Bathroom Renovation: Offer for over 50,000

Of course, we have spoken with the company about the possibility of a walk-in shower, we understand that one cannot say how the drainage situation under the platform looks like, and therefore cannot assume a level-access shower. For this reason, the company has continued to plan a (small) step into the shower. Same for the bathtub.

What is interesting to me now is the idea that this could be the very reason to completely renew the screed. I had assumed that the platform would be removed, the situation underneath checked, and depending on the conditions rebuilt there. But that the rest of the bathroom floor remains untouched because nothing changes there and because, for example, the underfloor heating does not have to extend beneath the shower. Is that wrong?

One more thing about breaking open walls and tearing out all pipes and installations: The bathroom is located on a corner of the house, the wall with the sinks is an exterior wall. The entire installation wall behind the toilet and sink is only 13 cm deep. The bathroom planner told us that he would have to plan 20 cm of installation wall behind the toilet – if there were only 13 cm as currently, the toilet's water tank would probably have to be channeled into the exterior wall – which we shouldn’t and mustn’t do. Is that correct?

For your help, I gladly give away the toilet paper holder – original Dornbracht Madison, brass ;-)
Unfortunately, the tooth brushing glasses are no longer available, only the wall holders for them...

Best regards! Heli

I would say the installer is not entirely wrong.

And, in my walk-in shower with tiled floor, the underfloor heating is also installed in the shower. Very pleasant, it also helps dry the floor after showering and briefly airing out.

Of course, we have talked to the company about the possibility of a floor-level shower, we understand that you cannot say how the drainage situation under the platform looks like, and therefore cannot assume a floor-level shower. The company has therefore continued to plan a (small) step into the shower for us. Likewise, bathtub.

Is there no service opening? You could see how the drains are laid there. Otherwise, I see it the way you do. Remove bathtub and shower tray, then you can see how the wastewater pipes are laid.

Exchanging bathtub and shower is very complex because the supply lines must also be changed additionally.

What does the bathtub look like? Should a new one be installed?

What is interesting to me now is the thought that this could exactly be the reason to completely renew the screed. I had assumed that you dismantle the platform, look at the situation underneath, and rebuild there depending on the conditions. But that the rest of the bathroom floor remains untouched because nothing changes there and because, for example, the underfloor heating does not have to extend under the shower. Is that wrong?

If you want to install a standard-width bathtub, you get a gap of 24 cm where the screed with underfloor heating is missing. That’s why they want to remove the floor. I would never do that.

One more thing about breaking open walls and tearing out all pipes and installations: The bathroom is at a corner of the house, the wall with the washbasins is an exterior wall. The entire pre-wall behind the WC and washbasin is only 13 cm deep. The bathroom planner told us that behind the WC he has to plan 20 cm pre-wall — if it were only 13 cm as currently, the WC cistern would presumably be chased into the exterior wall — that would and should not be done. Is that correct?

On that side, I would only plan stylish bathroom furniture. Replace toilet and washbasin without significantly changing the pipe routing.

Otherwise, fewer tiles, instead a colored paint.

Enlarge the shower cabin.

The bathtub (plastic) looks completely fine, it just has a stopper and overflow cover in gold, but I could still live with that. No, there is no service opening, at least not a visible one.

Price reduction idea: the tub and shower stay where they are. The half-round step at the tub and the recess there in the pedestal will be removed, the pedestal will be made straight. Then in the future only the small semicircle of the step will be missing from the underfloor heating. Would it then be acceptable to leave the screed and underfloor heating untouched?

Is it very complicated to move the bathtub with the head end completely against the wall? It currently has a tile’s width of space at the head end. That would give more room for the shower. Then the shower glass wall could be pushed further towards the tub. The end of the pedestal can remain as a seat in the shower as far as I’m concerned. Something like in the example picture, you just have to imagine the step in the shower and leave out the illuminated decorative niche.

Actually, we didn’t want a glass shower anymore because of the wiping - maybe the two shower walls on the pedestal can also be built dry with masonry and only the shower door made of glass (the shower probably isn’t deep enough to do without a door).

What we prefer most: tiles only on the floor and in the shower and behind the washbasin. Everything else lime plaster, painted in color. Prussian blue like our living room, for example. It would also be cool to have an H2O-compatible wallpaper on the non-tiled walls.

How do we find out if a renovation is sufficient for our bathroom (replace tiles, ceramics, fittings) or if a complete renovation is necessary (back to the shell, as planned in the offer)? Probably not before - open it up and see how it looks?

Thanks & have a nice Advent weekend! Heli

P.S. The windows and door are also dreadful, unfortunately the house as a whole has a style that does not appeal to us. Originally we thought about removing the door and replacing it with a sliding door (running in front of the bedroom wall, so not built-in). Canceled for cost reasons. We also cannot change the round arch window crammed into the reveal; it is like that throughout the house, unfortunately.

The house has a style that you do not like? Inherited?