Hiring the wrong bathroom fitter can turn what should be an exciting home improvement into a stressful, expensive nightmare. Every year, thousands of homeowners across Kent deal with botched installations, abandoned projects, and hidden charges. The good news is that most of these problems are avoidable if you know what to look for before you commit.
Here are the seven things we recommend checking before you hire anyone to work on your bathroom.
1. Check Their Checkatrade or TrustMark Profile
Checkatrade and TrustMark are the two most reliable verification platforms in the UK. Both require traders to prove their qualifications, provide evidence of insurance, and submit to ongoing customer reviews. A Checkatrade profile with 15+ reviews and a score above 9/10 is a strong indicator of consistent quality.
Be cautious of fitters who only have reviews on their own website or social media — these are easy to fabricate. Third-party verified reviews carry far more weight. You can check our verified reviews here — we maintain a 10/10 rating on Checkatrade.
2. Ask for a Fixed-Price Written Quote
A verbal estimate is not a quote. Before any work begins, you should have a written, itemised quote that breaks down the cost of labour, materials, and any additional work. The quote should be fixed — meaning the price you agree is the price you pay, with no surprises at the end.
At GWS, every quote starts with a free site visit where George measures the space, discusses your requirements, and provides a detailed quote within 48 hours. See our transparent pricing guide for typical costs.
3. Verify Their Insurance
Any bathroom fitter working in your home should carry public liability insurance — ideally £1 million or more. This protects you if something goes wrong during the installation, such as water damage to your property or injury to a third party. Ask to see a copy of their insurance certificate before work begins.
We carry £2 million public liability insurance and are happy to provide proof on request.
4. Look at Their Portfolio
A reputable bathroom fitter should be proud to show you their previous work. Look for before-and-after photos that demonstrate a range of styles and budgets. Pay attention to the quality of tiling, the neatness of plumbing connections, and the overall finish.
Browse our portfolio of completed bathrooms across Dartford, Bexley, and Kent to see the standard of work we deliver.
5. Check They Handle All Trades
A bathroom renovation involves plumbing, tiling, electrics, plastering, and sometimes carpentry. Some fitters only handle the plumbing and leave you to coordinate the other trades yourself. This creates gaps in responsibility and can lead to finger-pointing if something goes wrong.
The best bathroom fitters manage the entire project from strip-out to final snagging. At GWS, George coordinates all trades and acts as your single point of contact throughout the project.
6. Ask About Their Guarantee
A confident fitter will guarantee their workmanship. Ask how long the guarantee lasts, what it covers, and whether it's in writing. Be wary of anyone who won't commit to a written guarantee — it suggests they don't stand behind their work.
We provide a 6-month workmanship guarantee on all installations. If anything we've done develops a fault within that period, we come back and fix it at no charge.
7. Choose Local
A bathroom fitter based in your area has several advantages: faster response times, knowledge of local building regulations, familiarity with the housing stock, and greater accountability. A local fitter relies on their reputation in the community, which means they're more likely to go the extra mile.
We're based in Dartford and serve homeowners across Kent and SE London, including Bexleyheath, Bromley, Greenwich, Sidcup, and Gravesend.
Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away from any fitter who:
- Asks for full payment upfront (a small deposit is normal; full payment is not)
- Won't provide a written quote
- Has no online reviews or only reviews on their own website
- Can't show you examples of previous work
- Pressures you to make a quick decision
- Doesn't have insurance or won't show proof
Ready to Get a Quote?
If you're looking for a trusted bathroom fitter in Kent, we'd love to hear from you. Request a free quote or call George on 07376 641877. We also offer Klarna finance to spread the cost of your renovation interest-free.