Choosing a company to install a disabled bathroom is so much more than selecting products from a catalogue. Getting the right advice and experience is one thing, then the quality of the installation and finish is another.
There are many companies offering accessible bathroom products, but how do you know you are getting the level of design and installation expertise that you need?
This guide covers what to look for when comparing disabled bathroom companies.
Jump straight to…
-
- Look for Specialist Experience in Accessible Bathrooms
- Make Sure They Start With Your Needs
- Choose a Company That Offers a Professional Site Survey
- Visit a Mobility Bathroom Showroom
- Check Whether They Provide a Complete Design and Installation Service
- Look at the Quality and Range of Products
- Don’t Think an Accessible Bathroom Has to Look Clinical
- Ask About Experience With Occupational Therapists and Complex Requirements
- Consider the Long-Term Picture
- Compare Quotes Carefully
- Read Reviews and Look at Previous Work
- Questions to Ask Before Making Your Decision
- Why Use Aquadapt?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Look for Specialist Experience in Accessible Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms require a higher level of expertise than standard bathrooms, with knowledge about relevant legislation and specialist equipment.
Experience of working with different mobility requirements is important, and understanding how different medical conditions affect people and what equipment solutions work best.
Also, look for evidence of the company’s completed projects and testimonials, so you can see the quality of their work and hear what others have to say about it.
Make Sure They Start With Your Needs
A good disabled bathroom adviser should start from the standpoint of how you currently use your bathroom, and what extra space and mobility requirements you’re looking for. This could include:
- How you get into the shower or bath
- Whether you use a wheelchair, walking frame or shower chair
- Whether assistance from a carer is required.
- Where you need assistance with reach and balance, for grab rail positioning
- Whether you predict your needs changing in the future.
- Physical constraints of the property, and how you want to deal with this, maybe considering a bathroom extension.
Choose a Company That Offers a Professional Site Survey
A site survey is a key part of the process, to inspect the existing bathroom and assess what can be achieved within the available space. This gives you the opportunity to meet the adviser, ask questions and get a feel for the company you will be working with.
Visit a Mobility Bathroom Showroom
Seeing products and potential bathroom layouts in person can be much more useful than looking online. This gives you the opportunity to:
- Sit on different shower seats
- Test the height and positioning of toilets and basins
- Try different grab rails and support options
- See how level-access showers work
- Compare shower doors and screens
- Experience different flooring surfaces
- Look at accessible bathrooms as complete spaces rather than individual products
- Discuss options directly with an experienced adviser
Check Whether They Provide a Complete Design and Installation Service
It’s good to establish who is responsible for the work and whether they do an end-to-end design to installation service. It’s generally good to have the company you are using responsible for the whole service from start to finish, so you have one point of contact and peace of mind.
Some good questions to ask your supplier include:
- Does the company only supply products?
- Do they carry out the installation themselves?
- Who handles electrical work?
- Who deals with flooring and waterproofing?
- Are building and joinery works included?
- Is decorating included?
- Who coordinates the different trades?
- Who do you contact if something goes wrong?
At Aquadapt we use an experienced team of fitters and plumbers who are used to working in domestic properties, with the highest standards of professionalism and workmanship. All our installers are either employed or subcontractors, meaning you have one company and one point of contact throughout the entire project, managing the project from start to finish.
We have access to a wide range of qualified designers, surveyors and tradespeople through the wider CoreCare Group, and have done building works and extensions for clients.
Look at the Quality and Range of Products
The bathroom specialist should offer a wide range of products and services with plenty to choose from to suit each individual requirement.
We have a wide range of products to choose from, including:
- Level-access showers
- Wetrooms
- Specialist baths
- Shower seats
- Grab rails
- Accessible WCs
- Wash-dry toilets
- Height-adjustable basins
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Specialist bathroom accessories
Don’t Think an Accessible Bathroom Has to Look Clinical
Modern accessible bathrooms combine safety and independence with style. A hallmark of working with Aquadapt is you don’t have to compromise on style, we specialise in tastefully designed bathrooms and wetrooms that match your interior design.
Ask About Experience With Occupational Therapists and Complex Requirements
This is particularly important when dealing with complex needs, and an area where Aquadapt are perfectly placed to deliver.
With 50 years’ experience in domestic adaptations, we have vast experience of working alongside OTs, case managers, families and carers for the most complex needs.
Consider the Long-Term Picture
It’s important to future proof your requirements so that you provide for your long-term health needs. These are some important points to consider:
- Could mobility needs change?
- Will the bathroom still work if a walking aid or wheelchair is needed later?
- Is there enough space for assistance?
- Can equipment be changed or upgraded?
- Is the layout likely to remain practical?
Also bear in mind that the cheapest solution isn’t necessarily the most cost-effective if it doesn’t provide for your needs into the longer term.
Compare Quotes Carefully
Rather than just comparing the headline prices, it’s important to compare what’s included in the detail of the quote, such as:
- What products are included
- Whether the site survey is included
- Installation costs
- Plumbing and electrical work
- Flooring
- Waterproofing
- Building work
- Removal of the existing bathroom
- Finishing and decorating
- Guarantees/warranties
- Aftercare
Read Reviews and Look at Previous Work
Rather than just looking at star ratings, read customer’s testimonials about how they got on and what their experiences were.
Bathroom company websites and social media profiles should have some good examples of completed projects and case studies where you can see photos, quality of workmanship and quotes from customers.
Some points to look out for in customer comments include:
- Quality of installation
- Communication
- Reliability
- Understanding of individual needs
- Aftercare
- Whether the finished bathroom actually improved independence
Questions to Ask Before Making Your Decision
It’s good to ask questions or find answers to them online to help you decide which company to use. Many companies have an FAQ page or blog that should help you find answers to your questions. Here’s some good ones to start with:
- How much experience do you have with accessible bathroom adaptations?
- Do you offer a home survey?
- Can I visit a showroom?
- Will you design the bathroom around my specific needs?
- Do you manage the entire installation?
- Which trades are carried out in-house?
- Can you work with an occupational therapist or case manager?
- What products and adaptations do you offer?
- What happens if my requirements change?
- What exactly is included in the quotation?
- What guarantees do you provide?
- What aftercare do you offer?
Why Use Aquadapt?
Part of the CoreCare Group of companies, Aquadapt have worked in healthcare and mobility solutions for many years.
We can manage complete bathroom, shower room and wetroom installations, bringing together specialist products, skilled tradespeople and quality craftsmanship under one roof.
We coordinate every stage of the project from the initial survey through to the finishing touches, so you don’t have to manage multiple trades or suppliers.
To see some of our completed projects you can visit our blog section, where we have even built home extensions, landscaped driveways and installed through-floor lifts to give people their independence back.
Our mobility bathroom showroom is open by appointment only, where you can see our product ranges and explore options with our experienced advisors.
Our bathroom showroom is located at Rofta House, Rudgate, Wetherby, LS23 7AU
Conclusion
Choosing an accessible bathroom is more than selecting the right products, it’s about finding the right company who can manage your installation every step of the way and give you the advice you need to help you make the right decisions.
Taking the time to find the right accessible bathroom company can help you create a bathroom that is safe, comfortable and supports greater independence for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in an accessible bathroom company?
Look for specialist experience, good customer reviews, a professional site survey, quality products and a complete design and installation service.
Should an accessible bathroom company offer a home survey?
Yes, a site survey allows the company to assess your bathroom, available space and individual requirements before recommending a solution.
Is it worth visiting a mobility bathroom showroom?
Yes, a showroom allows you to try products such as shower seats, toilets and grab rails and see different accessible bathroom layouts in person.
What products can an accessible bathroom company provide?
Options can include level-access showers, wetrooms, specialist baths, shower seats, grab rails, accessible WCs, wash-dry toilets, height-adjustable basins and slip-resistant flooring.
Does an accessible bathroom have to look clinical?
No, modern accessible bathrooms can combine safety and independence with an attractive design that fits naturally into your home.
Can an accessible bathroom company work with an occupational therapist?
For more complex requirements, ask whether the company has experience working with occupational therapists, case managers, families and carers.
Should I consider future mobility needs?
Yes, consider whether the bathroom could continue to work if your mobility changes or you need additional equipment or assistance.
What should be included in an accessible bathroom quotation?
Check what is included for products, installation, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, waterproofing, building work, removal, finishing, guarantees and aftercare.
Should one company manage the whole installation?
A complete service can make the process simpler by giving you one main point of contact and reducing the need to coordinate different trades.
How can I check whether a company is reliable?
Read customer testimonials and look at previous projects. Pay attention to comments about workmanship, communication, reliability, understanding of individual needs and aftercare.
