Hello,
does anyone here have experience with plumbing fixtures? We need to choose sinks and so on. Of course, we want to save money since the budget is tight. But we are completely overwhelmed by the range of options. Besides countless brands, there are also numerous no-name products or private labels from wholesalers, different styles, and so on.
What’s certain is that we want ceramic, and we need a shower, bathtub (190cm x 90cm (75 inches x 35 inches)), and toilet. So, what now? Does anyone have any recommendations on which brands to consider and, more importantly, what the differences in quality are? Or is it just about design and size? Can we simply choose what looks good and fits the budget?
does anyone here have experience with plumbing fixtures? We need to choose sinks and so on. Of course, we want to save money since the budget is tight. But we are completely overwhelmed by the range of options. Besides countless brands, there are also numerous no-name products or private labels from wholesalers, different styles, and so on.
What’s certain is that we want ceramic, and we need a shower, bathtub (190cm x 90cm (75 inches x 35 inches)), and toilet. So, what now? Does anyone have any recommendations on which brands to consider and, more importantly, what the differences in quality are? Or is it just about design and size? Can we simply choose what looks good and fits the budget?
So you’re not building a turnkey house?
Do you want to install the plumbing yourself?
For a bathtub measuring 190 x 90 cm (75 x 35 inches), you’re already looking at three to four times the price of a standard tub, assuming it’s made of enamel.
Apparently, no plumber wants to install anything other than enamel. If there is incorrect information here, I would appreciate an update from you.
I have noticed that it really comes down to design and brand, especially when it comes to the washbasin, mirror, and cabinet.
We are taking the budget option: a countertop basin from the general construction specifications, a nice kitchen countertop from wall to wall, a simple mirror in a pre-wall installation with fluorescent lighting behind it, and a roll cabinet underneath (or something similar, possibly all in the same design from Ikea). This saves around 1,000–2,000 euros.
Toilets come in standard versions and with a water-repellent effect inside, now also without the traditional water channel. Who needs it? It costs a multiple…
Nice and timeless or current designs are also available at affordable prices!
Do you want to install the plumbing yourself?
For a bathtub measuring 190 x 90 cm (75 x 35 inches), you’re already looking at three to four times the price of a standard tub, assuming it’s made of enamel.
Apparently, no plumber wants to install anything other than enamel. If there is incorrect information here, I would appreciate an update from you.
I have noticed that it really comes down to design and brand, especially when it comes to the washbasin, mirror, and cabinet.
We are taking the budget option: a countertop basin from the general construction specifications, a nice kitchen countertop from wall to wall, a simple mirror in a pre-wall installation with fluorescent lighting behind it, and a roll cabinet underneath (or something similar, possibly all in the same design from Ikea). This saves around 1,000–2,000 euros.
Toilets come in standard versions and with a water-repellent effect inside, now also without the traditional water channel. Who needs it? It costs a multiple…
Nice and timeless or current designs are also available at affordable prices!
Hi ypg,
we have a contract where we get a turnkey house. There is a budget allocated for plumbing fixtures. This usually includes a specific brand, but the most basic models from that brand. That’s fine with me. If we spend less, we get a refund; if it costs more, we have to pay the difference.
Now we can start looking for what we like. We can manage that, but without a plan, you naturally wonder where the huge price differences come from and whether they mean anything. I’m thinking of just going with the builder’s in-house brand and that’s it. But of course, I would be really annoyed if after five years the sinks are all scratched or something similar, just because I didn’t choose a well-known brand.
PS: We need the bathtub to be that large; we already planned for it. My husband has broad shoulders.
we have a contract where we get a turnkey house. There is a budget allocated for plumbing fixtures. This usually includes a specific brand, but the most basic models from that brand. That’s fine with me. If we spend less, we get a refund; if it costs more, we have to pay the difference.
Now we can start looking for what we like. We can manage that, but without a plan, you naturally wonder where the huge price differences come from and whether they mean anything. I’m thinking of just going with the builder’s in-house brand and that’s it. But of course, I would be really annoyed if after five years the sinks are all scratched or something similar, just because I didn’t choose a well-known brand.
PS: We need the bathtub to be that large; we already planned for it. My husband has broad shoulders.
Here are the points where I wouldn’t recommend cutting costs:
- The toilet should be easy to clean, so it’s best to choose one with as few corners and edges as possible.
- Shower trays and bathtubs should be made of steel enamel rather than acrylic (there are different opinions on this, but a steel enamel bathtub can still look good after 20 years if properly maintained).
- Shower trays with an anti-slip coating are important (even though they can be somewhat expensive—I paid about $250 extra for the coating). Without it, it’s simply unsafe, and then you end up using adhesive strips or rubber mats that need to be replaced every few years, which eventually costs more than $250.
- I also recommend “glossy coatings.” My parents bought a bathtub with this coating 20 years ago, and it still looks like new (except for the color and design *lol). The extra cost is usually about $40 per item, so around $200 for the whole bathroom.
Where I think you can save money is on the “furniture.” A vanity with drawers and a stylish design often costs a fortune. Instead, consider buying one or two bathroom cabinets from IKEA (or similar stores) to mount on the wall along with a mobile drawer unit that can be easily replaced every 5–10 years for a reasonable price. In other words, just mount the sink to the wall and skip the expensive specialized bathroom furniture.
- The toilet should be easy to clean, so it’s best to choose one with as few corners and edges as possible.
- Shower trays and bathtubs should be made of steel enamel rather than acrylic (there are different opinions on this, but a steel enamel bathtub can still look good after 20 years if properly maintained).
- Shower trays with an anti-slip coating are important (even though they can be somewhat expensive—I paid about $250 extra for the coating). Without it, it’s simply unsafe, and then you end up using adhesive strips or rubber mats that need to be replaced every few years, which eventually costs more than $250.
- I also recommend “glossy coatings.” My parents bought a bathtub with this coating 20 years ago, and it still looks like new (except for the color and design *lol). The extra cost is usually about $40 per item, so around $200 for the whole bathroom.
Where I think you can save money is on the “furniture.” A vanity with drawers and a stylish design often costs a fortune. Instead, consider buying one or two bathroom cabinets from IKEA (or similar stores) to mount on the wall along with a mobile drawer unit that can be easily replaced every 5–10 years for a reasonable price. In other words, just mount the sink to the wall and skip the expensive specialized bathroom furniture.
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