Requesting a quote for a bathroom: What to put in your quote request
Comparis explains what information your request must contain so that you can receive good offers and protect your budget.
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1. The essentials in brief
The quote request includes Information on the current condition of the room, your expectations and your preferences for the new bathroom.
If possible, add photos of the current bathroom and a plan for the design of the new bathroom.
Compare at least three cost estimates, in order to select the best offer.
Reuse furniture and sanitary facilities, choose entry-level models and clarify the hourly rate. This is how to keep your budget under control.
2. Describe the work and the general conditions
A request for a quote must give the company a clear picture of the work to be carried out, the current situation and the general conditions of the project. The request contains practical information, the current condition of the room and your expectations.
| Area | What to include in the quote request |
|---|---|
| Practical information | Your contact details and the address of the building site. The type of dwelling and its features: house or flat, lifts or narrow stairs, new build or simple renovation. |
| Current condition of the room | The dimensions in m², the ceiling height. Elements to be removed or demolished. The current coverings, sockets and water connections. |
| New project | The desired (new) fittings for the sanitary facilities. The desired coverings. Preferred models and brands; indicate whether you will buy the furniture and sanitary fittings yourself (the company will only handle the installation) or whether the company will supply you with everything. The new appliances to be installed (towel warmer, washing column). |
| Possible problems | Leak, moisture, insulation |
| Schedule and deadline | Indicate the desired date for the start of the work, whether there is a deadline (move or rental) and whether it is your only bathroom in a main residence. |
Advice from Comparis: Include photos of the current bathroom and a plan of the new bathroom in your enquiry.
3. Save your bathroom budget
In Switzerland, the price of a bathroom renovation varies greatly depending on the fittings, materials and sanitary ware.
To keep your bathroom renovation budget under control, you need to bear the following in mind:
Reuse your furniture or opt for second-hand furniture. The sanitary fittings (toilet, washbasin, etc.) can often be reused.
When buying new products, choose a standard range from a major brand. Don’t hesitate to ask the company if there are equivalent models that are cheaper than what is being offered to you.
Set a maximum budget with a safety margin of 10 to 15% to cover any unforeseen expenses (e.g. old pipes discovered behind the tiles).
Take your time, to speak to the company carrying out the work: What impact will changing the type of flooring have on the installation time? Is there an equivalent toilet from another brand?
Compare multiple quotes. Ideally three or four, to see the price of the material, the installation times and the hourly rate.
Choose a company nearby. This limits the travel time that is billed.
Avoid nasty surprises by requesting the hourly rate in writing for the additional work. This is the rate that is applied in the event of unforeseen events or when additional work is requested.
Good to know:
Hourly rates may vary depending on the profession (electrician, tiler, plumber) and region. It is worth consulting the publications of professional associations to get a price range to obtain a price range. Reuse your existing equipment or opt for used plumbing fixtures. In Zurich, for example, Bauteile Zürich / not new offers second-hand building materials.
4. Save time when requesting a quote
To save time when requesting a quote, specify your expectations and the current condition of the room precisely. Remember to add details about the deadlines and, if possible, a plan to visualise the design of the bathroom you want.
To manage the budget for the new bathroom, it is possible to reuse existing sanitary facilities and furniture, choose second-hand items or a standard range and, above all, compare at least three quotes. At Comparis, you can get up to four quotes from plumbing companies, free of charge and with no obligation.
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