Initial Consultation
You should allow up to an hour for our first visit. The purpose of this visit is twofold.
Firstly, we would like to establish what stage your planning has reached. It will be helpful for us to know:
- Do you have a design for your new bathroom
- Have you selected a suite, furniture, tiles etc.?
- What is your total budget for this project?
Secondly, we would like to know why you want to install a new bathroom.
- Perhaps there are physical problems with the existing bathroom. Do you have leaks and old water damage; broken tiles, damaged fixtures? Is the water pressure too low? Is the room too cold?
- It may be that your existing bathroom facilities does not suit your way of life. Do you need a second or en-suite bathroom? Do you want to knock together a bathroom and toilet? Is the existing space cramped or poorly designed?
- Then again, you may simply want a new look?
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Initial Estimate
Following our initial consultation, we will prepare a written estimate for you. This will describe the work you wish us to undertake, and list any items (fixtures, furniture, tiles etc.) you wish us to supply. We will also provide you with an estimated cost for the project. Costs are calculated on the basis of four major factors:
- How long the project will take.
- The cost of any fixtures, furniture, tiles etc.
- The cost of building materials.
- What specialist skills are required: e.g. electrics, plastering, water supply and drainage.
We aim to provide you with this estimate within seven days of our initial visit. Once you receive it, we encourage you to review it and call us if you require clarification or further information.
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Survey, Sourcing, Design
If the costs we have estimated fall within your budget, and you would like us to proceed, we will arrange to meet with you to:
- Carry out a survey of the existing bathroom, plumbing and electrical systems to identify potential obstacles to a successful installation.
- Assist in selecting fixtures, furniture, tiles etc. We can recommend different bathroom suppliers based on your taste, budget and location. But we are also happy to work with your own suppliers.
- Agree a definitive design for the bathroom.
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Contract
We then revise our initial estimate to account for any changes made and adjust the price accordingly. In the contract we will explain exactly what we will (and also will not) do.
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The Installation Team
Project Manager
Each project is overseen by a project manager. He will work with you from your initial consultation through to completion. He will address all design and sourcing issues and, once work begins, visit the project on a regular basis.
Installer
A dedicated installer is assigned to each project. The installer undertakes the majority of the work, and will be stay with the project from demolition to completion.
Since no two craftsmen have exactly the same portfolio of experience and skills, we ensure that we match each project closely to the most appropriate installer.
Sub-Contractors
Experienced sub-contractors will perform certain tasks, depending on the scale of the work and the skills required. Most sub-contractors work regularly on Craftmaster projects. Their work is managed and supervised by Craftmaster throughout.
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Setting a Start Date
We can set a date for work to start once we have reached agreement on the work schedule and costs. Although it is occasionally possible to start projects on short notice, you should allow between three weeks and two months. The more complex a project, the longer it takes to design, plan and source.
If you are supplying any items yourself, you should ensure that these are all delivered before the start of the project. Leave sufficient time to re-order any items should there be problems with the delivery. It is not uncommon to receive incorrect or damaged goods. You should check with the supplier about their returns policy before you place your order.
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Preparing for Work to Start
The average small bathroom takes about three weeks to install. A larger or more complex bathroom can take double this time. Although we do our best to minimize disruption during the course of the project, life will be easier for you if you prepare well.
We will generally demolish the bathroom completely on the first day and cannot guarantee that you will have even partial use of the facilities until we finish. If you are lucky enough to have a second bathroom, make sure it is working properly. If you do not, you should make alternative arrangements for washing and toilet use. Some clients prefer to stay with family and friends, or go on holiday, during part or all of the project.
You should make space to store all the fixtures that you or we will supply. If you have a garage or a large shed, this can be ideal. Alternatively, you may wish to partially clear one room of your house. We will also need space to store building materials and tools on-site. We will discuss these requirements with you in advance.
Finally, we will establish with you what areas we will be working in, what areas we need to have access to (e.g. boilers, hot and cold water tanks, stop cocks, fuse boxes) and where we plan to store rubbish.
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The First Week
The first few days of a project are generally the most disruptive. Demolition is carried out during the first couple of days. It may be necessary to switch off electrical and water supplies during the working day, and drain water tanks and heating systems. Although we make extensive use of protective cotton and plastic sheets, demolition is dirty and dusty work and you should be prepared for this.
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The Installation Schedule
On a typical three week project, the work schedule is as follows:
- Week One: Demolition; building work (walls/ceilings); first fix plumbing; first fix electrics; plastering.
- Week Two: Tiling; flooring; decorating.
- Week Three: Second fix plumbing; second fix electrics; installation of furniture; finishing work.
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Working With Us
There are several things you can do to make the whole process of go more smoothly and ensure you get the result you desire. You should:
Be prepared for the plan to change
Given the vast variations in age, type and quality of building work in this country, there is no such things as a standard house. We may have to adapt our initial design in the first few days following demolition, as both constraints and opportunities reveal themselves. Any changes will be explained to you fully, with options offered where possible. We will seek your explicit agreement before making any changes to the design or undertaking work which may add to the cost of the project.
Keep an eye on things
Take an active interest in the work as it progresses. If there is something you do not understand or are not happy with, bring it to the attention of your project manager. We aim to deal with concerns and complaints quickly, sympathetically and positively. Mutual trust is vital to the success of such a project and we work hard to maintain it. It is also much easier for us to make changes or corrections before work has progressed further.
What to do if something goes wrong
Occasionally, things do go wrong. For instance, the older the plumbing system, the more likely it is that a leak may occur in any part of the system. Air can become trapped in the pipes when we drain and refill a water system and prevent hot water from flowing. Even new parts can fail. And, being human, we do make mistakes. Let your project manager know as soon as possible, no matter how minor your concern may seem. We aim to rectify all problems within 24 hours, and usually much sooner.
Finishing
As the project nears completion, make a list of things that you think needs attention. Most we will be planning to do anyway but we want to get it right first time. Another pair of eyes always helps.
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Feedback
We aim constantly to improve our service and workmanship. We can't do this if you don't tell us what we do wrong... and what we do right. And what we could just do differently! We appreciate all the feedback you can give us.
