Hi How2Girl, I appreciate your follow up! The Reece document is good - thanks - I wish there was something concrete in the Standards though. Worth notiing is that a shower over the bath needs the same wall-sheeting details as if it was a shower base. Also wall framing in the bathroom needs to be done to AS 1684.2-2010 Residential timber-framed construction - Non-cyclonic areas (Which the James Hardie 'wet area design book' is based on) Very frustrating that the Australian Standards are not readily available - ie FREE- or at least, latest copies at local libraries. How are we meant to build to standards when they are inaccessible. Another factor in determining the overall quality of the Australian construction industry Also what I've found frustrating in this instance is that other trades in my small town are unwilling to agree that the work is of very poor quality - there is an unstated 'brotherhood' at work. So Im going to have to engage an independent Building Certifier, probably from out of town. Of course,the cost for this will come off the builder's fees on a pro-rata basis for below-par work

This is a gorgeous reno, my favourite this year.

It's up to you with what you decide to do as a stop gap, I just thought it might be worth while trying paint on the walls first to see how it feels and save the cost of painting the bath and tiles and putting that towards a complete redo We have beige fittings in our ensuite and having cracked the WC we had to replace it with a new White suite from Bunnings, it's a lovely modern suite that covers and fits all the existing plumbing I think it cost $150 which husband fitted. I think that you already have a newish white vanity which will work with your new suite. Black beige and white are great mates and perhaps add something timber via a blind above the bath, can't see what your window is like, cheers

Which plumbing are you disconnecting to get a faster flow? Have you tried a good old fashioned plunger? They don’t just work on blockages but can help prime the pipe and work with the water in the U bend to remove air. Do you have water in the U bend? If it’s new or hasn’t been used in a while then the water may have evaporated. I’d tend to agree with the bathroom shop, it will be a plumbing or installation issue. Get a second plumber opinion.