One piece shower VS tiles

[kateesc]

Hi all

Since I have been looking and recently bought my first home (!) I have been an avid reader of this forum - absolutely fab - congrats to all contributors!

I am hoping some wise person will be able to help with me with a quick query - my bathroom has a one piece (I am assuming fibreglass) 3 walled shower with shower curtain which I desperately would like to update - particularly as the walls are a lovely old ivory colour with green swirly/tiedye patterns...... I don't plan on living there long, so don't need anything special, just functional and simple.

I have a plumber coming on friday to quote, but I mentioned replacing it with another one piece he mentioned that an Englefield system would be best as a one piece (from auctions and the like) are usually too big to get in doorways etc.

A couple of threads on this site mention englefield, always seem to be followed by a comment on how expensive! Can someone please give me even a ballpark figure for a standard size three walled englefield system?

And more importantly, is there an alternative that might be cheaper? Should I go for tiles? A friend told me there are these kind of fake "sheets: of tile lookalikes as well??

Any advice much appreciated:D

[sports fan]

i wouldnt even consider a one piece shower! they probably are cheaper, but if you can do a bit of work ya self id be going the tiled/ shower screen option a quick cost breakdown:

1. remove existing- do yerself free
2. prepare surface for waterproof - $0-$50
3. plumber $500
3. waterproof - $220 approx or about $80-$100 if you do yaself
4. tiles - say $25m2
5. tiler - $35+/m2
6. shower screen $500- $600
7. shower head $150
8. taps $100

this is approx costings you can do it for under $2000 the more you do yaself the more you save

[Daren]

I was thinking of going a one piece unit aswell as I thought it might be easier to clean (ie less mould in grout) and less chance of leaks

??

heres some marbletrend units that range from 1000 - 2000 bucks

http://www.bathroomsonline.com.au/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=171