7 Bathroom Rip-Offs Homeowners Fall For (And How to Avoid Them)

Bathroom renovations should feel exciting. But for many homeowners, they end up feeling confusing, stressful and more expensive than expected. 

Not because people are careless. But because there are a few common traps that aren’t obvious until you’re already deep into the process. 

At Bathshack, we see the same issues come up again and again. 

So we wanted to share the most common bathroom rip-offs homeowners fall for and how to avoid them calmly and confidently. 

This isn’t about blame. It’s about helping you make informed decisions and avoid regret. 

Rip-Off #1: Paying for Design Decisions You Didn’t Actually Make 

Many homeowners don’t realise they’ve handed over design decisions without meaning to. 

Layout, tile size, finishes, even proportions, these choices often get made by default, simply because someone has to decide. 

The problem? 

When you don’t actively own those decisions, you can end up with a bathroom that technically works but doesn’t feel right. 

The fix is simple: make sure design choices are intentional, not accidental. 

Rip-Off #2: Being Sold “Premium” Materials That Don’t Suit Your Home 

Not every expensive product is the right product. Some materials are sold as “premium” because they look impressive, not just because they perform well in busy, everyday bathrooms. It depends on what’s important to you.   

In real homes, the best materials are the ones that: 

• age well
• are easy to live with
• suit how the space isactually used

Price alone doesn’t guarantee that. 

Rip-Off #3: Falling for Unrealistic Pinterest Bathrooms 

Pinterest is brilliant for inspiration but dangerous as a blueprint. 

Many bathrooms look stunning online because: 

• lightingis carefully staged
• rooms are larger than average
• layoutsaren’tconstrained by real-life plumbing or walls 

When those ideas are copied directly into a normal home, disappointment can follow. 

The smarter approach is to adapt inspiration, not replicate it. 

Rip-Off #4: Underestimating the True Cost of a Bathroom 

The biggest rip-off often isn’t what’s included it’s what isn’t. 

Costs that catch people out later often include: 

• preparation work
• waterproofing
• layout changes
• electrical adjustments

Planning for these early makes budgeting calmer, clearer, and far less stressful. 

Rip-Off #5: Choosing Tiles Without Understanding Size, Finish or Placement 

Tiles are often chosen on looks alone, and that’s where regret creeps in. 

Tile size, finish, and layout affect: 

• how big a bathroom feels
• how easy it is to clean
• how long it looks good

A beautiful tile can disappoint if it’s the wrong size or finish for the space. 

Rip-Off #6: Not Knowing Which Decisions Are Permanent 

Some bathroom decisions are easy to change later. Others really aren’t. 

The rip-off is focusing on taps and accessories while overlooking things like: 

• layout
• drainage
• tile placement
• waterproofing

Getting the permanent decisions right early makes everything else easier. 

Rip-Off #7: Thinking You Need to Know Everything Before You Start 

One of the biggest myths is that you need all the answers upfront. 

You don’t. Most people start with uncertainty and that’s completely normal. 

What matters is having: 

• a clear starting point
• honest guidance
• help prioritising decisions

Confidence comes from the process, not from knowing everything on day one. 

The Bigger Picture 

Bathroom renovations don’t go wrong because people don’t care. 

They go wrong when people aren’t given clear, calm guidance. 

Once you understand where the common traps are, they’re surprisingly easy to avoid. And the whole experience becomes far more enjoyable. 

Ready to Move Forward? 

If you’d like to talk through your ideas in person, our team is always happy to help you make sense of the options and plan with confidence. 

Visit us in store to see materials up close and talk through your space. 

Or, if you’re still exploring ideas or know what you want, browse our bathroom and tile collections online and start getting a feel for what suits you. Either way, we’re here to help you avoid the rip-offs and enjoy the process instead.