Bathroom guide

How a fitted bathroom project works, step by step.

A new bathroom involves several trades and a set order of work. This guide walks through each stage, who does it, and where made-to-measure vanity and WC units from DTJ fit in.

Oak-effect tall bathroom cupboard next to a vanity unit

The stages

Ten stages from plan to finished bathroom.

Stage 1

Budget and brief

Decide what you want to spend and what the room must do: bath or shower, storage, a vanity unit, a boxed-in toilet. Keeping the toilet and waste where they are keeps costs down.

Stage 2

Choose the suite

Choose the basin, taps and toilet before the units, because the units are built round them. See basins, toilets and pipes.

Stage 3

Measure

Measure the walls, the ceiling height, and where the water and waste come through, from a corner and from the floor.

Stage 4

Choose units and quote

Choose vanity, WC and storage units, the decor and doors. We draw them and send a quote with drawings.

Stage 5

Order

Approve the drawings in writing and pay a 50% deposit. We confirm the lead time on your quote, so you can book trades round it.

Stage 6

Strip out

The old suite, tiles and boxing come out. Plan where you will wash while the bathroom is out of use.

Stage 7

First fix

Your plumber moves water and waste pipes, and your electrician runs cables for lights, the extractor fan and any shaver socket.

Stage 8

Walls and floor

Boarding, plastering, tiling and flooring. Tiles behind the units only need to go where they will show.

Stage 9

Fit the units and suite

The vanity, WC and storage units go in, then the basin, toilet, bath or shower.

Stage 10

Second fix and finish

Taps, flush plate, lights and fan are connected, and every joint between the tops, basin and walls is sealed.

The units

What a fitted bathroom is made of.

Basins

Sink units

Vanity sink units from 300 to 800mm wide. The back comes out so the waste and trap fit behind.

Drawers

Drawer vanities

Two, three and four drawer vanities, from 150 to 600mm wide in 50mm steps.

Toilets

WC units

Units that box in a concealed cistern and leave a usable top above it, 400 to 600mm wide, built round the cistern and flush plate you are fitting.

Storage

Base cupboards

Cupboards from 150 to 600mm wide for towels and toiletries, with adjustable shelves.

Sizes

All 720mm high, 340mm deep

Shallow enough to leave floor space in a small bathroom, deep enough to carry a basin.

Finish

Any of 300+ decors

Any Egger decor, with doors from our own range or BA Components. Samples are £10 each, taken off your order.

Who does what

The trades a bathroom needs.

TradeWhat they do
Bathroom fitter or plumberStrip-out, pipework, fitting the bath, shower, basin and toilet, and often the vanity units
ElectricianLighting, extractor fan and shaver sockets. Most electrical work in a room with a bath or shower must be done or certified under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Tiler and plastererWalls, floors and splashbacks
DTJ InteriorsVanity, WC and storage units made to your sizes, supplied ready to fit

How long it takes

Timings to plan around.

  • Making the units: we confirm the lead time on your quote
  • Strip-out and first fix: usually a few days
  • Tiling and fitting: depends on the size of the room; ask your fitter

Order the units so they arrive when the room is tiled and ready, not weeks before. Most delays come from waiting on trades, tiles or the suite, so order those early.

Where DTJ fits in

Made to measure, supplied for your fitter.

We make your vanity, WC and storage units to your sizes in Long Eaton and supply them ready to fit. We don’t fit, but we can put you in touch with joiners who do.

Buying from DTJ

More on buying from DTJ.

Bathroom guide

Basins, toilets and pipes

Choosing a basin and concealed cistern to suit our units, and measuring round the pipes.

Read the guide →

Guides

Planning guides

Step-by-step guides to kitchens, wardrobes, home offices, bathrooms, media walls and wall panels.

See all guides →

See it first

Samples

Board decor and door samples, £10 each and taken off your kitchen or bedroom order. Collect them from the workshop, or we post them in 3 to 5 working days.

Order samples →

Fitting

Find a fitter

We can put you in touch with local joiners who fit our cabinets.

Ask for a fitter →

Questions

FAQs

Prices, deposits, lead times, delivery, fitting and guarantees, answered in one place.

Read the FAQs →

Buying from DTJ

How it works

Measure, quote, deposit, make, deliver, and your joiner fits. Six steps from your sizes to a finished room.

See how it works →

Get a quote

Planning a bathroom?

Send your sizes and the basin and toilet models to info@dtjinteriors.co.uk, call 0115 784 8231 or WhatsApp 07956 032306, and we will send a quote with drawings.