Getting an estimate on doing my Master Bathroom over.

casuallady · ‎03-09-2010

A few months ago I posted that we were getting an estimate from Lowes. It came in higher than we could justify on the Labor side. I love Lowe's however as retirees we couldn't pay the amount the high end contractor was charging. A friend that I greatly value her opinion gave me a referral of an individual. I called him today and he is going to come and give us an estimate. He said he may not be able to do it until Sept. Hubby told him we have family coming in late June, he may put us in. I am hoping this all works out.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Getting the name from someone you trust makes me think your project will go off without a hitch.

scatcat · ‎03-15-2010

I'd start the project sooner rather than later if you need to be done by late June. We re-did every square inch of our old farm house (over the course of 15 yrs) and more times than not a project took longer than quoted. Good luck. We are gutting our MB in the fall in our new house.

Catyc · ‎03-12-2010

Just got an estimate for MB. 8200.00 for demo and install. Waiting on another bid.

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

Lowes is always the higher way to go. They sub contract everything out. So 15 to 20% is added to labor. I hope your contractor can do what you need. I am looking for a contractor to redo master bedroom and bath myself. I am 66 and just getting too old for all the work and mess. But I better get it done,or I'll be too old to remember where the Master Bedroom is, LOL!

Where do you live? I am in California. My original contractor flaked on me last October, and I am gun shy now.

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan

Abrowneyegirl · ‎03-15-2010

I am assuming this is just a face lift and not a gut and remodel. If not do NOT even attempt to start it until after your house guests leave.

We were going to have a gut and remodel to a small bathroom and we were told NO LESS than 8 weeks and plan for 10 weeks. And that was having ALL materials on site before the project started.

Of the 12 highly recommended by F&F, top rated by Angies List only one came back with a written estimate. For the same price we could buy a mid sized Toyota SUV!

This why we scaled back to a face lift in hopes more contractors would at least bid on the project!

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

Company coming in June. i assume the materials have not been ordered? , Unless this is a bare bones redo it will not be finished in time. however long the contractor tells you,it will take double it

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

I have only ever had one BR remodeled - it was the only BR in our house and was a full gut - they started by installing a temporary BR in the basement - did not even have walls - just the toilet and sink from the BR they were ripping out and a stand alone shower stall.The only wall to offer any privacy for using the toilet was a folding screen we had.Anyway, they started in may and we expected it to take about a month - it was still not finished in November when my DH fired the contractor, and essentially finished the job himself - with some help from a contractor who was the friend of a friend, esp. getting the subs in and the inspections signed off on.It was very cold out - almost Christmas when it was finished - and we were still having to use the "temporary" BR in the unheated cellar.

sunnysw · ‎03-19-2010

Have you ever watched any of the programs on Dateline or 20/20 showing homeowners left high & dry by UN-LICENSED contractors? A LICENSED contractor in the state where you reside will be able to provide: The states contractor's license number 2. General Liability insurance & 3. Work Comp insurance. If you reside in California, you can check a contractor's license number with the state at: cslb.ca.gov. It will also show if there have been any claims against the contractor & if the license is in force. Lowe's, Home Depot & other like companies only hire licensed & insured (both GL & Comp) contractor's. If you hire a person who is not licensed & insured you do not know what you are getting, i.e., if electrical work needs to be done, is the contractor licensed for that? Using an un-licensed contractor is at your own risk. Good Luck!

TootyJane · ‎03-14-2010

Depending on the size of your bathroom, whether you will be doing a minor remodel vs. completely remodeling (taking everything down to the studs), the cost/type of materials ($ to $$$$) and the area where you live, the price of remodeling one bathroom might run you any where from $5,000 to $20,000. You can most likely negotiate a lower price with your contractor if you schedule your remodel during the slow season. HTH