Tag Archive for: Bathroom Refurbishment

Where’s everyone getting their plumbing products these days?

You’re refurbishing your bathroom…or perhaps just fixing something after years of wear and tear – do you roll on down to your local high street for some spanking new fixtures and furniture? Not likely. These days, point of call for all things plumbing is the internet – but this is no surprise, right?

From the comfort of your couch you can shop around for the perfect product at the perfect price. And there are stats to prove it: according to new research from AMA Research, online sales of plumbing products in the UK is set to increase by 43 per cent by the year 2022. In 2017 alone, the UK internet plumbing market is estimated to have increased by 17 per cent in value terms.

The company found that the internet is the fastest growing channel of the overall UK plumbing and heating products market and has experienced strong growth levels in the last 5-7 years.

Shower controls and bathroom taps represent the largest sector of the internet plumbing market with a share of around 23 per cent, followed by bathroom furniture and accessories, baths and sanitary ware, heating products such as boilers and standard radiators and shower enclosures, screens, trays and wetroom products. Towel warmers and decorative radiators account for a much smaller share of the total market. Own-label products sold on the internet are also performing particularly well.

A clear indication of the power of online shopping is the rate at which High Street stores are closing these days. In the pluming industry in particular, not only is the range of products growing but technology is improving and advancing – making the internet market more competitive. And of course, the convenience of delivery/collection options – it’s an obvious selling point.

The good news is that the stronger the demand for plumbing products online, the better the prices as retailers compete for market share – as good an incentive as any to keep shopping!

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

Source: HPVmag.co.uk – “Online plumbing product sales set to rise by over 40% by 2022”

Top Tips when it comes to starting a bathroom refurbishment

Once you’ve made the decision to refurb your bathroom, you’ll need to figure out whether you’re going to do it yourself, project manage other traders to fit your bathroom, or get a bathroom specialist to design and then see it through to completion for you. The experts at Home Owners Alliance has some great advice when it comes to starting a refurbishment project; here are some top tips that you might like to consider:

  • The type of bathroom you want – a practical family bathroom, en-suite, wet room or full-on home spa and personal sanctuary – as well as how much money you plan to spend, are factors that will help you decide who will fit your bathroom.
  • If it’s a fairly straightforward refurb, you might consider doing it yourself, which can save you up to 60 per cent of the cost! But before you decide to take on the project, do consider the time and difficulty of the job, and always get a professional in when it comes to gas or electric.
  • If you have a tradesman fitting your bathroom then buying the goods yourself – with their approval – can help to reduce the cost dramatically.
  • Whether buying the products yourself or getting someone in, it’s worth looking at the guarantees, especially for things such as grouting or sealant, which are costly to replace if they spring a leak. Look for lifetime or ten-year-plus warranties.
  • When deciding what your bathroom will look like, it’s better to start with a blank canvas to create a space that enhances your lifestyle, as opposed to using your existing bathroom as a template.
  • When it comes to practicalities it is important to consider what constitutes a realistic time-frame. Bathrooms can take between one and three weeks to complete (sometimes longer), and depending on the size of your house the work could be rather intrusive. It might be a good idea to wait until you go on holiday or even stay with friends or relatives.

For more advice on bathroom refurbishments, contact the team contact AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.