Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Multi-Jet Shower System for Your Home

When you're looking at multi-jet shower systems that range from $49 to $700 and more, you better know what you're talking about. Otherwise, you could lose big bucks on just the custom bathroom equipment. Add the increase in your water bill, and you've probably got a lot more than you bargained for. In addition, the names for these systems vary widely, from body spas and performance showers to hand, head and side showers, custom showers, multi-jet showers, among others. Simply put, there are a dizzying array of models and choices that make buying a multi-jet system more complex than you think.

That's right, not all multi-jet shower systems are alike. Several elements distinguish one system or product line from another. Some multi-jet shower systems are more affordable than others, like the all-in one shower type. Others are built for sheer fun. Still others are part of a larger bath spa experience. The question is: what do you want from your multi-jet shower system? A post-workout, high performing shower or one that serves a variety of needs?

Ready to take the plunge? Looking for some advice before you visit your local bath showroom? Check out these Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Multi-Jet Shower System for Your Home. Sure to help you and your family make the right choices for a new bath spa for your home and bath.

Multi-Jet Shower System Tip 1. Do your homework before you visit your local designer bath showroom. An easy way to do this is to browse online for ideas and pictures of multi-jet shower systems. Check out discount sites like Plumbing Express or Sinks Faucets and More and visit specialty dealers like Designer Plumbing Outlet. Discontinued Kohler is a great site that features hard-to-find replacement items for your bathroom, but it falls short on variety for multi-jet shower systems and parts. Notice the different product lines, options and pricing. Read the specifications for each. Get an idea of what would work in your home. Take good notes. Prepare some questions, and you're ready to go.

Multi-Jet Shower System Tip 2. Be sure to measure your shower area. Be sure to measure your bath and shower area before you visit your local designer bath showroom or plumbing fixture supply store. Not only will the sales representative want to know how big or small your shower area is, but understanding the size of the entire space is very helpful. Some of these multi-jet shower systems are very pricey. Or, they're manufactured with large scale bath and shower rooms in mind. Whatever the case in your home, having these measurements readily available will help you determine what's best for your bathroom.

Multi-Jet Shower System Tip 3. Consider your needs. Are you looking for a complete bathroom spa experience or just a little more water coming out of your shower head? Are you planning on remodeling the entire bathroom or just the shower area? Is your bathroom used by the whole family or just a few? These and other specific questions will help you determine the appropriate multi-jet shower system for you. Thinking about them in advance of visiting the showroom or buying online will help prevent you from buying more than what you absolutely need or getting carried away in the process.

Multi-Jet Shower System Tip 4. Develop a budget. If the multi-jet shower system is the only purchase you intend to make, developing a budget for this item should be fairly simple. If it's part of a larger bathroom remodel, that's another story altogether. By developing a budget, you will ensure that you don't buy more of a system than you absolutely need. And, you'll reserve funds for the costs associated with installing additional pipes, hardware and labor. I like to use the budget sheets and cost estimators that are available on line on sites like Let's Renovate. These tools really allow you to consider all the costs associated with your bathroom remodel or upgrade.

Multi-Jet Shower System Tip 5. Look at standalone systems and all-in-one shower panels. Many of these cool bath-and-shower systems are manufactured with an older home or remodel in mind. As a result, some of these multi-jet systems are available in an all-in-one shower power that can be fitted onto an existing bath or shower. While affordable, they still carry a pretty hefty price tag (from $1500) but they will safe you from higher installation fees. Of course, there are trade offs with each option and it's vitally important to assess your needs in advance of visiting a bathroom design showroom or local home improvement retail outlet like Home Depot or Lowes.

RESOURCES

Bathroom Manufacturers Association
www.bathroom-association.org

National Kitchen and Bath Association
www.nkba.org

Body Spas in A Bathroom Guide
www.abathroomguide.com

Faucets Online
www.faucetline.com