Most bathroom disputes start with a vague quote. If every item below appears in writing before work starts, there is very little left to argue about later.
The checklist
- Scope of work written out room by room, including strip out and disposal.
- Suite specification with make, model and finish for the bath, shower, toilet, basin and taps.
- Tiling with the area covered, tile size, layout, adhesive, grout and trims.
- Flooring type, preparation and any overboarding or strengthening.
- Plumbing including any relocation of waste, soil or feeds.
- Electrics covering lighting, extractor, shaver point and any underfloor heating.
- Plastering and making good to walls, ceiling and any damaged areas.
- Waste removal and skip or tip costs.
- Start and finish dates.
- Payment stages and the deposit amount.
- Guarantee in writing, and what it covers.
- Insurance details, including public liability.
- Named contact and who is actually on site.
Red flags
- A single line total with no breakdown.
- The word estimate where you expected a quote.
- Materials described as to be confirmed after acceptance.
- Cash only, or full payment before work starts.
- No fixed finish date.
- Different trades quoting separately with nobody coordinating them.
Why that last point matters most
The most common complaint in bathroom work is a half finished room with a plumber, a tiler and an electrician each waiting on the other. We avoid it structurally: plumbing, tiling, electrics and finishing are handled by our own team, so one quote covers the lot and one team is accountable for the result.
What our quote looks like
Free survey, measured up on site, then a written fixed price quote with the specification itemised, usually back with you within 24 hours. Fully insured, written workmanship guarantee, and no sales pressure at any point.
Common questions
Should a bathroom quote be fixed price?
Yes. A proper quote is a fixed price against a written specification, not an estimate that moves once the job starts. Ours are free, fixed and no obligation.
What is usually left out of cheap quotes?
Waste removal, making good and decoration, electrical work, tile trims and adhesives, and sometimes the tiling labour itself. Those omissions are what turn a low quote into an expensive job.
Should the quote include dates?
It should give a start date and an expected finish date. Without dates you cannot plan the household or hold anyone to a timescale.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is sensible. Compare them line by line against the same specification rather than by the headline figure.
Should I pay a deposit?
A reasonable materials deposit is normal. Paying for the whole job up front is not.