Full Strip-Out, Reconfiguration and Modern Refit
This project is a strong example of how we approach bathroom renovation work at Complete Heating – with careful planning, skilled installation, and close attention to the details that make the finished space work properly for everyday use.
From the outset, this bathroom required far more than a simple suite replacement. Once the room was opened up, it became clear that the project needed a full strip-out, extensive preparation, plumbing alterations, service concealment, and a complete rebuild of the key surfaces before the final products could be installed.
By managing each phase properly, we were able to turn a dated and awkward room into a clean, modern bathroom with a far better layout, improved practicality and a much more refined finish.
Project Overview
The original bathroom was tired, visually heavy and no longer making the best use of the available space. It featured an older corner bath, a bulky tiled basin structure, outdated wall finishes, exposed service routes and signs of age-related wear. Once we began the demolition phase, further issues became visible, including areas affected by moisture, older construction details, and a service layout that needed substantial reworking.
We stripped the room back extensively, removing the existing sanitaryware, opening up the walls, lifting the floor and exposing the relevant plumbing and waste connections. This allowed us to assess the condition of the room properly and carry out the work from a sound starting point rather than building over outdated or unsuitable backgrounds.
From there, we reconfigured the plumbing layout, rebuilt the affected wall and floor sections, boxed in the soil stack and pipework more effectively, and fully reboarded the room. Once the structure and first-fix works were complete, we prepared the walls and ceiling, installed the new suite, added the final finishes, and completed the bathroom with a coordinated modern scheme.
Here’s what we did:
- Full removal of the existing bathroom suite
- Removal of the original corner bath, WC, basin and tiled vanity structure
- Removal of old wall finishes and preparation layers
- Opening up sections of the wall, floor and ceiling to access services
- Exposure and reworking of existing plumbing and waste runs
- Reconfiguration of hot and cold feeds for the new sanitaryware
- Adjustment of the WC connection and the surrounding soil pipe arrangement
- Rebuilding and boxing in of service routes and vertical stackwork
- Reinstatement and rebuilding of floor sections after plumbing works
- Full reboarding of walls and service boxing
- Preparation of walls and ceiling for final finishing
- Installation of a new straight bath with a front panel
- Installation of deck-mounted bath filler taps
- Installation of a thermostatic over-bath shower with handset and drencher head
- Installation of a glass bath screen
- Installation of large-format marble-effect wall panels in the bath and shower area
- Installation of new large-format floor tiles
- Installation of a modern close-coupled WC
- Installation of a vanity unit with basin and mixer tap
- Installation of a mirror and splashback detail
- Installation of a chrome heated towel rail
- Installation of a wall-mounted storage unit
- Renewal of lighting and extractor provision
- Full decoration and finishing throughout
Materials and Finishes
The finished bathroom uses a carefully balanced combination of practical and decorative materials to create a room that feels modern, durable and easy to maintain.
Large-format wall panels
The bath and shower area was finished with dark marble-effect wall panels. These panels create a striking focal point whilst also offering a practical surface in a wet area. Their reduced number of joints gives the walls a cleaner appearance and helps simplify ongoing maintenance when compared with more heavily jointed traditional tiling.
Large-format floor tiles
The new floor finish brings a contemporary feel to the room. It complements the darker wall panels without overwhelming the space. The larger tile format also helps the floor read more cleanly across the room, which supports the overall sense of order and openness.
Modern white sanitaryware
The bath, WC and basin unit were chosen to keep the room feeling bright, crisp and uncluttered. Against the darker flooring and wall panelling, the white sanitaryware provides contrast and clarity, helping each area of the room feel well defined.
Chrome brassware and towel rail
The chrome fittings introduce a clean, polished finish and tie the scheme together consistently across the shower, taps and heated towel rail.
Boxed and refinished service areas
One of the most important background materials in this project was not decorative at all – it was the new boarding, framing and boxing work. These elements allowed us to conceal awkward pipework and soil services properly, which was essential to achieving such a tidy finished result.
Challenges and Solutions
1. The room needed more than a cosmetic update
Once the original bathroom was removed, it was clear that this was not a case of simply swapping old products for new ones. The room required a proper reset, with the walls, floor and services needing significant attention before the finishing stage could even begin.
Our solution:
We stripped the room back far enough to deal with the underlying issues correctly, giving the project a sound basis and avoiding compromises later in the build.
2. Existing pipework and waste routes created an awkward layout
The original service arrangement, particularly around the WC and window wall, was visually intrusive and limited how cleanly the room could be finished.
Our solution:
We reworked the plumbing layout and rebuilt the surrounding areas with carefully formed boxing and framing, allowing the services to be concealed more effectively and the room to feel more balanced.
3. The original corner bath made the room feel dated and less efficient
The existing bath shape dominated the room and contributed to a layout that felt heavy and awkward.
Our solution:
We replaced it with a straight bath and integrated shower screen arrangement, which simplified the layout, improved usability and gave the bathroom a much cleaner visual line.
4. The room needed extensive rebuilding before final finishes could be applied
With sections of the walls and floor opened up, accurate reinstatement was crucial. Poor groundwork would have affected everything from panelling alignment to product fit and final appearance.
Our solution:
We rebuilt the background structure properly, reboarded the room thoroughly, and prepared all surfaces carefully before moving into the finishing stages.
5. Storage and practicality had to improve alongside appearance
A successful family bathroom needs to work well day to day, not just look smart in photographs.
Our solution:
We introduced a vanity unit for enclosed storage, a wall-mounted cabinet, a heated towel rail and a practical bath-shower combination, helping the room perform better whilst still looking streamlined.
Final Results & Client Satisfaction
The completed bathroom is a complete transformation. What was once a dated, cluttered and tired room is now a sharp, modern and highly usable space with a far more confident layout.
The dark marble-effect wall panels create impact without making the room feel closed in, while the grey wall finish and large-format floor tiles give the space a calm, contemporary feel. The new bath and shower arrangement improves practicality, the vanity unit brings better storage and cleaner lines, and the concealed services make the room feel ordered and well resolved.
Most importantly, the finished result reflects the work that went into the project behind the scenes. This was not just about choosing new products – it was about stripping the room back, solving the hidden issues properly, rebuilding the important elements with care, and delivering a bathroom that feels coherent from every angle.
Client Outcome
This renovation delivered a bathroom that is better in every practical sense – more attractive, easier to maintain, more functional and far more in keeping with a modern home. By addressing the structural and plumbing requirements early, we were able to create a finished room that not only looks right but is built on the right foundations.
That is where long-term value comes from in a bathroom project – not from surface-level changes alone, but from doing the work properly at every stage.
Final Words
At Complete Heating, we understand that successful bathroom renovations depend on more than the final suite selection. They depend on clear planning, strong technical knowledge, quality plumbing work, sound preparation and the ability to manage every stage of the installation with care.
This project demonstrates exactly that. By combining remedial works, thoughtful reconfiguration and a high-quality finish, we delivered a bathroom that is both visually impressive and genuinely practical for everyday living. It is a strong example of the level of craftsmanship, problem-solving and attention to detail we bring to every renovation we undertake.
