A full bathroom refit can feel like a big project before a single tile comes off the wall. Suites, tiling, waterproofing and finishes all have to land in the right order — and someone has to keep that moving. This bathroom fitting guide sets out how a full bathroom typically works with Handyman Plus Van: what I fit, what you arrange, and how long it typically takes.
What a full bathroom typically involves
A full bathroom is more than swapping a tap or re-sealing a tray. It typically means stripping out the old suite, preparing the room, fitting the new bath or shower, basin and WC, tiling or boarding, and finishing with seals, accessories and decoration.
I do the fitting work — the hands-on install once parts are on site and the room is ready for each stage. See bathroom installations and bathroom services for how this sits with smaller jobs such as tiling and sealant work.
A full bathroom typically takes around 15 days of fitting time. That is a typical figure, not a promise: drying times, when parts arrive, access and anything found once the old suite is out can all affect the programme. Awkward layouts or late deliveries typically take longer.
You manage the project — I turn up to fit
For a full bathroom, you manage the project and order all the parts — suite, tiles, boards, adhesives, seals, fittings and the rest of the design list. I turn up to work through the fitting stages once those materials are ready.
I do not project-manage the job. Keeping suppliers, delivery dates, specialists and decisions moving is the customer's side. If you would rather not run that yourself, I recommend using a project manager to coordinate orders, timings and other trades. For full bathroom projects, I recommend Fabian Interiors, a trusted local partner and Wiltshire interior design business that handles full design and coordinates the trades.
Message me free on WhatsApp, or book a paid 20-minute video call if you'd rather talk the scope through first. That call is for advice and a typical time estimate, not a formal quote.
Electrics and gas: arrange the right people
I do not do electrics or gas. Arrange a qualified electrician for circuits, extractor fans, lighting, shaver points or other fixed wiring, and a Gas Safe engineer for any gas work. Those specialists are booked by you (or your project manager), timed so I am not waiting on services that are not ready. Simple plumbing within handyman scope — traps, seals, straightforward fittings — can form part of the fit; registered routes stay with the registered trades.
How to prepare so the days run smoothly
- Finalise the design and parts list before strip-out. Changing the suite mid-job typically adds days.
- Order everything early and check deliveries against the list.
- Clear the room and agree where tools and materials will sit.
- Book your electrician (and Gas Safe engineer if needed) for first and second fix.
- Keep one decision-maker — you or your project manager — so queries on the day do not stall the room.
Photos and a simple room sketch help. Note the soil stack, door swing and any boxing-in. Have supplier drawings on site if you have them.
What I typically do on site
Once the room and parts are ready, fitting typically includes strip-out where agreed, preparing walls and floors, fitting the bath or shower, basin and WC, boarding or tiling as scoped, sealing wet areas, and finishing with accessories and making-good. I work alone within safe limits: maximum ladder height 5 metres, and I will not lift over 15 kg on my own — plan heavy items with your project manager if a two-person lift is needed.
I am honest when something uncovered behind the old suite changes the plan. Better to pause and agree the next step than bury a problem under new tiles.
Booking time for a full bathroom
Full bathrooms are planned as full-day sessions across the programme, not as a single 3-hour visit. Full days cover about 30 minutes around Swindon. Shorter bathroom jobs — a reseal, a few tiles, an accessory list — can still suit a 3-hour session in Swindon (town). For a full refit, expect the work to be spread over those typical fifteen days, with drying and specialist visits in between as your programme requires.
I'm a one-man service, insured and DBS checked, and rated 4.9 on Google. I'll do my best to get through the fitting stages in the time booked once parts and other trades are ready.
Book a session, or message me free on WhatsApp on 07729 689420. If you'd rather talk it through first, you can book a paid 20-minute video call.
