tie into existing waste pipes etc. Im thinking a size like 1m x 1.8m. The question is if I built this would it cause hassle regarding planning/building regs if I went to sell the property in a couple of years? Thanks.

Is the existing bathroom up stairs? Is the proposed wc down stairs?

kencoo

Bathroom upstairs. I know the regs have a min size for wheelchairs etc but the room would be too small for that.

Outkast_IRE

Would you consider putting one under the stairs ? Relatively cheap way to do it if it has an outside wall.

kencoo

Under the stairs is already occupied by washing maching. Its too small anyway.

Outkast_IRE

kencoo wrote: »

Under the stairs is already occupied by washing maching. Its too small anyway.

Your call, many of the plumbers on here have probably done understairs wcs dozens of times. Whilst they will never be spacious, being intelligent with your sanitary ware selection and design they can be useful for little money.



Easier and cheaper to move a washing machine than to build a new building for a small WC.



I dont think you will have any problems with planning for building one once the house wasnt extended already.

JimmyMW

kencoo wrote: »

Hi. I have a 1970s 3 bedroom house with one bathroom. One toilet just isnt enoght so Id like to put in a very small ensuite bathroom - just toilet and sink - no shower. It would be to the back of my house with easy access to tie into existing waste pipes etc. Im thinking a size like 1m x 1.8m. The question is if I built this would it cause hassle regarding planning/building regs if I went to sell the property in a couple of years? Thanks.

As others have said once the house has not previously extended it should be fine, the 1mx1.8m should also work once you open the door out into the room.

volchitsa

Just on the point of building, if that's what you're doing : I think building a room to that tiny size has the downsides of both choices and the advantages of neither.

Any extra cost for building a bit bigger would be almost cancelled out just by being able to source cheaper standard sized sink, toilet etc, and the comfort of use is completely different.

Especially if you have an eye to selling up soonish, it's much better to have a proper sized room, preferably with a second shower, though that's not nearly as important. But even just for yourselves, a room where you're not constantly banging your knee or elbow going in or out is appreciable.

If you're putting it under the stairs, in an existing space, OTOH, then that's different - not having to start to build at all justifies getting the specialised smaller fittings for a tiny space. Some of them are really very clever.

rayjdav

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Easier and cheaper to move a washing machine than to build a new building for a small WC.

Problem with this is the existing waste pipes for the washing machine will obviously need to be changed to larger 4" pipes, connect into existing sewer externally, probable internal chasing of floors to get to sewer? HW feed to taps and make good all works on completion, price will shoot up with all hidden extras to make it not as cheap as originally assumed.... Not easier either as you then have to work within an existing confined space, will be like a rabbit hole after.