Start with the bathroom you want to change and the problems you need solved. Then ask each company the same practical questions. Keep their written answers and quotes together so you can compare them without relying on memory or being distracted by an offer that appears to expire immediately.
Ask for a Quote Based on the Actual Room
At a home visit, the fitter should measure the room and check its condition, pipes, wiring and access. Tell the fitter about leaks, floor movement or difficulties with the current layout. A quote based only on a photograph may be useful as an early indication, but it should not be confused with a confirmed list of the fitting work.
Check that the quote identifies the suite, shower, wall and floor finishes and other agreed products. It should describe removal, preparation, plumbing, electrical work and waste arrangements where included. If a heading says “complete bathroom”, ask what that means in this particular job. The answer should be a product and work list, not another broad promise that everything will be taken care of.
Check Who Will Do and Manage the Work
Ask who your contact will be before, during and after installation. Find out how the plumbing, electrical work and any other specialist tasks are arranged. The important point is that the people doing each task are suitable for it and that responsibility is clear, whether they work directly for the company or are brought in for a particular trade.
Where gas work is involved, verify the engineer's relevant Gas Safe registration. The HSE guide to checking an engineer explains the check. Electrical work also needs a competent person and the appropriate certification where required. Do not accept a decorative badge on a website as proof of a particular qualification, current registration or insurance cover.
Look for Evidence You Can Check
If reviews are offered as proof, look for their source and whether they relate to the company and service you are considering. A quotation without a source should not be treated as a verified customer record. Ask about relevant examples of work and be clear whether photographs show completed jobs or simply product and design ideas.
A company may not be able to share private customer details, and that is reasonable. It can still explain the type of work it undertakes and provide appropriate evidence without inventing named customers or giving out personal information. Focus on what helps you assess the proposed job, rather than a large installation count or a star rating that you cannot independently check.
Agree What Happens if a Problem Is Found
An old bathroom can conceal damaged boards, leaking connections or unsuitable wall surfaces. Ask how the fitter handles findings after removal. A sensible process explains the problem, proposed repair and additional cost before proceeding with that extra work. It does not assume every possible hidden defect was visible during the first visit.
Check how changes you request will be handled too. A different vanity or shower can affect plumbing and delivery. Record agreed changes so the final job and price remain clear. Citizens Advice Scotland's home improvement guidance is a useful starting point for understanding your position before commissioning work or if a dispute arises.
Discuss Dates, Access and Payment
Ask for the expected schedule and which bathroom facilities will be unavailable. Explain whether the room is your only bathroom and whether anyone has particular access or care needs. In a flat, discuss shared stairs, deliveries and building arrangements before a start date is agreed.
Confirm payment terms in writing, including any deposit or stage payments that apply to the particular contract. If finance is proposed, review the lender information separately. Read our bathroom finance guide before deciding. Do not choose a fitter solely because a weekly payment looks small, or assume that an advertised fitting duration is guaranteed for every room regardless of its condition.
Know What Handover and Aftercare Include
The job should finish with checks and clear information about using and maintaining the bathroom. Ask what any workmanship guarantee covers, how long it lasts and who to contact with a problem. Product guarantees and fitting guarantees are different, and neither replaces your statutory rights.
Our bathroom renovation service explains the work you can discuss with us. Use the renovation checklist to prepare for a visit, then compare the written fitting details with other quotes. The best decision is one you can explain plainly: you understand what will be fitted, who is responsible, what it costs and how the installation and any later questions will be handled.