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contractor says bathroom remodel not in contract. How much $$

14 years ago

My contractor claims that the guest bathroom is not budgeted for in my contract. I always assumed it was in there.

I have already picked out sink,toilet,faucets for shower and sink. This is all included in my plumbing budget...(I have not gone over budget even including the guest Bath.)

But apparently the demo guy told me today that in order to take out the hideous tile in the shower and all over the bathroom would be a major demo. I would need a new shower,showerpan,etc.

How much would that cost? I am redoing it retro so white inexpensive tile is fine. Maybe beadbord.

How much would this be if I already have a sink,toilet,faucets. (need cabinet and granite countertop)

I am in the Florida /georgia area.

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Comments (6)

Jim Peschke
14 years ago
I'll try to put this delicately...I would first re-read my contract carefully. You really need to know what is (and isn't in there). If you are not sure what some of the items mean then ask here or try a Google search. You are talking about a difference of tens of thousands of dollars for those kind of changes to a bathroom. If it wasn't included, then you are going to pay much more than you thought. If it was included, you are being cheated big time (or the contractor screwed up and underbid). Assuming you are otherwise happy with the contractor, ask him to bid what he would charge to do the work that you "thought" was included. Then make sure you know specifically what work that dollar value would accomplish. Post that information and we'll see what advice we can give. How much work has he done for you so far?

- Jim
alterit
Original Author
14 years ago
Looking over the CONTRACT. It never mentions specific bathroom. It says: Finished Floor -ceramic tile included in:kitchen,nook,laundry,home,office,& bath floors.

Cabinet allowance - it says cabinet allowance includes kitchen cabinets,vanities and tv cabinet

Countertops- Granite Kitchenette, wet bar, and vanity.

It never mentions specific bathrooms. I have 2 old and they are building a new one in the addition. SO I will have a totla of 3. They demolished my daughters old baths because it needs to be totally reconfigured. But have not touched my guest bath.

The PLANS say "new vanity installed" for the guest bath. my daughters says "remodeled bath".

Any thoughts??
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"We are adding an accessible shower to our main floor powder room" This is SUCH a smart idea. Reading further ... I know some contractors like to buy the fixtures so they get the mark up but I've never felt comfortable with that. At best, I would be willing to say, "What are my allowances for toilets, tile, sinks, faucets, etc? Will the price I pay through you match the price I can pay on my own?" If they can't match your pricing then I wouldn't buy it from them. I realize trades may work differently in all parts of the country/world, but I've never had a problem with this model. The last time we did a bathroom redo I bought everything at Expo (Home Depot company, they've since left the area) and had it on site & ready to go before the contractors started work. If the contractor you use has deals that let him buy things at a discount & he wants to pocket the difference then I'm okay with that. As long as his discount isn't off of an inflated price, KWIM? I think most electricians and plumbers prefer to work with guys they have worked with in the past, followed closely by home owners who know what they're doing (which sounds like you), and then way down the line is clueless home owners who want to be GC without knowing what end of a hammer to hold. You have good reasons to tackle all 3 at once (or in quick succession). I have a tough time making a LOT of decisions in a short time, and I think that part would drive me around the bend but that's just me. You'll probably get better deals if you say, "Hey - I need to buy 3 toilets today, what kind of deal can you give me on ..."
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Lovely! I like the classic white tile and porcelain and how you used furniture pieces in the bathroom. I love that the storage at the end of the tub has pull-outs that can be reached from the toilet. Your custom sink and backsplash and counter are unique and beautiful. Yours may be the first bathroom sink I have seen in which a small or medium dog could be washed! That is a good thing! I showed your pictures to my DH because I am thinking of classic tiled walls with a chair rail for when we redo our bath in a couple of years. He liked it! I was expecting him to say, "too old fashioned." He did not, he said it looked nice. From him, nice is a compliment. He even liked your rows of listello. I was just at the Tile Shop's site the other day looking at the Hampton tiles because someone was selling some on Craigslist. I am hoping to do as you did and get what I can cheaper there, and fill in the rest from the store. I can see that you worked very hard to secure all of your materials - and then cut the floor tiles to size and culled the Hampton tiles, too! You succeeded very well in getting the look you wanted while saving money along the way. Congratulations, and thank you for the pictures and great detail and supply list.
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plants4
14 years ago
What else is there besides the contract? Are there drawings or emails between you?
joed
14 years ago
A new vanity in my mind means a new cabinet and possibly the sink NOT a new toilet, new tub and surround.
alterit
Original Author
14 years ago
I do have drawings. I have a contract with the Contractor and contract with Designer of house. Drawings show bathroom the same except for vanity changed out.

We were always told we were getting all new plumbing..

I asked contractor again about it he said he is not worried..I said I am. Not sure if I have extra $ to do it.

Still wondering how much more it will be.
allison1888
14 years ago
Obviously a detailed contract is important here. I would go through it line by line with the contractor and get details not only about which baths, but what type of vanity, countertop, faucet, etc. Brands, types of materials, the whole nine yards.

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