I'm undertaking the first of three bathroom remodels in San Francisco,
CA. All will require tile and stonework, and although this is the most
simple of the three, I'm looking for someone we could continue to work
with. However, the bids are coming in apples and oranges, and I'm at a
loss as to how to compare these.

There are two pieces to this job: to demo existing tile and linoleum
in a 66 sq foot 0.5 bath/laundry room and replace with 8x8 African
slate tile, and to cover a 48 sq foot hearth with the same tile. The
hearth is currently covered with brick, and we've been told it will
make a suitable base for the tile. We'd like to raise the floor of the
hearth approx. 2", which will require that the front lip is edged with
cut slate tiles, we'd prefer a mitred edge to a bullnose.

Our tile has been purchased, grout must be selected. Our preferred
contractor (great personal reference) gave us an initial estimate for
$1,000 for tile setting only. However, the bid came back at 3x that
amount once demo and everything else was figured in. The other bid
(also with a personal reference) is for tile setting only, we would
have to arrange for demo through another contractor (not yet
identified), and do the finishing work ourselves.

The first contractor proposes:
-Remove and reinstall washer & dryer: $75
-Deliver tile (and carry up two flights of stairs): $125
-Demo and install tile in bathroom/laundry room: $875
-Set tile on hearth, including edging work and reinstallation of wood
molding: $1,600

This seems high given installation cost estimates that range $3-7/sq
foot, but I'd appreciate your insight regarding the complexity of this
job.

-Amalia

"ate1" wrote in message
om...
I'm undertaking the first of three bathroom remodels in San Francisco,
CA. All will require tile and stonework, and although this is the most
simple of the three, I'm looking for someone we could continue to work
with. However, the bids are coming in apples and oranges, and I'm at a
loss as to how to compare these.

There are two pieces to this job: to demo existing tile and linoleum
in a 66 sq foot 0.5 bath/laundry room and replace with 8x8 African
slate tile, and to cover a 48 sq foot hearth with the same tile. The
hearth is currently covered with brick, and we've been told it will
make a suitable base for the tile. We'd like to raise the floor of the
hearth approx. 2", which will require that the front lip is edged with
cut slate tiles, we'd prefer a mitred edge to a bullnose.

Our tile has been purchased, grout must be selected. Our preferred
contractor (great personal reference) gave us an initial estimate for
$1,000 for tile setting only. However, the bid came back at 3x that
amount once demo and everything else was figured in. The other bid
(also with a personal reference) is for tile setting only, we would
have to arrange for demo through another contractor (not yet
identified), and do the finishing work ourselves.

The first contractor proposes:
-Remove and reinstall washer & dryer: $75
-Deliver tile (and carry up two flights of stairs): $125
-Demo and install tile in bathroom/laundry room: $875
-Set tile on hearth, including edging work and reinstallation of wood
molding: $1,600

This seems high given installation cost estimates that range $3-7/sq
foot, but I'd appreciate your insight regarding the complexity of this
job.

-Amalia

tile jobs can run $30-40 sqft, or even higher, when you add in the demo,
cleanup, and reinstallation of special things.

"ate1" wrote in message
om...
I'm undertaking the first of three bathroom remodels in San Francisco,
CA. All will require tile and stonework, and although this is the most
simple of the three, I'm looking for someone we could continue to work
with. However, the bids are coming in apples and oranges, and I'm at a
loss as to how to compare these.

There are two pieces to this job: to demo existing tile and linoleum
in a 66 sq foot 0.5 bath/laundry room and replace with 8x8 African
slate tile, and to cover a 48 sq foot hearth with the same tile. The
hearth is currently covered with brick, and we've been told it will
make a suitable base for the tile. We'd like to raise the floor of the
hearth approx. 2", which will require that the front lip is edged with
cut slate tiles, we'd prefer a mitred edge to a bullnose.

Our tile has been purchased, grout must be selected. Our preferred
contractor (great personal reference) gave us an initial estimate for
$1,000 for tile setting only. However, the bid came back at 3x that
amount once demo and everything else was figured in. The other bid
(also with a personal reference) is for tile setting only, we would
have to arrange for demo through another contractor (not yet
identified), and do the finishing work ourselves.

The first contractor proposes:
-Remove and reinstall washer & dryer: $75
-Deliver tile (and carry up two flights of stairs): $125
-Demo and install tile in bathroom/laundry room: $875
-Set tile on hearth, including edging work and reinstallation of wood
molding: $1,600

This seems high given installation cost estimates that range $3-7/sq
foot, but I'd appreciate your insight regarding the complexity of this
job.

-Amalia

SF and you think there is ANYTHING that is inexpensive in that town... Ya
right..

The price doesn't at all sound unreasonable. Factoring in necessary
installation materials (wonderboard, thinset, trowels, tilesaw, etc.
Demolition (I'm sure some drywall will need replaced/patched where existing
tile was removed) and the cost of disposal of the removed materials.
Replacement of any trims, and possibly a helper. -dave (who does tile jobs
on occasion)
"SQLit" wrote in message
news:Rgdgd.183120$a85.173220@fed1read04...

"ate1" wrote in message
om...
I'm undertaking the first of three bathroom remodels in San Francisco,
CA. All will require tile and stonework, and although this is the most
simple of the three, I'm looking for someone we could continue to work
with. However, the bids are coming in apples and oranges, and I'm at a
loss as to how to compare these.

There are two pieces to this job: to demo existing tile and linoleum
in a 66 sq foot 0.5 bath/laundry room and replace with 8x8 African
slate tile, and to cover a 48 sq foot hearth with the same tile. The
hearth is currently covered with brick, and we've been told it will
make a suitable base for the tile. We'd like to raise the floor of the
hearth approx. 2", which will require that the front lip is edged with
cut slate tiles, we'd prefer a mitred edge to a bullnose.

Our tile has been purchased, grout must be selected. Our preferred
contractor (great personal reference) gave us an initial estimate for
$1,000 for tile setting only. However, the bid came back at 3x that
amount once demo and everything else was figured in. The other bid
(also with a personal reference) is for tile setting only, we would
have to arrange for demo through another contractor (not yet
identified), and do the finishing work ourselves.

The first contractor proposes:
-Remove and reinstall washer & dryer: $75
-Deliver tile (and carry up two flights of stairs): $125
-Demo and install tile in bathroom/laundry room: $875
-Set tile on hearth, including edging work and reinstallation of wood
molding: $1,600

This seems high given installation cost estimates that range $3-7/sq
foot, but I'd appreciate your insight regarding the complexity of this
job.

-Amalia

SF and you think there is ANYTHING that is inexpensive in that town... Ya
right..