I live in the country and am completely reliant on tank water. I also have a grey water recycling system and can tell how much water has gone through it at any one time as the filters need to be cleaned after so many litres of water go through them. I can almost guarantee that the bath with a couple of grand kids splashing about for twenty minutes having fun will use less water than any of their parents showering does. Even topping it up with more hot water if needed. Unless you are very conservative with your showers baths are not that bad and the value they add to the resale of the average home outweighs any downside. I definately wouldn't buy a house without one. I have had a house that has a bath the size of the shower though, about 1m x 1m by maybe 40cm deep and I think it was called a hip bath. My sister in law has one at her house, she got it from Lanark, as her house only had a shower which is not practical and it was the cheaper option than redoing the whole bathroom. I dont know if that is what you are after or not.

Our last house had two showers, no bath. About twice a year, I'd yearn for a bath. Never really regretted not putting one in, thogh. New house does have a bath as well as two showers, so life is perfect. Re the accessible bathtubs, you have to get in, then sit there while they fill up, have your bath, then sit there while they drain. Some of them leak. And they use a lot of hot water. Personally, I'd go for a shower with a built in or molded bench to sit on. That way, youre not sitting there damp and shivering while the water drains.

I would check with your builder about re-using second-hand products as it may have warranty implications for your new home. Be sure you understand about tiling lips for bathtubs as it will affect your placement, waterproofing and tiling. I would not re-use, but sell it on ebay and buy a new equivalent rather then spending money on re-enamelling and re-installing. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

You should create the bathroom that works best for you. I have no family but for me a bathroom with no tub is a big no no because I like to have a bath occassionally. Yet I've walked through many homes recently in which the main bathroom had a shower only. A lot of people find better mileage with an oversized shower. Do you ever take baths? Do you ever have small children in your home? Do you need a tub to wash the dog in? Are you going to ever sell this home to a family with small children? If the answer is no to all of those then it may be a better use of your space to put in a shower only. I disagree that a shower over a bath is a big no no in a family home. If you have children under 5 a bath is a must. You cannot bath a small child in a shower [easily]. I've yet to meet anyone that absolutely hates a shower over a bath who wasn't an octagenarian and even then their objection is the fact their balance isn't what it used to be and they find getting in and out physically difficult. Go with what works for you and your situation. Anyone after you who buys this house can put it the way they like it later.