Tag Archive for: Tiling

The ten most stressful DIY jobs

Whether a hobby or a necessity, there are some DIY jobs that simply stress us out. Perhaps our new home improvement task ended up taking more time, costing more money or was more difficult than we originally thought, turning something fun into something less fun.

Using the most-searched DIY jobs in the UK (using ‘difficulty queries’ across UK Google), researchers have honed in on the tasks we find the most taxing. Check out the top ten:

  1. Plastering a ceiling
  2. Hanging wallpaper (one wall)
  3. Unblocking drains (using chemicals)
  4. Tiling a bathroom floor
  5. Removing grout from bathroom tiles
  6. Hanging doors
  7. Installing a toilet
  8. Assembling flat pack furniture
  9. Changing a door handle
  10. Installing a power shower

What about which areas in the UK are most stressed about what?

  • Plymouth – Plastering a ceiling
  • Aberdeen – Hanging wallpaper (one wall)
  • London – Unblocking drains (using chemicals)
  • Cardiff – Tiling a bathroom floor
  • Bristol – Removing grout from bathroom tiles
  • Aberdeen – Hanging doors
  • Northampton – Installing a toilet
  • Leeds – Assembling flat pack furniture
  • Norwich – Changing a door handle
  • Liverpool – Installing a power shower

One of the biggest causes of DIY stress is time – often, the longer a job takes to complete, the greater the chance of something going wrong and the more likely we are to get worked up about it.

It’s also interesting that four of the most stressful DIY jobs in the top ten are directly linked to bathroom improvement – tiling a bathroom floor, removing grout from bathroom tiles, installing a toilet and installing a power shower.

The antidote to stress could be to allow for a margin of error. Things may take longer, cost more and we may not get it perfect the first time. Planning is also important – working out a maximum budget and time scale. If you’re still uncertain it might be worth your sanity (and budget) to consult a professional.

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Source: Victorianplumbing.co.uk (To find out more about this research, visit Victorianplumbing.co.uk)

What can affect the cost of a bathroom installation?

Installing a new bathroom will not only increase the value of your property but also be the source of much comfort and pleasure while you live in your home. It’s worth the investment but it’s good to have an idea of what an instillation is likely to cost before you make any big decisions.

Whether you’ve decided to do it yourself or hire a professional, here are a list of things that are likely to affect the overall cost of your new bathroom:

Plumbing – probably the biggest amounts you’ll spend will be on plumbing; new taps, toilet, shower or bath and sink, and anything related. The greater the alteration, the higher the cost (as more plumbing work is required).

Electrics – if you’re looking to upgrade your lighting (usually the case if your bathroom is quite old) for a look you prefer and lower running costs, you’ll need to spend money. Other electrical work may include installing a hand dryer, shaving socket, extractor fan or power shower.

Tiling – this is one of the more difficult mistakes to fix post project so it’s important to get it right the first time; the size of the area you’d like tiled as well as the type of tiles you choose, will affect the cost.

Flooring – you can keep the cost of flooring low by just fitting a vinyl floor, which is usually a cheaper option; if, however, you’d prefer to tile your floor, the cost will be higher.

Space – the size of the bathroom will affect the cost; a larger surface area will require more tiles and a bigger space might require more fittings, costing more money. The more things to do and the bigger the space – the greater the cost (usually).

How long the job takes – time is money; the longer the project takes to complete, the more you’re likely to pay.

Quality of fittings – the more ‘high end’ the fittings, the more they will cost although it’s worth remembering that sometimes the cheaper option doesn’t last as long and so you’ll end up spending money to replace worn-out fittings in the long run.

Waste disposal – tradesmen will charge a fee (usually modest) for disposing of the waste on your behalf. You could choose to dispose waste on your own (which may cost you anyway) and sometimes, depending on the type of fixtures you currently have, there may be scrap value to them (they could be traded by you or your contractor).

The skill set required for the installation of new bathroom suite is extensive, from plumbing and electrical fitting to decorating and painting. You might decide that you could do some DIY on your installation but you’d need to call in specialists for certain jobs. This could be expensive but compromising on quality could mean that you end up paying more anyway.

We’d love to help you put together your dream bathroom but understand that installations can be costly. Why not apply for finance online? Visit our dedicated page HERE. The application form is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Sources: Guides 4 Homeowners, Household Quotes