$25K is the estimate my contractor has given me for a standard master bath remodel. I'm in LA area. I have a five-piece, 10'x14' bathroom. I've not started demo yet. My contractor said that the costs increase by adding luxury items, but that won't change the labor costs as much. For example, plumber's charge for installing a $2000 Kallista tub faucet will be about the same as installing a $300 Price Phister tub faucet. The total estimate for Kallista plumbing fixtures (for shower, tub, and 2 washbasins) came to over $9K. Some luxury items will bump up the labor costs - e.g., replacing my existing inoperable sky light with a remote-controlled, rain-sensor, UV-protected, operable sky light will add labor - and it looks like I will need to replace the sub panel for electrical. A $2K wall-mounted, Toto toilet would be more costly to install than a $700 conventional toilet. Some luxury items are controlled by code. For example, in the shower, I can have water coming out of only one fixture at a time (the carwash shower approach is not an option in an area where water conservation is an issue, unless it's completed after inspection.) No chandelier over the tub unless ceiling is raised to 11'. Steam shower requires ceiling tile; optional, otherwise. A big Jacuzzi tub on a platform with lots of tile work would not be standard. There's also the cost of maintenance to consider. For me, the budget challenge is in deciding which luxury items I really want, since it would be impractical to add them later (floor heating, towel warmer, linear drain, chromotherapy, ceiling tile, electric mirror with inset TV, tub spout in the ceiling). I would need to hire a housekeeper to keep this bathroom looking pristine.

it costs what it costs. the best estimate any of us can give is more than 100.00 and less than 25,000.00(most likely). you need to get quotes from several plumbers in your area. if everything is in place and usable, it really should not be much. but teh problem is the plumber is responsible for all of it, so he may rip out anything you have run if it looks subpar or if he is just uncomfortable coming behidn someone else.

Hi Mary, I live in Alaska and our last house was on a sloping lot, so we had to have the foundation done by a structural engineer, with a retaining wall and drainage built into it, etc. I've done four projects. The land here can range from almost clay like to permafrost and bog, which all have to be dealt with differently. Our current house is on a flat lot with our typical yuck soil, so we were able to just hand dig for a foundation of five feet and it was done with cinder blocks. I needed a 4 x 25 bumpout at the back of the garage for relocating the furnace and for a bit more storage. Obviously, I have really different consideration with cold here. This winter, the freeze has gone down to nine feet. Lots of water pipes breaking. I am not all that knowledgable with this stuff and rely heavily on the contractors/plumbers/electricians, etc. for their advice and recommendations. Everyone from the hardware store to the workers to the code people have all been willing to share their knowledge. I like staying GC so that I can keep a close eye on expenses. I give purchasing power to the people so they can go get what they need, when they need it, but I can go over those bills closely, return what isn't used, make sure I don't get billed for items which aren't part of my job. And that has happened. Subcontractors often prefer to work with certain people and I let the guys working give me the first recommendations, but as GC if anyone gives me problems or isn't doing good work I can tell them not to come back. More than once I've had to find a quick replacement in order not to hold up the project. My last contractor turned out to be a real problem. He had done a great deal of work for us, but he started drinking again and things were a mess. I was able to keep him off the job, where had he been GC it would have been more difficult. But, really, for the most part I enjoy the remodeling process. I've learned so much and can really appreciate the work and skill that goes into someone doing a good job. Find someone to start with. Maybe a framer and they can connect you with all of the other jobbers like foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical. Most of my guys called for their own inspections once they were ready or told me to call it in. I followed the inspectors around like glue, took notes and learned as much as I could from them. At some point you have to just trust your judgement and go with it. Nice thing about remodeling is that screw-ups can be fixed. It's not brain surgery or a heart attack where you don't get second chances. Things will go wrong. People will mess up. Costs will go up. Just try and build yourself a cushion with expenses and time, be good at confrontation and standing up for yourself while remaining diplomatic. Gloria

-Fix sewage pipe. $1.5k -master bath: move plumbing two feet over for one sink, paint, drywall repair behind mirrors for two vanities. Install new plumbing fixtures. (The floors are being done by a separate contractor who specializes in concrete and the cabinet co. is installing the cabs.). Paint. $4k -Spare bath: Install new plumbing fixtures and new toilet. Drywall repair behind old mirror, replace light fixture. Paint. $2.5k -Powder room: New toilet, repair dry wall behind mirrors, hang new light. Paint. $1.5k -Install 650 sq. feet of engineered wood floor over concrete (Actually, the new contractors have to remove what was originally put down and clean the glue off) and refloat floor. $3k -Remove shutters from a 9ft. x 5 ft. window and reframe. Same for a 4 ft. by 2 ft. window. $2.5k -Hang a new hall light and replace two ceiling fans. $750 bones -Paint trim in house (2000 sq. feet). $2.5k -Kithen: Remove cabs and counter. Install new appliances including a cooktop and hood and a built-in oven/micro. (new wiring needed).Replace two lights.Install ikea cabs. and island $12k -Frame in laundry room with pocket door and remove wall in kitchen (about 7 ft. long). Remove closet in kitchen to install ikea pantries. Paint kitchen. $5k -haul two loads of trash away. $350 bones -install new electric outlets and lights in whole house. $2.5k -install 5 new doors and 9 new door knobs. $3k -Hang 4 blinds. 300 bones Total bill should be under $50k you do have that much budgeted right?