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Old 12-03-2012, 12:22 PM
 
6 posts, read 11,570 times
Reputation: 16

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Hi all, we really need to replace our old bathtub and tile. We've gotten estimates from ReBath and Home Depot for 8K... and I have total sticker shock. I was expecting something around 3K. We aren't even looking for a garden tub (standard size is the only thing that would fit) or anything at all fancy. Anyone ideas? Thanks!
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Old 12-04-2012, 07:17 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
150 posts, read 393,928 times
Reputation: 69
Can't help you here, because I am tearing out tub (which we never use) and enlarging our shower to make it a two person shower. And of course in the process, gut the rest of bathroom, add Saltito tile, talavera sinks, etc. I have budgeted 10K for this.
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Old 12-04-2012, 10:18 AM
 
13 posts, read 39,337 times
Reputation: 22
Remodels can get out of hand due to hidden surprises so labor is always bid high. Take a look at your bids and see how much is for materials. You have control over that. Then see of you can find an honest, well organized, person to do the labor by the hour. Good luck on that but they do exist so don't give up too soon. Don't forget the well organized part. I once worked, briefly, for a guy who made a point of a few "parts runs" per day. Odd how he always came back to the job with a coffee along with one or two boards. Customer was billed for full day. Anyway, look at the labor and don't begrudge a couple of guys trying to make a living, pay for contractor's lisc, insurance, trucks, etc. Lastly, tear out the existing tub, tile and backer-board yourself so that you will have exposed the whole job to a contractor and they won't have to add in a 'surprise factor". You also won't be charged for their down time driving to dump and dump fee markup. Enjoy your new tub!
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Old 12-04-2012, 10:27 AM
 
6 posts, read 11,570 times
Reputation: 16
Thanks all! Very helpful!
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Old 12-04-2012, 11:31 AM
 
Location: Avery Ranch, Austin, TX
8,977 posts, read 17,595,050 times
Reputation: 4001
If there's a way to save the tub and refinish, that will make quite a difference. However, if there are plumbing issues 'behind' the tub, might as well join that home theater thread and cry in your beer.

I'm glad I'm not going through either.

Good luck!
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Old 12-04-2012, 11:56 AM
 
55 posts, read 136,361 times
Reputation: 34
in the past, i always felt paying by hour turns out to be more costly. instead, if you tell the full job and get a price, you get much better piece of mind.. i have seen this with my home remodelling as well as moving quotes.
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Old 12-04-2012, 03:34 PM
 
4,710 posts, read 7,119,954 times
Reputation: 5613
Quote:
Originally Posted by tazbigdog View Post
Can't help you here, because I am tearing out tub (which we never use) and enlarging our shower to make it a two person shower. And of course in the process, gut the rest of bathroom, add Saltito tile, talavera sinks, etc. I have budgeted 10K for this.
Is having no bath tub in the master bath a problem for resale? When we lived in CA we took out the combo tub in the master and changed it into a large shower. We loved this, and felt it was OK, since there was still a tub in the house, upstairs with the other bathrooms. However, we have noticed that Texas seems to have this "thing" with "garden tubs." Does it hurt resale value to have only a shower (a nice big one) in the master?
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Old 12-05-2012, 08:27 AM
 
4,710 posts, read 7,119,954 times
Reputation: 5613
I haven't used any tile people since we have been in this area. But before we moved here, we did a complete bathroom remodel, and I asked for a list of recommended tilers at the tile store. They had a long list, but marked 3 that they had worked with. Then I noticed that they were retiling their own bathroom (at the tile store) and I figured that they must have someone good doing that, since it would be an example to people coming to buy tile. So that is the person we used, and it turned out that he was wonderful to work with and did beautiful work. When we moved, we regretted that we would have to leave our gorgeous bathroom!
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Old 12-05-2012, 12:44 PM
 
1,157 posts, read 2,656,907 times
Reputation: 483
We are trying to do the same thing and are budget conscious as well, so I'll be watching this thread. Great advice on doing the demo yourself.

I did just want to say that I love your name!
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