Our easy-to-follow guide is designed to help you get started if you are planning a new luxury bathroom project.
HOW TO PLAN A LUXURY BATHROOM A GUIDE TO GETTING STARTED
THANK YOU FOR OPENING OUR GUIDE!
At Hobson’s Choice we consider ourselves as guides and teachers. We are here to support you through your design journey. Throughout your interactions with us we commit to being honest and transparent at all times. We hope that you will use the information we provide to make an empowered decision that enhances your life and that of your family. Even if you don’t complete your design journey with us, we want each step of the process - from discovery and exploration, to design, sales and installation - to be an enjoyable experience. In this modern age, we feel this approach is the only way to conduct business and deliver a service we can be proud of. Hobson’s Choice are an independent business that has been designing and installing premium kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces for over 45 years.
Our kitchen and bathroom designs can be found in properties across the South of England and South Wales, from penthouse apartments and luxury London townhouses to large country manors and contemporary new-builds. “We are the longest standing independent retailer of bulthaup kitchens in the UK.”
A Hobson’s Choice Project
IN THIS GUIDE, WE ARE GOING TO COVER THE MOST RELEVANT QUESTIONS CUSTOMERS HAVE ABOUT CREATING A NEW SPACE TODAY >>>
Bathrooms are technical spaces that are linked directly to the infrastructure of your home. Careful consideration needs to be given to soil pipes, services, extraction, water pressure, heating, floor structure, and lighting when beginning to plan a bathroom that not only looks good but works impeccably.
Elevation B
Elevation C
hobsons|choice
Master Ensuite
sanitaryware
tiles With any bathroom, big or small, we would always recommend that you speak to an expert before taking on the project yourself. basin shower/bath bathtub wc ferroker aluminio dornbracht imo l-cube furniture keuco ixmo bc designs viado duravit me by starck white white chrome brassware
shower tray
tiled wedi
To help you get started, we have put together this guide to help you think about what you want from the new space.
hobsons|choice
Elevation A
Mr & Mrs Love Dauntsey Park
Designer
Rev D 1:25 @A3 Elevation A bulthaup Swindon
Revision Content
Scale
Sheet Date
3 17th July 2019 of 5
Property of hobsons choice. All rights reserved
Elevation D
Elevation E
The document highlights some of the obstacles you may encounter and the questions you may like to ask designers when you venture out into the world of bathroom design showrooms.
Mr & Mrs Love Dauntsey Park
Designer
Rev D 1:25 @A3 Elelvation D&E bulthaup Swindon
Revision Content
Scale
Sheet Date
5 17th July 2019 of 5
Property of hobsons choice. All rights reserved
BRASSWARE Shower/Bath Keuco IXMO Chrome Basin Dornbracht IMO I-Cube Furniture
SHOWER TRAY Wedi with Ferroker Calldera tiles
hobsons
Mas
wc sanitar
bathtu
showe brassw
basin
tiles
showe
Mr & Daun
Design
WALL TILES Ferroker Aluminio Ferroker Calldera
Revisio Conte
Scale
BATHTUB BC Designs Viado White
Sheet Date
SANITARYWARE WC Duravit ME by Starck White
Property
CLIENT Mr & Mrs Jones 1 New House Rd N3W 8RM DESIGNER Philip Harrison Hobson’s Choice
MASTER ENSUITE PLAN REVISION Rev D SCALE 1:25@A3 DATE 2021 SHEET 1 of 5
Property of Hobson’s Choice. All rights reserved.
CONTENTS
1.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I WANT? Clarifying your ideas and defining your requirements.
Transforming a bathroom into a space that improves the style, ambience and functionality you desire can be a real boost to your everyday lifestyle and well- being. Perfect for your get-up- and-go routine in the morning and a sanctuary to unwind in the evening. Designing and building this vision of functional perfection and tranquility can be easy to underestimate.
2.
WHERE WILL I FIND INSPIRATION? Websites, publications and places to explore.
HOW DO I ORGANISE MY THOUGHTS? A structure to help you list your preferences. 3.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE WITH ME WHEN I VISIT A SHOWROOM? Getting the most out of your exploration. 4.
Questions to get you started. 5.
WHAT SHOULD I ASK A LUXURY BATHROOM DESIGNER?
HOW DO I FIND A REPUTABLE COMPANY? Checking the company will deliver a quality installation and customer satisfaction. 6. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHILST EXPLORING THE SHOWROOM? Highlighting details that show great design and fitting quality. 7.
1. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I WANT?
In this section, we provide a series of questions which you should ask yourself. Your answers will help you to begin to understand the boundaries of your brief, your wishlist and what you want from the finished space. These pages are designed to provide space for your notes beneath each question. If you live in a household that will share the new bathroom don’t forget to talk to those users as well.
1. What do you like about your current bathroom? Examples – The layout, lots of natural light, the big overhead shower.
2. What do you dislike about your current bathroom? Examples – The taps (brassware) are looking tired; there isn’t enough storage for our towels, it isn’t warm enough.
3. What do you wish to spend, in total, on your project? Bear in mind you may be thinking about more than simply bathroom sanitaryware, furniture and tiles. Extraction, lighting, heating, system enhancements (for example, water pressure pump), and decoration all need to play a part in your plan.
4. What do you want your finished space to be? Examples – Functional - to get ready in the morning, relaxing - to unwind in the evening, stylish - to present to guests.
5. How do you want your new space to feel? Many elements fall into this question, from your taste in colour, materials and style through to the functions you wish the room to achieve. Some examples include warm, textured, light and airy, glossy, matt, social, sleek, rustic.
6. Do you have the time to manage the project? A bathroom renovation can be time-consuming due to the many different elements all required in one space. You may have multiple tradesmen visiting in succession, each reliant on the previous work being complete before they can continue. Monitoring time scales is essential so your project remains on track.
7. How will you manage without the bathroom? You may face the challenge of a household used to having access to an extra bathroom, which can sometimes prove tricky over an extended period.
8. Space for further notes
These questions, and the many more they are sure to spark, will help you form a basis for the luxury bathroom you wish to achieve.
2. WHERE WILL I FIND
Inspiration can come from a myriad of sources, with new channels popping up all of the time. Here are a few of our favourite places to get you started.
INSPIRATION?
MAGAZINES
WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA
Houzz
Instagram Hobson’s Choice
Enki
Grand Designs
Interior Design Homes
Dezeen
PUBLIC SHOWS
3. How do I organise my thoughts?
When you collate your ideas and inspiration, Pinterest, ‘mood boards’ or ‘scrapbooks’ are handy for reference. Carefully organised, they can support
discussions later in the process. These are the sections we recommend you use to organise your thoughts; you can choose whatever you like.
Walls, bathroom furniture, countertops, wall panelling
Colours & Textures
Modern, (flat panel, geometric), or classic, (decorative, softer shapes)
BATHROOM STYLE
FLOORING/WALLS Tiles, wood, paint
ROOM LAYOUT Freestanding bathtub, walk-in shower, wall-hung units, storage BRASSWARE Taps, shower head, mixer controls
LIGHTING Hidden, ceiling, automated, spotlights, natural HEATING Radiators, underfloor However, you explore the wealth of imagery, advice and styles available to consider, remember to enjoy it. Always remind yourself that it is your home and your bathroom, so make it perfect for you. Armed with all this knowledge and brimming with ideas, it is now time to venture out and experience some bathroom showrooms that meet your criteria.
A good quality showroom will have designers on-hand to talk about their services, bathroom products, design process and recommended brands. To ensure you visit the right place for your project, take time to research the companies you believe meet your wish list.
A company’s website is often the first point of contact for clients exploring ideas and styles. Project case studies and reviews offer an insight into client satisfaction and the quality of the company services. Additional content may cover the customer journey, the design, sales, installation and aftercare process, and answers to frequently asked client questions. To view a video of Hobson’s Choice Managing Director, Richard Carter, explaining our client journey, visit the Learning Hub on the Hobson’s Choice website. Social media channels are also a great way of learning about a company, the staff, and their projects. If you are lucky, you might even find a client that has documented a project in photos.
If you are open and
honest about your project with your designer, they will be in the best position to provide you with the perfect design solution.
4. WHAT SHOULD I TAKE WITH ME WHEN I MEET A DESIGNER?
• A plan of the space Measure the whole room including windows, doors, bathroom elements - toilet, bath, shower, radiators and waste pipe locations. • Your Scrapbook or Mood boards A printed or electronic version of your research and preference. • Photos of your current bathroom A selection of photos from different angles showing the layout and any particular details you think could be relevant - soil pipes, doorways, windows, etc • A plan of the whole property and its compass position (If possible) The sketch doesn’t have to be accurately measured; just a rough layout will help your designer understand the flow of the property and the direction of natural light around the room. YOU WILL NEED...
All of this information will enable you and your designer to have a meaningful conversation and begin to shape the brief they will need to do their job. Good designers will start to build a picture of your requirements from the moment they meet you.
Over a coffee, I would expect you will be asked several questions such as:
• How do you wish to use this bathroom? • Is this a family/shared bathroom? • What sort of lifestyle do you lead? • Do you have any particular requirements I would need to consider? • Do you know the available water pressure? • A reasonable idea of your budget? For more information, see our Learning Hub article ‘ Why should I tell my Designer my Budget’ available on the Hobson’s Choice website. Our advice is to be as open and honest as you can. Your designer is doing what they feel is required to understand you and what you would like from your future space.
When speaking to the designer, you need to ask questions to help you make an informed decision. Can they offer you what you need, and will you feel comfortable working with them? Here are some suggestions of things you could ask. 1. WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? • Design & build – is it all done by the same company? • Supply only – How does that work for a bathroom, is an element of the design required beforehand? 5. WHAT SHOULD I ASK A LUXURY BATHROOM DESIGNER?
• Minor remedial works – What can be done?
• Other Rooms – If your project includes another space like a
dressing room, can this be designed simultaneously?
2. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS TO ME? Let the designer walk you through every stage, from design, presentation and payment schedules to project planning, installation and sign off. 3. WHEN WILL YOU RELEASE PLANS? For any reputable company, letting go of design work before receiving client commitment is unlikely. It might seem like a reasonable request; you want to take the plans home to review them later, but the plans are their work, their intellectual property. All companies are conscious that buyers may take their hard work and design skills to another business and wish to avoid this potential eventuality. Some companies may insist on a design fee up front; others may begin exploratory work without charge. It can differ from place to place. Suppose you know you will need plans for a specific reason. In that case, talk to your designer about this early on in the process and reach an agreeable solution.
4. HOW LONG DOES AN AVERAGE DESIGN AND BUILD TAKE
5. DO YOU WORK WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS? If your project requires additional building work or is a new build, it would be reassuring to know the company has experience of working alongside other trades and collaborating with other design professionals.
(UNDERSTANDING EVERY PROJECT IS DIFFERENT)? The initial design phase can take a few weeks. Your designer may set a date for your return visit before you leave, setting out expectations and any further requirements they need to do their job. Beyond the first presentation, the process can be affected by several factors, including:
• A client’s decisiveness
• Availability of associated
professionals, such as an Architect or Interior Designer, and drawings
• Product lead times, potentially up to 12 weeks
• Installation team availability
• Any unforeseen site challenges
Your designer should know how a ‘normal’ project would progress and advise you accordingly.
6. HOW DO I FIND A REPUTABLE COMPANY?
Making sure you find a company that provides the right product style, design skill, quality of installation and long-term accountability can feel like a challenging task. The business you entrust your property with to install your luxury bathroom will make or break the entire process. By asking our suggested series of questions, see over-leaf, you will gain a greater understanding of the fitting process. With this information, you will better determine whether the company will provide you with a high- quality installation. Before we delve in, there are two reasons why people often make the wrong decision when choosing a company to work with - Price and Installation Time. Due diligence is of the utmost importance when selecting a suitable company. It is not always correct to go with the lowest price or the quickest installation time. Despite the temptation, you shouldn’t be moved from a price standpoint or unnecessarily swayed by a quick turnaround.
FULL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT
EFFECTIVE PLANNING
ACCREDITED TRADESMEN
CLIENT COURTESY
PROPERTY PROTECTION
RELIABLE PRODUCTS
QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP
DETAILED FINISH
DESIGNER LED SNAGGING
Nothing can compensate for a poorly installed luxury bathroom.
1. HOW MANY LUXURY BATHROOMS HAVE THE COMPANY INSTALLED? This may seem obvious, but check who exactly installs the bathroom. Does the company have an in-house team, or do the design plans get handed over to a 3rd party? The project page on the company website will be a good place to start, but it may not have photography for all of the projects - it can depend on the client’s wishes. 2. WHO MANAGES THE INSTALLATION PHASE? WOULD I HAVE A KEY CONTACT? Different companies control their processes in different ways. At Hobson’s Choice, a client has a single point of contact from the very start; their Design Consultant. We believe they become the best person to see the project management phase through; they have the greatest understanding of both project and client. 3. HAVE YOU EVER FACED AN UNEXPECTED ISSUE DURING INSTALLATION? If they say “No”, they are not being truthful or highlight a level of inexperience. Everyone, at some point, has to deal with an unexpected issue during an installation.
4. HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT? WHAT DID YOU DO? The explanation should cover the communications made with the client, how quickly the company overcame the problem and the eventual outcome. You could ask if the company has a client testimonial to support the example given or if they could arrange for you to speak to a selection of clients directly. 5. DO YOU HAVE REFERENCES I CAN SPEAK TO? If the proof is in the pudding, then this is the pudding! Speaking directly to previous company clients may seem like a time-consuming activity, but it may give you the assurance you need to continue or step away. Remember that GDPR rules do not permit a company to hand over personal details; your request may require some prior arrangement. • Try and speak to old and new clients to understand the current service level and how their products hold up over time. • Clients who live near and far from a local showroom may highlight geographical challenges in service delivery. • Ask how the client felt during the installation phase. Were they and their home well looked after by the installation team? • Find out what impressed them the most and the least about the service. Would the homeowner change anything?
6. WHAT AFTERCARE AND WARRANTIES ARE PROVIDED? Check the details of what is covered and for how long. How are issues resolved, and what level of customer input is required? Are issues handled for you, or are you expected to make calls, follow-up emails, and chase resolutions?
With twelve bathroom room sets to explore, our Wiltshire showroom is a destination for luxury bathroom project inspiration.
7. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHILST EXPLORING A SHOWROOM?
A showroom should be the pinnacle of what a bathroom company can achieve. Everything should be perfect, from the display layouts to the quality of the installation. Don’t be afraid to open units, check drawer alignments or study grout lines and lighting arrangements. It is these details that a good design company will have considered long before fitting. There should be nothing that doesn’t have an explanation for being where it is.
By the time you have visited some bathroom companies and talked to their designers, your head will no doubt feel like it could burst! Don’t fret; take time to digest the notes you have taken and talk about the feelings you took away from each visit. It is quite normal that a designer will contact you a few days after a visit to ask about your thoughts. Again, be honest. If their company wasn’t for you, the most valuable thing you can say is why. If you would like to talk to them again, take the opportunity to arrange a second visit to speak in more depth and refresh your memory.
You will know if you have met the right designer from a company you feel delivers what you want. Once you have found them, you can begin the next phase together, shaping your ideas into a real, fantastic space that will make your life even better.
To tour our virtual Wiltshire showroom displays visit the Learning Hub on the Hobson’s Choice website.
BATH 01225 433 511 WILTSHIRE 01793 490 685 WINCHESTER 01962 849 000 www.hobsonschoice.uk.com
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