10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bathroom Fitter
Bathrooms involve plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, and tiling — all in a small space. A poorly fitted bathroom leaks, cracks, and fails. Ask these questions to avoid costly mistakes.
Our in-house team of qualified, insured bathroom fitters covers all of NW London.
Get a Quote1.Do you handle the full scope — plumbing, tiling, and electrics — or just the installation?
A bathroom renovation involves multiple trades. Some fitters handle everything; others only install sanitaryware. Knowing this determines how many tradespeople you coordinate.
I handle the full bathroom — plumbing, tiling, and I work with a Part P electrician I have used for years. I can quote for everything.
Only handles the suite installation — separate plumber, tiler, and electrician needed.
2.What waterproofing system do you use in the shower/wet area?
Proper tanking (liquid waterproofing applied before tiling) is essential. Without it, moisture penetrates the wall structure causing mould, damp, and structural damage within a year or two.
I use [Aqua-Panel / Schluter Ditra / liquid tanking] in all wet areas. The brand matters — I use a proper two-part tanking system, not just silicone.
Relying on grout and silicone alone, or dismissing tanking as unnecessary.
3.Are you Gas Safe registered — and how do you handle the boiler if it is in the bathroom?
Many bathrooms have a combi boiler. If the renovation involves moving or working near it, Gas Safe registration is legally required.
Yes, I am Gas Safe registered. I can handle the boiler connection as part of the bathroom renovation without you needing a separate gas engineer.
Not Gas Safe registered but willing to work near gas appliances — a legal and safety issue.
4.Can you tile to a high standard — and can I see examples?
Tiling quality defines the finished bathroom. Grout lines, cuts at edges, and corners reveal the quality of the tiler. Ask specifically for examples of large format tile work and feature walls.
Tiling is a core skill. Here are photos of my recent work. I am happy to give references from clients whose bathrooms I have tiled.
Subcontracts tiling to someone else, or cannot show clean grout lines and consistent joints.
5.How do you ensure the floor is level and waterproof before tiling?
Bathroom floors must be perfectly flat before large format tiles go down. Flexible adhesive on an uneven subfloor leads to cracked tiles. Shower trays must fall to the drain.
I check and remedy floor level before any tiling. For shower trays, I ensure the correct fall to the drain. I use flexible tile adhesive throughout.
Tiling straight onto an uneven floor, or no mention of checking levels.
6.Will you handle the removal and disposal of the old bathroom?
Bathroom demolition produces heavy waste — sanitaryware, tiles, plaster. Confirm who arranges disposal and whether it is included in the quote.
Yes — demolition, removal, and disposal of all waste is included. I arrange a skip or grab lorry depending on volume.
Waste removal excluded from the quote, or expecting you to arrange disposal.
7.How do you sequence the work to minimise the time the bathroom is unusable?
In a one-bathroom home, every extra day without a functioning toilet or shower is hardship. A good fitter plans the sequence to reconnect the toilet as early as possible.
I reconnect the toilet within the first 2-3 days, even if the rest of the bathroom is not finished. I communicate clearly which days you will have no facilities.
No consideration of sequencing to minimise disruption, or no plan for toilet access.
8.Do you check for asbestos before demolition in older properties?
Pre-1990 bathroom tiles, adhesive, and floor coverings may contain asbestos. Disturbing asbestos without proper controls is illegal and extremely hazardous.
For properties built before 1990, I recommend an asbestos survey before demolition. I will not disturb suspect materials without proper assessment.
Dismissing the asbestos question, or willing to demolish without checking in older properties.
9.What is your snagging and aftercare process?
Bathrooms reveal their quality over the first few weeks — grout may need topping up, silicone may crack, a tap may drip. Knowing the fitter will return matters.
I do a final walkthrough with you on completion and address anything you are not happy with. Any issues in the first 12 months are covered under my workmanship guarantee.
No snagging visit, no guarantee on workmanship, or unwilling to return for small issues.
10.Are all fixtures and fittings supplied by you, or am I buying separately?
Supply and fit vs fit-only significantly affects both the quote and accountability. If the fitter supplies the suite, they are responsible if a product is faulty. If you supply it, responsibility is split.
I can supply and fit everything — I get trade prices and pass on savings. Or I can fit only what you supply. Both are fine — I just need to be clear about accountability.
Insisting you buy everything yourself without explaining the accountability implications.
Skip the research — our team is ready
Every bathroom fitter at Hampstead On Demand is qualified, insured, and experienced with NW London properties. We do the due diligence so you do not have to.
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