A bathroom renovation is one of the larger investments you'll make in your home — and one of the easiest to get badly wrong if you hire the wrong person. I've spoken to homeowners across Surrey, Sussex and Kent who've been left with leaking shower trays, uneven tiling, uncertified electrics and, in a couple of cases, a half-finished bathroom after a tradesperson disappeared mid-job. Choosing well at the outset saves a great deal of pain later. Here are the ten questions I'd want answered before handing over a deposit.
Why Getting This Decision Right Matters
Bathroom fitting is one of the few trades where a poor installation can cause serious structural damage — water ingress behind tiles, flooring rot, mould in walls, and electrical faults in a wet environment. It's not like a painting job that can be redone over a weekend. A botched wet room can cost thousands to strip back and redo correctly. The time spent vetting a fitter is genuinely worth it.
The 10 Questions to Ask
1. Are you fully insured?
Any reputable bathroom fitter should carry public liability insurance — at a minimum £1 million, ideally £2 million or more. This covers you if something goes wrong during the job: a pipe bursts, a ceiling is damaged, or a flood affects a neighbouring room. Ask to see the certificate. If a fitter can't produce it promptly, walk away.
2. Can I see examples of your recent work?
A portfolio of before-and-after photos is the most direct evidence of quality and style. Ask specifically for projects similar to yours — small en-suites if you have a small en-suite, wet rooms if that's what you want. Better still, ask whether you can speak to a recent client. A confident fitter with nothing to hide will be happy to arrange this.
3. Do you provide an itemised written quote?
A quote that says "bathroom renovation — £6,500" tells you nothing useful. You need a line-by-line breakdown: strip-out and disposal, first-fix plumbing, first-fix electrics, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures and fittings, second-fix plumbing, second-fix electrics, finishing. This lets you compare quotes fairly and understand exactly what is — and isn't — included.
4. Who carries out the electrical work?
Electrical work in bathrooms is Part P notifiable under UK building regulations. It must be carried out by a registered electrician (or a contractor who can self-certify under a competent persons scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT) and a certificate must be provided on completion. Be very wary of a fitter who says they'll "handle the electrics" without clarifying their qualifications or certification process.
5. Who handles the plumbing — you or a subcontractor?
Some bathroom fitters are fully qualified plumbers; others subcontract. Neither is inherently wrong, but you need to know. If a subcontractor is involved, ask whether they carry their own insurance and whether the main fitter takes overall responsibility for the finished job. Fragmented accountability is where things go wrong.
6. What warranties do you offer on labour?
A confident fitter will offer a minimum 12-month labour warranty on their work — many offer two years. This should be provided in writing as part of the contract. Separately, fixtures and fittings will carry manufacturer warranties (often 10–25 years on quality sanitaryware), but those don't cover the installation itself.
7. How do you handle changes or unexpected issues mid-job?
Old properties regularly throw surprises — a floor joist that's rotten, a soil pipe in an unexpected position, or pipework that doesn't match the drawings. Ask how the fitter communicates and prices variations. The answer tells you a great deal about how they work: the best fitters explain the issue clearly, give you options, and get written sign-off before proceeding.
8. What is the payment schedule?
A reasonable payment schedule is staged: a modest deposit (no more than 25–30%) to secure the booking, a progress payment at first-fix stage, and the balance on completion once you're satisfied. Be cautious of anyone asking for 50% or more upfront, or requesting the full amount before work begins. Never pay the final balance until you've checked the work thoroughly.
9. How long will the job take, and will you be on site daily?
Get a realistic timeline in writing. A standard bathroom renovation typically takes 5–10 working days. An en-suite or wet room may be shorter; a large family bathroom with significant structural changes longer. Ask specifically whether the fitter will be on site every day or whether there will be gaps. Unexplained gaps are one of the most common complaints homeowners have about tradespeople.
10. Can you provide references from clients in my area?
A local fitter who operates in Surrey, Kent or Sussex will have a trail of completed work nearby. References from clients in your area confirm they understand local housing stock, local authority requirements, and that they're genuinely established in the region — not passing through.
Red Flags to Watch For
- No written quote — verbal agreements are unenforceable and vague.
- Cash-only, no receipt — no paper trail means no recourse.
- Large upfront payment demanded — a sign of financial instability or intent to disappear.
- Reluctance to discuss electrics certification — non-compliant electrical work is both dangerous and illegal.
- No portfolio or reviews — if you can't find any evidence of their work online or via references, that's a serious concern.
- Pressure to decide immediately — reputable fitters are busy; they don't need to pressure you.
Why Local Fitters Beat National Chains
National bathroom companies spend heavily on showrooms, franchising, advertising and sales teams. That overhead is ultimately passed on to you. A local independent fitter has far lower overheads and relies almost entirely on word of mouth and online reputation — which means they have a direct, personal incentive to do excellent work. They're also far more accessible: when you call with a question six months after completion, you're speaking to the person who did the job, not a call centre.
What a Good Quote Should Include
Beyond the itemised breakdown mentioned above, a proper quote should confirm: the scope of work in plain language, start and completion dates, the payment schedule, what happens in the event of variations, the labour warranty terms, and contact details for both parties. If it's a single paragraph with a price at the bottom, it's not a quote — it's a rough number.
Work With Haydn at HGN Bathrooms
I'm a local, fully insured bathroom specialist based in Lingfield, covering Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Every quote I provide is itemised and in writing. I carry out all plumbing personally and work with a certified electrician for every job. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation site visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a bathroom fitter is reputable?
Look for evidence of real, completed work: a portfolio of before-and-after photos, verifiable online reviews (Google, Checkatrade or Houzz), and willingness to provide references from past clients. A reputable fitter will carry public liability insurance, provide a written itemised quote, and be happy to explain exactly who carries out each element of the work. Be cautious of anyone demanding a large upfront cash payment, unwilling to put anything in writing, or unable to show you completed projects.
Should I use a local or national bathroom company?
A local independent fitter almost always offers better value, more flexibility and greater accountability than a national chain. National companies typically add a significant markup to cover franchising, showroom costs and sales commissions — you end up paying for overheads that have nothing to do with the quality of the installation. A local fitter relies on word of mouth and reputation in the community, which is a powerful incentive to get the job right. They're also far easier to contact if any issues arise after completion. Read more about planning your bathroom renovation before you start getting quotes.