Good bathroom design has the ability to transform a tired space into a relaxing, spa-like oasis.
But while you may have a vision of your dream bathroom in your mind, it can be hard to know where to start (unless you’re a pro at designing bathrooms!).
In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of finding the best bathroom design consultant to help create your ideal sanctuary.
How to find the best bathroom design consultants near you
There are plenty of talented bathroom designers out there, you just need to know how to find them.
At Checkatrade, we help to streamline the process. We have two simple and straightforward ways to find bathroom designers who come highly recommended in your local area:
1. Use our request a quote feature
Life is busy enough. Say no to the stress, stop with the endless research, and use our quick ‘request a quote’ feature. Here’s how it works:
- Add your details to this form
- Provide a few details about the job
- We’ll search our leading directory for you
- Bathroom design consultants in your area will then contact you directly to discuss your needs
2. Browse our online trade directory
If you have a bit more time and prefer to scroll through the recommended bathroom designers in your area, simply type your postcode in the search bar below.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
What do bathroom design consultants do?
Bathroom installers specialise in the physical installation of a bathroom, including plumbing, joinery, tiling, decorating, and electrics.
Whereas, bathroom designers take on the technical and creative role of planning and designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing space that meets your needs and taste.
A bathroom designer’s work includes:
- Booking an initial consultation to understand your needs and preferences
- Researching ideas and creating moodboards to match your taste, style, and budget
- Sourcing and collating innovate products and solutions to support the overall design concept
- Recommending all the necessary items or parts from a technical point of view
- Helping you to select the best materials, fixtures, and fittings for your design, needs, and budget
- Presenting 2D or 3D visuals of their bathroom design plans and layouts
- Purchasing the various components of the approved design
- Project managing the bathroom install
Questions to ask a bathroom design consultant
We now have a clearer idea of the role of a bathroom designer, but how can you be sure you select the right person for the job?
And what questions should you ask before appointing a bathroom design consultant for your project?
What’s your design style?
A good designer should be able to listen to your needs and preferences and make recommendations to suit them.
Having said that, you’ll get a good gauge of a designer’s style by asking to see examples of their previous work.
Checkatrade members have a business profile page on our site where you can view photos of past projects and check out customer reviews.
What’s the scope of your work?
We outlined the typical scope of a bathroom designer’s role at the beginning of this post, but do ask your consultant what their fee covers. For example, does it include project management?
Do you work with a team of bathroom installers?
Most bathroom designers will work alongside a wider team including bathroom installers. It’s always worth qualifying this from the outset.
How do you charge for your services?
Make sure you understand your bathroom designer’s fee structure and that it fits within your budget.
It’s worth remembering that a bathroom designer will not only create your dream space for now, but they’ll futureproof it and make sure the design is long-lasting too.
Their services will also minimise the stress of doing it yourself and possibly save you money on avoidable costly mistakes.
They will also often have preferential rates with bathroom suppliers, helping your budget to stretch a little further.
How long will the project take?
The process of designing and then installing a bathroom will vary depending on the size and scope of the work and how quickly those initial design details are nailed down.
However, from experience, a good bathroom design consultant will be able to guide you on the expected timeline for your project.
Do you work on small bathrooms?
Don’t be fooled into thinking bathroom designers only work on large projects with big budgets.
There are many small bathroom designers out there who enjoy the challenge of transforming a standard or even compact space.
By looking at the designer’s website and examples of previous work, you’ll get an idea of whether they work on projects similar to yours.
Check out our ideas for small bathroom designs.
Do you have insurance?
Before giving a bathroom designer the green light, do check they hold adequate insurance.
Professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance are two of the main covers to ask to see proof of. These will protect you financially should something go wrong.
All Checkatrade members must have up-to-date public liability insurance to be listed in our directory.
Do you offer a guarantee or warranty on your work?
Your beautifully designed bathroom should be enjoyed for many years to come, but it’s good to know what guarantees or warranties your bathroom designer includes.
It’s also recommended to ask your bathroom designer for a detailed contract outlining all aspects of the project.
For additional peace of mind, it’s worth noting that when you book a trade through Checkatrade, their work is guaranteed for up to 12 months. Exclusions and T&Cs apply.
How do I find an experienced bathroom design consultant near me?
With your questions in hand, all that remains is to find a bathroom design consultant who comes highly recommended in your area. Here’s how:
Use a professional directory
- Checkatrade is the UK’s number one website for finding a tradesperson
- Our directory is the one best known for quality*
- Every one of our members is checked and approved by us
Save time scrolling, just enter your postcode into the search box below and we’ll do the rest.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find tradespeople who have passed up to 12 checks.
Check online reviews
The internet makes it very easy to check a tradesperson’s reputation and the quality of their work.
Websites such as Checkatrade display honest and verified reviews from real-life customers.
Ask for recommendations
Local friends and family are a great source of recommendations for finding the right bathroom designer.
Be sure to check any family or friend recommendations out on Checkatrade too!
Ready to find a bathroom consultant to bring your dream sanctuary to life? Just add your postcode to the box below to start your search.
*Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in October 2021.