ᐅ Custom Bathroom Design Even When Using a Developer (and How to Save Money…)
Created on: 4 May 2016 08:15
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Gatho
Good morning,
we are currently building a house through a developer. Yesterday, we visited the associated bathroom showroom to look at what is included. Standard sinks, showers, bathtubs, etc... nothing spectacular, but we were already aware of that. However, my wife has very clear ideas about how her dream bathroom should look. The house will have a total of three bathrooms (guest toilet, main bathroom, and a bathroom for future children in the attic). The main bathroom should be somewhat "special." For example, a countertop sink made of natural stone or marble with a nice wall-mounted vanity with a thick wooden countertop and matching fixtures, a bathtub that is a bit larger (with a middle drain), a rimless toilet, and a rain shower fixture. Of course, all of this comes with additional costs.
Especially for the vanity with the countertop sink and stylish fixtures, we were quite shocked – approximately (we don’t know the exact price yet because the developer might add another 10-30%) a 5,000 EUR (about $5,400) surcharge just for that. The other mentioned items are similarly expensive.
We would like to ask for your opinion and experience on this... We are now considering whether to purchase our desired bathroom components individually. For example, from Megabad or other retailers, and then install these items ourselves or have a friend do the installation. Do you see this as problematic, or is "DIY installation" a good option? One example that caught my attention: a rimless toilet cost about 500 EUR (about $540) at the showroom. At Megabad, the same brand (Villeroy & Boch) is available starting at 110 EUR (about $120)!
We understand that the developer offers a five-year warranty on the entire bathroom installation – and apparently charges a premium for this. But is that really necessary? Wouldn’t it be sufficient if the developer installs the bathroom up to the connections, and we have the rest installed ourselves?
Best regards & thanks!
Gatho
we are currently building a house through a developer. Yesterday, we visited the associated bathroom showroom to look at what is included. Standard sinks, showers, bathtubs, etc... nothing spectacular, but we were already aware of that. However, my wife has very clear ideas about how her dream bathroom should look. The house will have a total of three bathrooms (guest toilet, main bathroom, and a bathroom for future children in the attic). The main bathroom should be somewhat "special." For example, a countertop sink made of natural stone or marble with a nice wall-mounted vanity with a thick wooden countertop and matching fixtures, a bathtub that is a bit larger (with a middle drain), a rimless toilet, and a rain shower fixture. Of course, all of this comes with additional costs.
Especially for the vanity with the countertop sink and stylish fixtures, we were quite shocked – approximately (we don’t know the exact price yet because the developer might add another 10-30%) a 5,000 EUR (about $5,400) surcharge just for that. The other mentioned items are similarly expensive.
We would like to ask for your opinion and experience on this... We are now considering whether to purchase our desired bathroom components individually. For example, from Megabad or other retailers, and then install these items ourselves or have a friend do the installation. Do you see this as problematic, or is "DIY installation" a good option? One example that caught my attention: a rimless toilet cost about 500 EUR (about $540) at the showroom. At Megabad, the same brand (Villeroy & Boch) is available starting at 110 EUR (about $120)!
We understand that the developer offers a five-year warranty on the entire bathroom installation – and apparently charges a premium for this. But is that really necessary? Wouldn’t it be sufficient if the developer installs the bathroom up to the connections, and we have the rest installed ourselves?
Best regards & thanks!
Gatho
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Bauexperte4 May 2016 09:58Hello,
It can become problematic if you want a walk-in or level-access shower. In that case, you should definitely be able to rely on someone who knows their craft.
Regards, Bauexperte
Gatho schrieb:That is not a problem, as long as the rough-in plumbing stays in the hands of your provider; installing the sanitary fixtures later is not rocket science. The key question is whether you then also need to remove the tiles (which usually include the interior window sills) and therefore the interior doors from the contract. Most providers prefer not to base one trade on another that has already been completed.
Wouldn’t it be enough if the developer installed the bathroom up to the connections and we had the rest “done ourselves”?
It can become problematic if you want a walk-in or level-access shower. In that case, you should definitely be able to rely on someone who knows their craft.
Regards, Bauexperte
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Caspar20204 May 2016 10:13Bauexperte schrieb:
This is no problem at all as long as the sanitary rough-in work stays with your provider; installing the sanitary fixtures later is straightforwardIf it’s just a toilet and a washbasin, I agree with you.
But from the first post I also understood
Gatho schrieb:
a bathtub that is somewhat larger (with a central drain), a rimless toilet, and a rain shower fixturethat it’s about more than just that.
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Bieber08155 May 2016 00:03Gatho schrieb:
The other mentioned items are similarly above average in cost. Here is a non-representative example from our construction project: Shower door from the builder €1178 (about $1275) complete. Quote from the local specialist retailer (without the take-it-or-leave-it issue) €1254 (about $1360) complete. The service is identical (manufacturer, model, features).
Still, the bathroom fittings are quite problematic and almost a recurring topic in the forum. With an additional cost of €5000 (about $5400), any possible credit hardly makes a difference. So just have the standard washbasin installed and if you have money left at the end, you can install the luxury washbasin yourself. A rimless toilet should also be easy to install with a few simple steps; you can save the standard toilet for the next party gathering. Bathtub and shower are not that simple, so you should talk to the builder.
Hello Gatho,
we removed the fine installation trade and received a credit of about 3500 euros. Tiles credit was 7000 euros.
The developer gave their installer a bathroom plan from us indicating where the connections should be installed (everything planned together with the tiler using a software program).
We also had a walk-in shower built. The tiler organized that as well.
Our main goal was to choose "our own" craftsmen. They paid much more attention to our wishes. It was of course more demanding, but it was worth it.
As mentioned before, the developer takes care of the rough construction (for warranty reasons), and you do everything that goes on the walls yourselves.
We also had the window sills installed by the tiler and selected them ourselves.
we removed the fine installation trade and received a credit of about 3500 euros. Tiles credit was 7000 euros.
The developer gave their installer a bathroom plan from us indicating where the connections should be installed (everything planned together with the tiler using a software program).
We also had a walk-in shower built. The tiler organized that as well.
Our main goal was to choose "our own" craftsmen. They paid much more attention to our wishes. It was of course more demanding, but it was worth it.
As mentioned before, the developer takes care of the rough construction (for warranty reasons), and you do everything that goes on the walls yourselves.
We also had the window sills installed by the tiler and selected them ourselves.
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Goldi091118 May 2016 17:01Isn’t it possible to just provide the installers with the materials, whether it’s the shower, bathtub, or tiles, and have them install everything?
That shouldn’t be a problem when contracting individually through an architect, right?
That shouldn’t be a problem when contracting individually through an architect, right?
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Caspar20208 May 2016 17:18Goldi09111 schrieb:
Isn't it possible to just provide the installers with the materials, whether shower, bathtub, or tiles, and have them install it?Most traditional companies refuse to install materials that were not supplied through them. There are several reasons for this, including warranty issues.
You really have to make a lot of calls to find someone who will do it. Some have successfully hired installers through MyHammer. I like MyHammer.
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