Summary: A day-by-day breakdown of the 5-7 day bathroom fitting process from strip-out to final finish, plus what can cause delays and how our in-house Edinburgh team keeps installs on schedule.
Most bathrooms take 5-7 days from strip-out to final finish. That is with our own in-house Edinburgh team working full days — not a revolving door of subcontractors turning up when they feel like it. Here is exactly what happens and when.
The Day-by-Day Breakdown
Everything old comes out. The bath or shower, basin, toilet, wall tiles or panels, flooring — all of it. We protect your hallway and stairs (especially important in Edinburgh tenements), remove everything to our van, and dispose of it properly. By the end of day one, you have a blank canvas. We also check the condition of the walls, floor and plumbing at this stage so there are no surprises later.
This is where the infrastructure goes in. We run new pipework if the layout is changing, fit waste pipes, and handle any electrical work — extractor fans, heated towel rail connections, LED mirror wiring. If you are keeping the same layout, this phase is faster. If you are moving the toilet position or adding a walk-in shower where the bath was, it takes a bit longer. All plumbing and electrics are done by our own team — no waiting for a separate trade to become available.
The room starts to look like a bathroom again. Wet wall panels are measured, cut and fitted to each wall. LVT flooring goes down over the prepared sub-floor. This is the stage where the colour scheme and finish come together — and it happens fast because wet walls do not need grouting, adhesive drying time, or waterproof membranes like tiles do. The shower tray and screen go in at this point too.
The toilet, basin, vanity unit, taps, shower controls, towel rail, mirror and accessories are all fitted and connected. Everything is tested — water pressure, drainage, electrics. We do a thorough clean and walk you through the finished bathroom. We do not leave until you are happy. Most standard bathrooms are done by day 5 or 6, but we allow 7 days so there is no rush on the finish.
What Makes Our Installs Faster
The single biggest reason our installs run to schedule is that we use our own in-house team. Every person on the job works for us directly. There is no waiting for a subcontracted plumber to finish another job, no electrician who was supposed to come on Tuesday but pushed it to Thursday. One team, one schedule, one point of contact.
We also pre-order all materials before day one. Everything — panels, sanitaryware, flooring, fixtures — is confirmed and ready before we start the strip-out. No mid-install delays waiting for a back-ordered basin or the wrong colour panel to be swapped.
What Can Cause Delays
We are honest about this. Some things can extend the timeline:
- Structural issues — if we strip out and find rotten joists, damp sub-floor, or crumbling plaster, we fix it properly before continuing. This might add a day but it is not something you want to skip.
- Asbestos — older Edinburgh properties occasionally have artex ceilings or pipe lagging containing asbestos. If suspected, it needs professional assessment before we proceed.
- Custom orders — if you choose a specific fixture or finish that is not in standard stock, delivery times can push the start date. We flag this during the design visit so you can decide whether to wait or choose an alternative.
- Access in tenements — carrying materials up four flights in a Leith tenement does not usually add days, but it adds hours. We plan for this in our scheduling.
How We Compare to National Chains
Wickes, for example, typically quotes 3-6 weeks from order to completion. That includes a showroom design appointment, a separate home survey, ordering through their supply chain, and installation by subcontractors who may be juggling multiple jobs. Our process — home visit, fixed quote, 5-7 day install — is faster because we control every step ourselves.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free home design visit and we will give you an exact timeline for your specific bathroom. Call 0131 357 3869 or request a quote online.