Where to start ?
Distribute resources fairly
The budget is certainly the main constraint that will influence our work on the bathroom renovation. As with any project, there is a key word that may seem almost trivial but is truly the secret to success: BALANCE. To achieve a good result, it is necessary to accurately estimate the expenses that will arise. Distributing resources fairly between the design phase, labor costs, installation, and purchased materials is the winning formula that will provide us with the satisfaction of a job well done.
Who does what?
Some might be tempted to entrust all responsibilities to a supplier who takes care of everything. This trend has led to the market increasingly offering turnkey solutions. There are now material suppliers who have organized design studios and teams of craftsmen within their own structure, tasked with carrying out the work. Similarly, there are plumbers who no longer limit themselves to installing faucets and sanitary ware but tend to offer their own commercialized products to the client. Even architects, in some cases, have changed their business model. Originally, they were responsible for designing a project, but today it is increasingly common to find professionals who not only handle the design phase but also assist the client in selecting materials, receiving a commission from the manufacturer, if not transforming into actual companies that buy and resell the various products featured in their projects.
Who pays?
These additional services, compared to the original company mission, are a way to generate more profit, and it's important to remember that they are never free, although some commercial packages may suggest otherwise.
What condition is the construction site in?
Another limitation to consider is the architectural constraints. In newly built homes, this problem is less significant, but if we think about renovations—which in Europe represent the majority of residential construction projects—we often deal with existing walls and systems to which new solutions must be adapted. With decades of experience in faucets, I’ve noticed that wall-mounted built-in solutions give the bathroom an unparalleled elegance and clean design compared to external faucets. However, to achieve this, one must be able to break into the walls and install the necessary technologies inside. This minimalist aesthetic choice requires that, in the future, the system must be inspectable within the wall.
Non-binding built-in parts
Today, the market offers practical and sophisticated solutions that completely separate the functional mechanism (built-in body) from the aesthetic element (external finish). It’s therefore possible to envision a built-in system that will remain functional for many decades, allowing for aesthetic elements to be updated more frequently, thereby adapting the bathroom to new market trends—not only in terms of finish or design but even upgrading the functional mechanism (cartridge) with solutions that are not yet available on the market. Another important architectural constraint is the increasingly thin drywall. It limits the selection of many options.
Environment
The environmental context in which the bathroom is to be renovated is crucial in determining a choice. Focusing on faucets, it is evident that a bathroom in a high-turnover hotel room should be designed differently than a master bathroom in a residential home. Not all finishes are the same, and not all are suitable for a setting subjected to a high level of wear and tear from usage and cleaning services that, in hotels, must prioritize speed.
Design style
Additionally, there is also an aspect tied to architectural coherence and design. If the decor leans towards absolute minimalism, it’s hard to imagine empire-style sanitary ware and faucets, and some finishes pair wonderfully in a country or rustic setting but do not align with the post-industrial context of certain lofts.
Who will use the bathroom ?
Lastly, it's essential to mention functionality. To start designing a bathroom, it's crucial to know exactly who will use it. Adult men, women, children, young people, and the elderly use the bathroom in completely different ways, with varied frequencies and rhythms that can’t be compared. If you have the opportunity to build your bathroom according to these specific needs, you’ll achieve a result that will pay off in years of use. Young people prefer showers, women need water control in the shower with the main flow coming from the handheld showerhead rather than the overhead shower. Thermostatic showers are a sophisticated technology that maintains a constant water temperature but are equally delicate and often misunderstood by users. The wall-mounted suspended toilets and bidets, which became very fashionable, were thought to be more practical for floor cleaning, but they sometimes turn out to be less comfortable than floor-standing solutions.
Almost lost?
All these constraints, and many others, may seem daunting to an inexperienced customer who, lacking full control of the situation, ends up leaving the decision-making to others. My years of experience have shown that many "professionals," once they find a solution that satisfies their customers, tend not to revisit the already solved problem. They will replicate the ideal solution endlessly, selling the same design to everyone with minimal variations.
That's what we're here for
When we decided to embark on the PRO-SER path, we envisioned offering a service to clients that would help them navigate this maze of choices. Our experience, knowledge of the products on the market, and independence give us a privileged perspective, which we want to make available to the clients who trust us. Through a preliminary conversation, even via videocall (click on the blue button below), we analyze the need and select the best proposals offered by the partner companies we work with regularly. It’s never a search for the manufacturer present on the market. We have chosen to establish long-term agreements with various suppliers. This ensures we have an important voice in negotiating the best possible conditions with the manufacturers and, if necessary, providing all post-sale assistance related to installation and placement issues or complaints about quality. This type of service is beneficial to the customer, who, thanks to an expert interlocutor, can entrust the project to capable hands.