My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard. There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work? Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: $8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

packat wrote:
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard. There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

How do you expect anyone to answer that? How much do you want to spend on
cabinetry? How much are the fixtures? Are you planning on using tile that
costs $1 or $10 per square foot? Are you tiling just the 64 sq.ft. floor
(less tub and vanity) or that plus all four walls - maybe 300 sq.ft. total?

And what is a "sideboard"? I know what it is in relation to a bed or wagon
but what is it in a bathroom?
________________

Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: $8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

Yeah. What do you get for that $8,000?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Sep 2, 9:02*am, packat wrote:
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. * I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. * All standard. *There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work? * Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: *$8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

I had my bath redone because of mold. Bath is about the same size as
yours but vanity and cabinets are in another room. Just a Tub and
toilet is all that is in the room. Used the same tub new toilet.
Ceramic tile installed around the tub and on the floor, rest of the
room drywall.$5000. I probably saved a grand by doing demolition work
myself

On Sep 2, 10:52*am, "dadiOH" wrote:
packat wrote:
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. * I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. * All standard. *There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

How do you expect anyone to answer that? *How much do you want to spend on
cabinetry? *How much are the fixtures? *Are you planning on using tile that
costs $1 or $10 per square foot? *Are you tiling just the 64 sq.ft. floor
(less tub and vanity) or that plus all four walls - maybe 300 sq.ft. total?


I am sorry for being so vague. I am new at this. It is the first job
I have ever done since I bought this house in 1998!!! :-)
I thought there might be some pricing statistics somewhere since
bathroom remodeling is a standard practice being performed on a
regular basis. And my bathroom is very standard in both dimension
and gadgets in it.

May be this information is available in some consumer report website?
I will try that and if found something useful, will post back here.

Thanks,
pax





And what is a "sideboard"? *I know what it is in relation to a bed or wagon
but what is it in a bathroom?
________________

Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: *$8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

Yeah. *What do you get for that $8,000?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it athttp://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Sep 2, 12:23*pm, packat wrote:
On Sep 2, 10:52*am, "dadiOH" wrote:

packat wrote:
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. * I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. * All standard. *There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

How do you expect anyone to answer that? *How much do you want to spend on
cabinetry? *How much are the fixtures? *Are you planning on using tile that
costs $1 or $10 per square foot? *Are you tiling just the 64 sq.ft. floor
(less tub and vanity) or that plus all four walls - maybe 300 sq.ft. total?

I am sorry for being so vague. *I am new at this. *It is the first job
I have ever done since I bought this house in 1998!!! * :-)
I thought there might be some pricing statistics somewhere since
bathroom remodeling is a standard practice being performed on a
regular basis. * And my bathroom is very standard in both dimension
and gadgets in it.

May be this information is available in some consumer report website?
I will try that and if found something useful, will post back here.

Thanks,
pax





And what is a "sideboard"? *I know what it is in relation to a bed or wagon
but what is it in a bathroom?
________________

Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: *$8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

Yeah. *What do you get for that $8,000?

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it athttp://mysite.verizon.net/xico- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I thought there might be some pricing statistics.

As dadiOH sort of hinted at, any "pricing statistics" would be based
on the materials used, the amount of labor involved and most
certainly, the location.

And my bathroom is very standard in both dimension and gadgets in
it

What may look like "standard" from where you're standing now may look
very different once they open the walls and/or floor.

When I did my bathroom, I put all of the fixtures in the exact same
place, but ended up have to replace all of the drains due to age and
condition.

Three contractors gave me very different estimates: $8000,
$17000, and $12000

I'm assuming that there are differences in what these contracts
include, especially the $8K vs the $17K ones. Look into the details
of each and that should help you understand what individual items, and
the associated labor, cost in each. e.g. Why does one contract say
$500 for the sink fixtures and the other one say $15.99? There must be
a difference and you need to do your homework to find out what it is.
After that, you'll be much more informed when talking to other
contractors and you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

"packat" wrote in message
...
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard. There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work? Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: $8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

I think you're about to get fleeced.

packat wrote:
On Sep 2, 10:52 am, "dadiOH" wrote:
packat wrote:
My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and
ceramic tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard.
There will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the
same place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

How do you expect anyone to answer that? How much do you want to
spend on cabinetry? How much are the fixtures? Are you planning on
using tile that costs $1 or $10 per square foot? Are you tiling just
the 64 sq.ft. floor (less tub and vanity) or that plus all four
walls - maybe 300 sq.ft. total?


I am sorry for being so vague. I am new at this. It is the first job
I have ever done since I bought this house in 1998!!! :-)

Before you can get estimates, you need to spec out what you want done.
Browse on the internet and/or local stores...

1. Select the make, model number and color of every fixture you want to
have.

2. Select make, type of construction, wood and finish for any cabinetry.
Ditto any lavatory tops.

3. Select the tile - manufacturer, style number, size...all details. If you
plan to use listellos (pricey) detail those too.

4. Decide upon what areas you want tiled with what tile. Measure each area
and determine the square footage.

At that point you could draw up a form to present to people you are
considering for the work. Something like...
_______________________

BATHROOM REMODEL

Scope of work:
a. Remove all old fixtures, install new.
b. Tile approximately xxx square feet of floor and xxx square feet of
wall.
(1) all tile to be detail it
(2) all grout to be color
(3) whatever else needs to be done

Fixtures
(detail each item you want including faucets)

Cabinetry
(detail each item you want including the tops if separate)
___________________

The more precise you can be, the better off you are as contractors can bid
and you know they are bidding apples to apples. What you want is for both
you and the contractor to know *exactly* what is going to be done.

What I outlined above is still very rudimentary as there are various
unanswered questions; for example, what's on the floor/walls now? Is the
floor satisfactory for the tile installation or will you need a new subfloor
and cement board. Are the walls good or will drywall have to be ripped out
and replaced? Are new drains needed? What kind of surprises might there be
(ask the contractors)?

If you get widely divergent prices, ask why. Are they including something
you didn't spec? Do you need it?

I'd ask for two prices...one for work AND fixtures/cabinetry/tile, the other
work only; i.e., you would supply the fixtures/cabinetry/maybe tile, they
would install. Remodelers don't sell stuff cheap

Some advise...

If the period of construction is important to you - even if its not - assure
that a completion time is specified in the contract. It is normal to have a
penalty if they run over.

Don't let them work on your money. A reasonable amount up front is not
awful but the contract should specify what is to be paid and when. The last
payment should be sizeable and it should NOT be paid until *after* the work
is completed and any deficiencies rectified.

Once they start, don't keep changing stuff. If you *do* change something,
make sure it is memorialized in writing with the amount of additional cost
or (less likely) credit.

Be nice to the contractor, his subs and their workmen. I'm not saying to
bend over but be pleasant and fair...if someone hates your guts you aren't
likely to get their best efforts.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and
ceramic tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard.
There will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the
same place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

How do you expect anyone to answer that? How much do you want to
spend on cabinetry? How much are the fixtures? Are you planning on
using tile that costs $1 or $10 per square foot? Are you tiling just
the 64 sq.ft. floor (less tub and vanity) or that plus all four
walls - maybe 300 sq.ft. total?


I am sorry for being so vague. I am new at this. It is the first job
I have ever done since I bought this house in 1998!!! :-)

Before you can get estimates, you need to spec out what you want done.
Browse on the internet and/or local stores...

1. Select the make, model number and color of every fixture you want to
have.

2. Select make, type of construction, wood and finish for any cabinetry.
Ditto any lavatory tops.

3. Select the tile - manufacturer, style number, size...all details. If
you plan to use listellos (pricey) detail those too.

4. Decide upon what areas you want tiled with what tile. Measure each
area and determine the square footage.

At that point you could draw up a form to present to people you are
considering for the work. Something like...
_______________________

BATHROOM REMODEL

Scope of work:
a. Remove all old fixtures, install new.
b. Tile approximately xxx square feet of floor and xxx square feet of
wall.
(1) all tile to be detail it
(2) all grout to be color
(3) whatever else needs to be done

Fixtures
(detail each item you want including faucets)

Cabinetry
(detail each item you want including the tops if separate)
___________________

The more precise you can be, the better off you are as contractors can bid
and you know they are bidding apples to apples. What you want is for both
you and the contractor to know *exactly* what is going to be done.

What I outlined above is still very rudimentary as there are various
unanswered questions; for example, what's on the floor/walls now? Is the
floor satisfactory for the tile installation or will you need a new
subfloor and cement board. Are the walls good or will drywall have to be
ripped out and replaced? Are new drains needed? What kind of surprises
might there be (ask the contractors)?

If you get widely divergent prices, ask why. Are they including something
you didn't spec? Do you need it?

I'd ask for two prices...one for work AND fixtures/cabinetry/tile, the
other work only; i.e., you would supply the fixtures/cabinetry/maybe tile,
they would install. Remodelers don't sell stuff cheap

Some advise...

If the period of construction is important to you - even if its not -
assure that a completion time is specified in the contract. It is normal
to have a penalty if they run over.

Don't let them work on your money. A reasonable amount up front is not
awful but the contract should specify what is to be paid and when. The
last payment should be sizeable and it should NOT be paid until *after*
the work is completed and any deficiencies rectified.

Once they start, don't keep changing stuff. If you *do* change something,
make sure it is memorialized in writing with the amount of additional cost
or (less likely) credit.

Be nice to the contractor, his subs and their workmen. I'm not saying to
bend over but be pleasant and fair...if someone hates your guts you aren't
likely to get their best efforts.


* I agree with dadiOH. You need to determine what fixtures, valves, tile,
lighting, bath fan, mirror and cabinetry are going to be installed ahead of
time. The best thing is to have all of these items on the job the day the
contractors start. The job will move very quickly if you don't have to run
out and pick out fixtures or tile after work has begun. It will mean a lot
of running around to showrooms and trying to decide on features, styles, and
colors. The alternative is to pay the $17,000 contractor and let him do all
of that.

Get an insurance certificate from the contractors that you finally chose
before work begins.

"packat" wrote

My old and only bathroom is about 8x8 squares. I planned to replace
everything: bathtub, toilet, sink, cabinet, vanity, floor and ceramic
tiles, and new sideboards, prep but no paint. All standard. There
will be very little plumbing since everything will be in the same
place as original.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work?

The problem here is not really enough information but if replacing floor and
wall tiles, the 8,000$ job means cheapest possible materials because the
cost of the tub alone with an enclosure (not tile) is normally a 5,000$ or
so job.

What range is reasonable for this kind of work? Three contractors
gave me very different estimates: $8000, $17000, and $12000.
Anything I need to be concern of going with the lowest?

I'd avoid the lowest in this case. Ask to see the hardware and fixtures the
12,000$ fellow plans (actual sight, not glossy photos made to make it look
'better'). Also, ask waht amount they want upfront and what speed
guarentees they have. This is after all, your ONLY bathroom right?
Critical part here is you have at least a functional toilet *that you can
get to* (no 'can't walk on the new floor for 24 hours so go pee in a bucket
out in the backyard).

A sad fact is some unscrupulous folks will take advantage. Like, need 50%
up front to buy the materials' (and you never see them again). Usually they
bid *too low* to be real and the 8,000$ sounds too low to me. Way too low.
Yes, I could remodel a bathroom for that with all you ask, but by me doing
the work.

The work you spec out, is the sort where if you go to a big box store, price
out the cost of parts for what you want, then multipy by I think 8 to add up
to a rough estimate of the labor costs to install it. Take a simple
bathtub. Nothing fancy, just a normal one. 400$. Multiply by 8 and it's
3200$ which is farily close to install costs. Add 2,000$ and you get the
shower enclosure (not tile).

On Wed, 2 Sep 2009 17:22:50 -0400, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

Before you can get estimates, you need to spec out what you want done.
Browse on the internet and/or local stores...

1. Select the make, model number and color of every fixture you want to
have.

2. Select make, type of construction, wood and finish for any cabinetry.
Ditto any lavatory tops.

3. Select the tile - manufacturer, style number, size...all details. If
you plan to use listellos (pricey) detail those too.

4. Decide upon what areas you want tiled with what tile. Measure each
area and determine the square footage.

At that point you could draw up a form to present to people you are
considering for the work. Something like...
_______________________

BATHROOM REMODEL

Scope of work:
a. Remove all old fixtures, install new.
b. Tile approximately xxx square feet of floor and xxx square feet of
wall.
(1) all tile to be detail it
(2) all grout to be color
(3) whatever else needs to be done

Fixtures
(detail each item you want including faucets)

Cabinetry
(detail each item you want including the tops if separate)
___________________

The more precise you can be, the better off you are as contractors can bid
and you know they are bidding apples to apples. What you want is for both
you and the contractor to know *exactly* what is going to be done.

What I outlined above is still very rudimentary as there are various
unanswered questions; for example, what's on the floor/walls now? Is the
floor satisfactory for the tile installation or will you need a new
subfloor and cement board. Are the walls good or will drywall have to be
ripped out and replaced? Are new drains needed? What kind of surprises
might there be (ask the contractors)?

If you get widely divergent prices, ask why. Are they including something
you didn't spec? Do you need it?

I'd ask for two prices...one for work AND fixtures/cabinetry/tile, the
other work only; i.e., you would supply the fixtures/cabinetry/maybe tile,
they would install. Remodelers don't sell stuff cheap

Some advise...

If the period of construction is important to you - even if its not -
assure that a completion time is specified in the contract. It is normal
to have a penalty if they run over.

Don't let them work on your money. A reasonable amount up front is not
awful but the contract should specify what is to be paid and when. The
last payment should be sizeable and it should NOT be paid until *after*
the work is completed and any deficiencies rectified.

Once they start, don't keep changing stuff. If you *do* change something,
make sure it is memorialized in writing with the amount of additional cost
or (less likely) credit.

Be nice to the contractor, his subs and their workmen. I'm not saying to
bend over but be pleasant and fair...if someone hates your guts you aren't
likely to get their best efforts.


* I agree with dadiOH. You need to determine what fixtures, valves, tile,
lighting, bath fan, mirror and cabinetry are going to be installed ahead of
time. The best thing is to have all of these items on the job the day the
contractors start. The job will move very quickly if you don't have to run
out and pick out fixtures or tile after work has begun. It will mean a lot
of running around to showrooms and trying to decide on features, styles, and
colors. The alternative is to pay the $17,000 contractor and let him do all
of that.

Get an insurance certificate from the contractors that you finally chose
before work begins.

Include in the statement of work a mention about removal of all the
debris.

In my case two of us gutted a bathroom in about two hours or less and
had it sitting on the curb for the trash crew.

Trash man: "Are you putting in a new bathroom?"

Me: "Nope, we just took one out!"

One of those here's your sign moments.