Offering insight for the sector at large, research from City Plumbing reveals how attitudes towards bathroom renovation projects are reflecting the current cost-of-living pressures and changing lifestyles.
According to the City Plumbing findings, collated in its latest Taking the Temperature report, homeowners are increasingly choosing to “make their existing homes work harder for them” with bathroom renovations reflecting both financial and functional priorities. Indeed, more than a third (35%) of plumbers and installers reported a rising demand for full bathroom renovations and new installations, while a quarter (25%) said repair work is increasing. Another 34% have seen an even split between renovation and repair.
The top driver for renovations is now said to be function, rather than style, with 42% of installers saying their customers want to adapt their bathrooms to better suit changing mobility needs or lifestyle preferences — for example, swapping a bath for a shower.
Of course, style is still important, with 30% saying customers want a more modern look, but the shift in motivations underlines a more considered approach as households focus on creating spaces that are “functional, accessible and fit for the long term.”
Moreover, the research aligns with the wider ‘improve, not move’ trend, as 35% of installers said more homeowners are upgrading their bathrooms instead of moving house. Equally, for those who are buying new homes, 34% of professionals said that homeowners are refreshing bathrooms to make the space their own.
Repairs remain a significant choice too, “driven by both cost-of-living concerns and sustainability.” Here, more than a third (37%) of installers said their customers “choose to repair rather than replace to cut down on waste, while 35% said affordability is the key factor.”
Steve Smith, Managing Director of Bathrooms at City Plumbing, commented: “This shift between renovation and repair shows how homeowners are balancing aspirations and long-term planning with budgets and environmental impact. Installers have a great opportunity to offer solutions that meet these needs — whether that’s a full bathroom upgrade to improve accessibility, or simple repairs to extend the life of existing fixtures.
“With over 280 newly refurbished branches, installers can bring customers to see a wide range of options first-hand — including our iflo range, which is now bigger than ever. The latest products — including panelling and a greater choice of styles, colours and finishes — are featured in our new brochure, which showcases all our brands and solutions together to meet trends and demand for bathroom renovations and repairs.”
City Plumbing has also recently teamed up with Virtualstock to expand its online marketplace. The Highbourne Group business initially adopted the UK-based retail technology firm’s order management system to streamline supplier onboarding and extend its range in existing categories, stating that “within just a few weeks of going live,” it added thousands of new products to its online range while avoiding the inventory risks typically associated with range expansion.
The merchant has now broadened the use of Virtualstock across warehouse operations, new supplier relationships, and even new product categories, “appealing to a wider customer base beyond its traditional trade audience.”
With “minimal integration required,” the platform delivers real-time visibility of stock and orders across multiple brands, enabling City Plumbing to “manage and sell seamlessly across its entire portfolio.”
