Over the course of the next two decades, the expenditure for your project’s could potentially surge by a staggering 332%. Whether you’re embarking on a new build or undertaking a refurbishment, it’s crucial to prioritise long-term quality over immediate cost savings. While it may be tempting to cut corners, investing in durable, high-quality solutions now can save you from costly repairs and replacements down the line. Consider this a strategic move towards ensuring your project stands the test of time.
In the world of construction and architecture, attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are crucial factors that contribute to the success of any project. One area that often requires careful consideration is the design and installation of bathrooms, particularly when it comes to showers. A poorly designed or maintained shower can lead to a host of problems, ranging from costly repairs to potential damage to the building and its occupants. That’s why it’s essential to invest in bespoke bathroom design solutions that address these concerns.
Embarking on a bathroom design project requires careful consideration of several crucial factors to ensure a successful and cost-effective outcome. Unlike other architectural designs, bathroom solutions present unique challenges due to potential damage, associated costs, and inconvenience. This is especially critical in high-usage or high-traffic commercial sectors like hostels and student accommodations.
Careful consideration during the planning stage can have a substantial impact on future maintenance costs. Neglecting important design elements can increase maintenance expenses. By investing in a specialised, detailed, and well-thought-out bathroom design, property owners can avoid unnecessary maintenance costs and save money in the long run.
Bathrooms can be a significant cost centre in accommodation projects, but with the right approach, they can also be an area where cost-effectiveness and labour efficiency are maximised. A well-designed bathroom not only enhances the overall experience of occupants but also helps businesses run smoothly and efficiently.
When it comes to installing a shower, the initial costs can quickly add up, when constructing a new build one of many factors to consider is the crane hire, on average a crane hire can cost £2,500 a week which only includes a crane operator within the fee, this does not include the other expenses to cover other essential documentation and persons such as method statements, risk assessments, insurances, qualified lift signal personnel etc, depending on the location of the project can also affect the hire price.
When deciding to use bathroom pods within your project, you are instantly cutting out 15+ trades that are needed for a traditional bathroom and replacing with a one-person point of contact at a bathroom pod manufacturer. One trade within a bathroom that has considerable costs attached to its trade is the labour costs for the tiler. Ultimately it would vary and comes down to the size of the area that is being tiled, for standard tiles £50 per m2, mosaic tiles £100 per m2, and £200 per m2 for Victorian patterned tiles. You would also need to buy the tiles to begin with and factor in the grout and adhesive which is £10 per m2 on average along with the labour costs of £300 per day. Depending on the condition of tiles, consider adding 10-15% extra for unforeseen preparation or finishing costs.
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) pods offer a range of pricing options based on the quantity and type chosen. For the first mould, there is a set-up fee that can vary from £10,000 to £40,000. The cost per pod is reasonable, with prices starting as low as £2,000 per unit. Depending on your preference, you can opt for a composite type of pod between £2,000 to £3,000, an enhanced pod priced at £2,000 to £4,000+. It is important to note that the installation costs and duration will depend on the contractor you choose to handle the on-site installation. The set-up fee for the first mould is typically included in the overall price. For each individual pod, the installation process requires at least 4-man days to complete.
Modular Polypropylene bathroom pods offer a diverse range of products from shower cubicles to full ensuites, the pricing options span from £2,500 to £8,000 depending on the product choice. The versatility in volume (no MOQ) and design further enhances the appeal of Polypropylene pods, allowing them to adapt effortlessly to different construction requirements and spatial limitation. With their flexible and adaptability, modular polypropylene bathroom pods present an attractive and practical solution for modern construction needs.
With installation of bathroom pods, regardless of the method that is chosen, there are additional costs beyond the plumber and electricity connection fees. The installation costs can vary significantly and have a substantial impact on manhours and logistic expenses. Traditional tiling typically requires one person for two days, resulting in a cost of £560. On the other hand, GRP installation involves four men working a full day, amounting to £1,120. For modular polypropylene pods, installation only necessitates two people resulting in an installation cost of £280. This quick installation time and minimal manpower requirement makes modular polypropylene an attractive option.
It is crucial to note that the onsite manpower dependence has significantly increase the installation cost by 700% compared to modular polypropylene bathroom pods. Relying heavily on manpower can lead to project delays due to miscalculations or human errors that may necessitate rework or adjustments. These factors should be carefully considered while evaluating the most suitable bathroom pod installation method for a project, as it directly impacts both costs and project timelines.
Leaking showers pose significant risks to both buildings and individuals. If left unnoticed or unaddressed, leaks can damage ceilings, particularly if the underlying flooring is susceptible to water damage, such as wooden panels. Weakened joists and the growth of mould can also result from persistent leaks, potentially impacting the health and well-being of occupants. Legal battles have even arisen in the UK concerning landlords’ responsibility for addressing mould-related health issues, resulting in fines of up to £5,000 if not adhering to RSH standards. In extreme cases, tenants may be forced to seek alternative accommodations, incurring additional expenses for their upkeep.
For businesses, shower leaks can have severe implications. The affected room may become unusable until repairs are completed, resulting in a loss of revenue. If the leak affects the room below, the financial impact is amplified. Undetected leaks can lead to ceiling damage, requiring extensive repairs and involving multiple trades, ceiling repairs can cost from £175 up to £1,550 depending on the severity of the damage. The negative publicity resulting from customer complaints shared on social media and news platforms can tarnish a brand’s image. To manage potential crises, businesses may even need to hire costly PR agencies.
If the property in question is a listed building, the risks and costs associated with shower leaks become even more significant. Damp timber with a moisture content of 20% or higher can attract insects, leading to the rotting of joists. Replacing joists and floorboards in a listed building can cost up to £700 per room and require a team of two professionals. Additionally, listed buildings have restrictions on significant internal modifications that can impact historical or architectural features, further limiting the scope of work. Due to the specialised materials and skilled labour required, the cost of construction in listed structures can be 30% to 50% higher than the average building expenses of £1,200 to £1,500 per square meter. By opting for a bespoke modular polypropylene bathroom pod, the overall project cost can be reduced by up to 46%, providing a more affordable and efficient option.
When faced with a leaking shower, several options exist for finding a solution, but it’s essential to be mindful of hidden costs to ensure the right approach without causing further damage. One possible solution involves replacing the shower entirely after repairs have been carried out, though this can be more expensive than the original installation. Addressing bathroom ceiling damage resulting from the leak can add substantial costs, potentially reaching up to £1.550, which includes expenses for an electrician, repositioning light fixtures, and fixing new plasterboard. The overall ceiling repair costs may further escalate based on factors like ceiling size, the property’s listed status, and the type of ceiling involved. Additional expenses to factor in consist of plastering, painting, and disposal costs.
Despite the thorough repairs and necessary work carried out, reinstalling another shower is an additional expense on top of repairs, averaging around £3,000 for installation. Another option is repairing the existing shower, but this may not offer a long-term solution as the issue could recur, resulting in repetitive repair costs. Common repairs include addressing leaks in the showerhead, shower tray, shower trap, grout-caused wall leaks and shower door leaks. The combined cost of materials for these repairs amounts to approximately £202.66, excluding any labour charges by tradesmen. It’s essential to keep in mind that hidden issues resulting from leaks may require additional trades and expenses not accounted for in this estimate. Give the frequent occurrence of leaking showers, it is prudent to consider long-term solutions and thoroughly assess the potential underlying problems to avoid recurring costs and ensure a lasting bathroom solution.
