The importance of an After Care Guarantee in bathroom renovations

Undertaking a bathroom renovation can be a thrilling yet anxiety-inducing experience.

You've finally decided to take the plunge into home improvement, and as exciting as the project is, the decisions you make now could influence your daily life for years to come.

One of the crucial yet often overlooked aspects of a bathroom renovation is the after care guarantee. This is not just an add-on but a vital form of insurance that can dictate the success of your project in the long term, and unfortunately, it's not compulsory for a bathroom supplier to issue one. (In fact, most don’t which says a lot about the confidence they have in their work!)

In this post, we'll unpack the 'why' and 'how' of after care guarantees for your bathroom renovation, and give you advice on how you can ensure you get your hands on one when it's needed.

Why an after care guarantee matters

Unpacking the term

Before we dissect its significance, it's important to understand what an after care guarantee means.

In the context of bathroom renovations, an after care guarantee is a commitment from the installer or renovator that they will return to fix any issues that arise post-installation.

As mentioned above, from our research, very few installers do offer an after care guarantee, and those that do only extend theirs as far as 12 months. Conrad Designer Bathrooms offers a two year guarantee, ensuring that your investment is safeguarded against faults or malfunctions for that crucial extra bit of time..

How it differs from a product guarantee

It's important to clarify that an after care guarantee is different to the product guarantee, which covers individual items like fixtures or tiles. The after care guarantee relates to the overall completion of the renovation. While a product guarantee varies, the after care guarantee provides a consistent level of protection and service that is tailored to each homeowner's specific needs.

Peace of mind for homeowners

Amidst the myriad of choices and the stress of a major home project, the knowledge that your new home renovation is backed by an after care guarantee can be immensely reassuring. It acknowledges that despite the best preparations, things can go wrong, and in that instance, you are not alone. It's a reflection of the installer's confidence in their work and a demonstration of their commitment to customer satisfaction. So, if a bathroom fitter doesn't have one, you have to wonder why not.

Benefits of an after care guarantee in bathroom renovations

Support for up to two years

Imagine a scenario where a leak develops a few months after your renovation, or a tile starts to crack unexpectedly - a well-structured after care guarantee means no additional cost for rectifying such issues. It not only saves you money but also the inconvenience of finding and funding repairs.

It ensures quality workmanship

When a renovator extends an after care guarantee, they are indirectly declaring that they stand by the quality of their work. Knowing that the builder has a stake in the longevity of your bathroom can lead to a more thorough job and increased attention to detail, ensuring that your new space is built to last.

How to get an after care guarantee with your next bathroom project

Communication is key

Be sure to ask your bathroom renovator about the after care guarantee before signing a contract. If they don't offer one, try negotiating for an add-on or consider looking elsewhere.

Choose a small, independent supplier

Smaller, family-owned businesses are more likely to offer an after care guarantee as they value their reputation and strive for customer satisfaction. They also tend to be more flexible with tailoring the warranty to your specific needs.

Conrad Designer Bathrooms provides an after care guarantee with every project.

Get it in writing

As with any important agreement, make sure you have the after care guarantee documented in writing. This ensures that both parties are clear on what is included and for how long.

Keep your end of the bargain

An after care guarantee works both ways. To maintain its validity, you must adhere to any maintenance or care instructions provided by the installer. This could include regular cleaning and upkeep of certain materials or fixtures.

Water can be very damaging, so if you see something small like some silicon is starting to fail or a small crack has appeared on your wet room floor, don’t wait to have it fixed. These problems will only get worse if left, potentially leading to major damage being created as well as the disruption made to getting it fixed.

Notify your installer as soon as you spot a problem and it could take them only 10 minutes to fix it.

How it works in practice

Scenario 1

We recently returned to a property 20 months after installation as their shower was no longer working properly. We contacted the manufacturer to obtain replacement parts and when we returned, we noticed that some of the silicon around the shower had started to fail causing some minor damage to the surrounding area. Although the client hadn’t noticed,  we notified them of the problem and proceeded to replace the damaged silicon.

Scenario 2

A client had recently moved into a new property where the master ensuite had been entirely self-built by the previous owner. The installation was very poor so we removed and re-installed a new ensuite. All of the plumbing worked so we connected onto the existing supply, however, after six months the basin developed a problem and the hot water stopped working. We made several attempts to fix it but the problem kept returning. 

Fast forward 20 months and we finally identified that the problem was the original supplies the previous owner had put in. This meant fixing the problem would involve running new supplies back to the boiler which was no small task. The client offered to pay for the additional work, however we refused, and after 1.5 days new supplies were installed and the basin now works perfectly.

Conclusion

The completion of a bathroom renovation should signal the beginning of a worry-free era in your home, not the onset of potential troubles. An after care guarantee ensures that the transformation of your bathroom is not just a short-term delight but a lasting enjoyment.

Remember, a partnership with a bathroom specialist who offers a robust after care guarantee is an investment in your home's future. Take the time to prioritise your comfort and peace of mind — after all, your bathroom is one of the most used and critical spaces within your home.

Ready to transform your bathroom with the assurance of lasting satisfaction? Contact Conrad Designer Bathrooms today to schedule your free design consultation.

Experience the peace of mind that comes with our comprehensive after care guarantee provided with every project.