From smart tech to stunning lighting, Graham Halsall, Sales Director at hib. explains how to turn everyday installs into high-end projects.
Bathroom installations today are about much more than function, they’re also about delivering a high-end experience. For installers, this shift presents not just a creative opportunity but a financial one, too. By understanding the trends driving homeowner demand and knowing how to suggest the right features, installers can increase the profitability of each job.
The power of premium
It’s no secret that premium products carry higher margins, but the key is knowing which features customers are looking for. Increasingly, homeowners are looking to transform their bathrooms from purely functional spaces into personal sanctuaries. They want mood, atmosphere, and a little bit of luxury. That’s where features like illuminated mirrors, ambient lighting, clever storage solutions, and smart technology come in.
So, instead of offering a basic mirror, why not suggest one with built-in LED lighting and a demister pad? Instead of a standard cabinet, why not recommend a sleek design with charging ports and integrated lighting? Each of these upgrades doesn’t just enhance the bathroom, they enhance the overall value of the installation.
Lighting: the ‘wow’ factor
Lighting has become one of the biggest game-changers in modern bathroom design. Homeowners are increasingly aware of how lighting can affect mood, function and style, and they’re looking for solutions that work hard on all fronts.
Try recommending products that combine practical lighting with ambient effects, they can dramatically lift the visual impact of the space and their own earnings. Think about how LED-lit mirrors, under-cabinet lights, or backlit cabinets can change the feel of a room. These features create a ‘wow’ factor and tap into the homeowner’s desire for something special.
From smart features to smart sales
Smart technology is everywhere in the home, and the bathroom is no exception. Whether it’s cabinets with integrated charging, mirrors with touchless controls, or products that sync with the home’s wider smart systems, these features add perceived value and sophistication.
Installers who can confidently explain the benefits of these innovations – not just the technical details, but the lifestyle perks – are better positioned. It’s about painting a picture: imagine stepping into a bathroom that adjusts its lighting to match your mood or schedule, or a mirror that stays crystal clear no matter how steamy the shower. These are the details that turn a bathroom from basic to brilliant, and that homeowners are happy to invest in.
The finishing touches
While big-ticket items like baths and showers naturally dominate attention, it’s often the smaller details that complete the look and lift the install to a luxury level. Accessories, lighting schemes, ventilation choices – these elements help create a cohesive, high-end space.
For installers, offering these finishing touches isn’t just about adding to the bill, but providing a complete service. By recommending accessories and features the homeowner might not have considered – or even known existed – installers position themselves as experts and ‘designers’ who can deliver a polished, thoughtfully imagined project.
Quality and reliability
Of course, product quality and reliability are also essential. Installers need products they can trust, ones that are straightforward to fit, perform as promised, and stand up to daily use.
When choosing which products to recommend, it’s worth prioritising those from brands known for innovation, design, and dependability. Strong warranties, excellent after-sales support, and robust technical documentation all help ensure that once a product is in place, it stays there – protecting both the homeowner’s satisfaction and your reputation. With more than 35 years of experience as a family-run business, hib. has built a reputation for developing bathroom products that blend style, functionality, and the latest technology.
One standout example is the hib. Vanquish recessed cabinet – a design that’s proving popular among installers not just for its aesthetics but for the upsell opportunities it creates alongside other premium bathroom features, like shower niches and wall-hung pans. Illuminated mirrors, demister cabinets, and smart storage solutions are also in high demand, giving installers a versatile toolkit for increasing both customer satisfaction and job profitability.
Supporting the installer’s success
Beyond products, hib. supports installers through its hib.pro platform, offering everything from product specialists and technical guides to installation videos and market-leading guarantees. These resources help installers work efficiently, reduce risks, and feel confident offering premium options to their clients.
