Scope of work
- Full strip-out of the existing suite, removal of the airing-cupboard partition wall and disposal of all redundant fittings.
- Repositioned soil pipe and re-routed cold/hot feeds to suit the new layout (freestanding bath on the long wall, walk-in shower at the end).
- Full waterproof tanking system applied over the new floor build-up before tiling.
- Electric underfloor heating mat embedded under porcelain throughout, controlled by a programmable thermostat.
- Large-format porcelain tiling to all walls and floor, including the shower zone, with silicone-finished internal corners.
- Brushed-brass brassware set installed and commissioned — concealed shower mixer, basin tap and bath filler.
Challenges we solved
- Original suspended timber floor needed strengthening in two joist bays before the freestanding bath could be sited — the new bath is heavier than the old built-in.
- Veined large-format porcelain was dry-laid in the workshop and on site before any cuts to keep the vein direction running across the room as one continuous sweep.
- Recessed wall niche in the shower had to be set out before tanking — it lines up exactly with the central tile course rather than sitting where the studs happened to land.
Process & execution
- Days 1–2 · Strip-out + protection
Existing suite removed, partition wall taken down, dust sheets and door protection in place. Skip on the drive, debris cleared each day.
- Days 3–5 · First fix
Soil pipe rerouted, hot/cold feeds repositioned for the new layout, electrical first-fix for the underfloor heating, mirror lighting and extractor.
- Days 6–7 · Floor build-up + tanking
Joist strengthening for the freestanding bath, plywood overlay, primer and Schlüter-system tanking on walls and floor, underfloor heating mat laid into self-leveller.
- Days 8–11 · Tiling
Walls then floor in the large-format porcelain. Dry-laid for vein matching, cut on a rail-cutter, set with S2 adhesive. Grouted on day 11, silicone the next morning.
- Day 12 · Second fix + handover
Brassware fitted and commissioned, glass shower screen installed, bath filled and tested, full clean, walkthrough with the homeowners.
Materials & finishes
- Large-format porcelain — 600×1200, matte greige, walls and floor
- Freestanding stone-composite bath
- Walk-in glass shower screen with chrome bracing
- Brushed-brass shower mixer + basin tap + bath filler (matched set)
- Electric underfloor heating mat with programmable thermostat
- Schlüter-system waterproof tanking membrane
Outcome
What was a tired family bathroom now reads as a hotel suite — single material running across walls and floor, calm tone, warm underfloor, and a walk-in shower that fits the proportions of the room rather than being squeezed into a corner. The homeowners moved back in on day 13.