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Every year, around the time the first mince pies appear in the shops, our phone starts ringing with the same request: ‘Can we get the bathroom done before Christmas?’
If you’re hosting family, have guests staying over, or simply don’t want to look at that cracked tile for another year, it’s an understandable wish. The honest answer is: possibly, if you move quickly.
The realistic timeline
A typical bathroom renovation takes one to three weeks of work on site. But that’s only part of the story. Before any work starts, there’s measuring, designing, choosing and ordering, and that can take several weeks on its own. We’ve written a full breakdown in our guide to how long a bathroom renovation takes.
Working backwards from Christmas:
- The last week before Christmas is not when you want your bathroom finished. Things happen. Give yourself a buffer.
- Work on site needs to start by early December at the latest for a standard bathroom.
- Orders need to be placed by mid-November, especially for made-to-measure shower screens, certain tiles and fitted furniture.
- That means deciding on your design by early to mid-November.
Every installer’s diary is different, so the most useful thing you can do is ask now. We’ll tell you straight away whether a pre-Christmas finish is realistic for your bathroom.
What to do this week if you want it done by Christmas
- Get a quote booked in. The sooner we’ve seen the room, the sooner we can plan.
- Start choosing. Have a look at tiles, suites and showers you like. Photos on your phone are a great help when we visit.
- Be decisive. Late changes are the most common cause of delays.
- Keep it simple. A like-for-like layout is quicker than moving everything around.
What if it’s too late?
If the timing doesn’t work, there are two good options.
Book for January. The new year is a popular time to start projects, and booking now secures your slot. You’ll also have time to choose carefully rather than rushing.
Do the quick fixes now. If the bathroom just needs to be presentable for guests, a few small jobs can make a surprising difference: re-siliconing a grubby bath, fixing a dripping tap or running toilet, swapping a tired toilet seat, or replacing a rusty towel rail. None of these needs weeks of planning, so they’re worth asking about even when a full refit isn’t possible before Christmas.
Older homes need more time
If you live in an older property, like many of the period houses around Halstead and Sudbury, allow a little extra time. Uneven walls and floors, old pipework and the odd surprise under the floorboards are all part of renovating a home with history. We plan for this, but it’s one more reason not to leave booking until the last minute.
Covering Colchester, Mersea and beyond
We fit bathrooms across Colchester, out to Mersea Island, and north towards Halstead and over the border to Sudbury. Wherever you are, we’ll give you an honest answer on whether your project can be finished in time. If it can’t, we’ll tell you.
Bathroom fitting near you
Frequently asked questions
Can you guarantee the bathroom will be finished before Christmas?
If we agree a start date and everything is ordered in good time, we’ll plan to finish well before Christmas. We won’t promise a date we don’t think is realistic.
Can I book now for January?
Yes. Booking early gives you the best choice of start dates and time to choose everything without rushing. Call us to check availability.
Will I have a working toilet over Christmas if the job overruns?
It’s a fair question to ask any installer. We’ll talk it through with you before we start, and if the timing looks tight, we’ll say so rather than risk it.
Check our availability
Call us today on 01621 503579 or request a free quote online. The sooner we hear from you, the more likely we can fit you in. You can also read more about our bathroom installations.
