Alright, so you’re thinking about redoing your loo, yeah? And you’re sat there wondering, “Blimey, how on earth do I find someone decent to do it?” I’ve been there. Actually, scratch that—I *am* there. My own bathroom’s still got that awful peach tile from the ’90s. Drives me mad every morning.
Let’s be real, it’s not like picking a takeaway. You can’t just scroll through an app and hope for the best. I learned that the hard way back in 2021. Wanted a wet room put in my flat in Bow. Found this bloke online—his profile looked proper smart, photos of shiny taps and all. Turns out his idea of “waterproof” was basically extra silicone squeezed everywhere. Had a leak within a week. My downstairs neighbour… well, let’s just say she wasn’t chuffed.
So, first things first—put down your phone. Seriously. Go old school. Ask around. Your mate at the pub, that chatty neighbour who’s always doing DIY, even your barista if you’re a regular. People love to talk about their home disasters… and their wins. I got a tip for my current tiler from the bloke who runs my local hardware shop in Hackney. Said he’d been supplying him for years, always paid on time, knew his stuff. That’s gold, that is.
Then, when you’ve got a name or two, don’t just look at their portfolio. Anyone can nick photos off Pinterest, swear down. You gotta talk to them. I always ask to see a job they finished at least six months ago. Why? Because anyone can make something look good on day one. I wanna see how the grout’s holding up, if the sealant’s gone mouldy, if the door still shuts proper. A good pro won’t mind. The chap I’m hoping to use—met him at a finished job in Stoke Newington last month. He pointed out a tiny chip in the tile *himself*. “Happened during the final clean,” he said. “We’re only human.” Now *that* got my attention.
Oh, and contracts! Don’t you roll your eyes. I used to think a handshake was enough. My dad’s generation, right? But get it in writing. Not some fancy legal document, just a clear list: what they’ll do, what you’ll supply, when they’ll start, when they’ll finish, and how much. And please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t pay it all upfront. Staged payments are your best friend.
It’s a bit like dating, innit? You’re looking for red flags. If they only take cash, if they can start tomorrow, if they don’t ask you a single question about how you actually *use* your bathroom… run. A proper bathroom renovations near me expert will ask about your routine. Do you have long showers? Kids splashing about? Need storage for a million lotions? They should care.
At the end of the day, trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. It’s your space. You’re the one who has to live with it, not some random bloke with a fancy van. Take your time. Brew a cuppa, make some calls. The right person’s out there. Mine’s booked for spring… finally. Wish me luck!
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