Installing disabled shower on concrete floor

[cr0ft]

Hi all,

I went to quote for a customer the other day who wants a job done for his dad who lives in a block of retirement flats. The current waste pipe for the bath runs through the wall about a foot up from the floor. The requirement is for a new shower which is at floor level so that the dad doesn't have to step up to get into it. The bath will be going of course and the shower will go in its place.

The floor is a concrete floor (ground level). Supply pipework comes through the floor where the shower is to go (sheathed in plastic conduit of course). The only way I can see to meet this requirement is to substantially chase out the floor (i.e. to the depth of the shower tray) and use a shower macerator to pump the waste out of the current waste branch.

The guy has indicated his budget is £2-4k to include tiling, rerouting pipes. This is to include supply of macerator, shower unit, tiles etc and all sundries.

I'm thinking this is a walk away job, anyone got any other suggestions/ideas? It seems like a complete pain to me.

Oh, the job location is the South Coast (Hampshire).

 

[Mike Jackson]

There are lots of solutions available for this problem. First thing you need to ascertain is whether the customer wants a step in tray or level access. From your description I'm guessing level access. Specialist manufacturers will be able to supply completely level access trays that require very little floor removal.

You will also need a suction pump. These are available with a small gully with a flow switch or as top suction. Top suction is only really suitable for use with an electric shower as they need to be switched on each time the shower is used.

I used to use ESL healthcare in Eastbourne who are now part of the Pressalit group.

£4k sounds too cheap to do the job properly though. As soon as you move into these specialist markets material costs rocket. It's over 3 years since I've done a disabled bathroom conversion and you were looking at more than that then.

Mike

 

[uug197h]

Have a look at Drainage Solutions from Impey UK ™ they do a full range of wet room and disabled access shower solutions,
2K to 4K is too cheap if he calls a specialist company it will be around 7k to 12k but you should be able to do the full job including supplying everything including tiling for around 6K

 

[Ivan_Leak]

we have done disabled adaptation work, fitting level access shower trays usually for elderley customers, chase the floor out deep enough for the waste outlet beneath, lay tray down on sand and cement mix, used a whale pumped waste mounted on the wall, complete with a mira electric shower with flow switch fitted. the shower tray, doors, pump etc supplied by a firm called pro care

 

[dontknowitall]

You could suggest that a "plumber" will be able to do this for around £3k. But then either the extras would come in or another plumber would be required to finish the job properly and would probably end up costing £...k

I'd go with the above figures (without seeing the job, of course) of around £6-£8k. Many of the disabled have more money available that they indicate - NOT a reason to sting them for as much as possible - and in many other cases the younger (working) generation will sometimes help them out.

If it's possible, I'd also ask to speak to a son/daughter to make sure they job is going to pay you and everyone is happy. Again not all, but many of the elderly have a degree of dementia and the last thing you want is a younger relative/next of kin blasting away at you for taking advantage.

If the above sounds like I don't trust the older generation, that's not what I mean. Many of my customers are nearly double my age and I feel it's sensible to be gentle with them and occasionally ask if I can make sure it's okay to do the work by chatting to a relative first, so that we all know where we stand.