How long does a wet room installation take?

Most full wet room conversions take two to three weeks from strip-out to handover. The waterproofing stages cannot be rushed - membranes and sealants need proper curing time before tiling - so we build that into the schedule and give you a clear timeline before we start.

Can a wet room be installed upstairs?

Yes. With correct floor preparation and full tanking, a wet room is safe on any floor of the house. Upstairs installations need particular care with floor structure and drainage falls, which is exactly the kind of detail our team checks during the home visit.

Do wet rooms add value to a house?

A well-built wet room is an attractive feature for buyers, particularly in homes where another bathroom with a bath is kept elsewhere. It signals a modern, low-maintenance home and appeals to buyers thinking about accessibility and later life.

Are wet rooms suitable for small bathrooms?

Yes - often especially so. Removing the shower tray and enclosure opens up the whole floor area, and a fully tiled room with clear glass feels bigger than the same room divided up by a cubicle.

Tanking is the waterproof sealing layer applied to the floor and lower walls before tiling. It forms a continuous barrier that stops water ever reaching the structure of the building. It is the most important stage of any wet room installation.

Do you handle the plumbing and electrics too?

Yes. Our plumbers, electricians, tilers and carpenters are all part of the same in-house team, so every stage of the wet room - drainage, wiring, waterproofing, tiling and finishing - is handled by one company and covered by one guarantee.

How long does an accessible bathroom installation take?

Most accessible bathroom installations take one to two weeks, depending on the scope. A straightforward level-access shower conversion sits at the shorter end; a full wet room with layout changes takes longer. We agree a clear timeline with you before work begins.

Can you follow an occupational therapist's specification?

Yes. If an occupational therapist has specified particular adaptations, we fit exactly what has been recommended. We are used to working from OT reports and are happy to liaise with the therapist directly if that helps.

Can you widen the bathroom doorway for wheelchair access?

Yes. Widening a doorway for wheelchair access is a common part of accessible bathroom projects, and because our carpenters are in-house, it is handled within the same job rather than needing a separate contractor.

Do accessible bathrooms have to look clinical?

Not at all. Modern accessible fittings - rails, seats, level-access showers - come in stylish, contemporary designs and finishes. We design the room to look like a beautiful bathroom first, with the accessibility built in discreetly.

Do you install anti-slip flooring?

Yes. We fit anti-slip flooring in several finishes, including tiles and vinyl designed specifically for wet areas. We will show you options that balance safety, appearance and ease of cleaning.

How long does an en-suite installation take?

Most en-suite projects take two to three weeks, including the building work. Creating the room - stud walls, door, pipework runs and ventilation - takes roughly the first half, and the bathroom fit-out follows.

Do I need planning permission for an en-suite?

For internal changes to a house, planning permission is usually not required. Building regulations still apply to drainage, ventilation and electrics, and we build to current regulations as standard. For flats, listed buildings or anything unusual, check with the council first - we can point you in the right direction.

Can an en-suite go in a room without a window?

Yes. A bathroom without a window is perfectly acceptable as long as it has suitable mechanical ventilation. We fit a quality extractor fan as standard in every windowless en-suite.

Can you move plumbing to reach the new en-suite?

Yes. Rerouting hot, cold and waste pipework to reach the new en-suite is a normal part of the job. Waste pipes need a proper fall to the soil stack, which is one of the first things we assess on the home visit.

Will the rest of my bedroom be protected during the work?

Yes. We sheet off the working area, protect flooring and furniture, and tidy up at the end of every working day. Building an en-suite should not mean living in a building site.

How long does a bathroom installation usually take?

Most bathroom fitting projects take 7-10 working days, depending on the size, complexity, and whether structural or layout changes are needed. We'll give you a clear timeline before we start.

Can you help me design my new bathroom?

Yes, we're happy to offer design advice and layout suggestions based on your space, needs, and budget. We can also recommend trusted suppliers for suites, tiles, and fittings if needed.

Do I need to supply the bathroom suite myself?

Not necessarily - we offer both supply and fit or fit-only services. If you've already chosen a suite, we're happy to install it. If not, we can source everything for you.

What areas do you cover for bathroom fitting?

We cover Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Saltdean, and surrounding areas across East Sussex. If you're unsure whether you're in our coverage area, just ask!

Are you qualified to handle plumbing and electrics?

Yes - our team includes qualified plumbers and registered electricians, so all work is completed to current UK regulations and safety standards.

Do you remove the old bathroom before installing the new one?

Yes, we take care of removing and disposing of your existing bathroom suite before installation begins. We handle everything cleanly and efficiently.

Will I be without a bathroom during the renovation?

There may be short periods without access, especially while plumbing is being switched over, but we'll always aim to minimise disruption and keep you informed throughout the process.

We pride ourselves on having an honest approach to working in peoples homes. Occasionally the worst that can happen is that materials don't turn up on time, or are the wrong spec or we're let down by someone. We will do our best to minimise these types of situations and get your bathroom finished regardless.

Do you offer guarantees on your work?

Yes - all our workmanship is fully guaranteed, and we're insured for your peace of mind. We stand by the quality of every installation we carry out.

How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Brighton?

A small bathroom refreshed in its existing layout usually falls in the £3,000 to £5,000 band. Compact rooms use fewer tiles and less labour time, which keeps costs at the lower end.

Is it cheaper to keep the same bathroom layout?

Yes, noticeably. Keeping the WC, basin and bath in their existing positions avoids rerouting pipework, which is some of the most labour-intensive work in any renovation. If your layout works, keeping it is the easiest saving there is.

How long does a full renovation take?

Most full bathroom renovations take seven to ten working days. Wet rooms and en-suites take longer - typically two to three weeks - because of floor forming, tanking or building work.

Do you charge for quotes?

No. Home visits and quotes are free and carry no obligation. We visit at a time that suits you, measure up, talk through your ideas and provide a fixed written quote.

Can I supply my own bathroom suite?

Yes. We offer both supply-and-fit and fit-only. If you have already bought a suite you love, we will fit it. If you would rather we handle everything, we source it all for you.

Wet Room Installation Brighton & Hove | Bishops Home Improvements

Shower Installation and Replacement in Brighton

Not every bathroom job is a full renovation. Sometimes the shower is simply tired, leaking, or overdue an upgrade — and that is a job in itself. Bishops installs and replaces showers across Brighton and Hove, from a straight swap of an old cubicle to a brand-new walk-in shower.

Our plumbers and electricians work on the same team, so the whole job — pipework, wiring, sealing and tiling — is handled together, finished watertight, and properly certified.

Shower Replacement — Fast and Watertight

The most common job we do is the simplest to describe: an old, leaking or dated shower swapped for a new one. Simple to describe — but worth doing properly.

Before the new shower goes in, we check what the old one has been hiding. Leaks rarely show where they start: water tracks behind trays, under seals and behind tiles, and the damage only appears once the old unit comes out. We inspect the tray, the seals and the wall behind, fix anything we find, and only then fit the new shower onto a sound base.

The result is a shower that is watertight from day one — not a new unit sitting on an old problem. Most straightforward replacements are finished within one to two days, and we leave the bathroom clean and ready to use.

Walk-In Showers and Cubicle Upgrades

If you are replacing the shower anyway, it is the perfect moment to upgrade it. Swapping a small, dated cubicle for a larger walk-in enclosure transforms how the bathroom feels: low-profile trays sit almost flush with the floor, and clear frameless glass opens the room up.

We will advise on what fits your space, from quadrant enclosures for tight corners to full-width walk-in screens. If you want to go completely step-free, see our wet room installation service.

Electric, Mixer and Power Showers

Choosing the right type of shower depends on your home’s water system, and this is where honest advice saves money. An electric shower heats cold water on demand, so it works even when hot water is limited — ideal for busy households or en-suites. A mixer shower blends your home’s hot and cold supply and gives the best flow when you have plenty of stored hot water. A power shower adds a pump to boost weak pressure.

We will tell you which suits your system before you buy anything, and every electrical connection is made by our registered electricians, so the installation is safe and fully compliant.

What a New Shower Costs

A straightforward shower replacement starts from a few hundred pounds, depending on the unit you choose and the condition we find behind the old one. A full walk-in shower conversion costs more, depending on tiling and layout.

Whatever the size of the job, you get a fixed written quote before any work starts. See our Brighton bathroom cost guide for detailed price bands.