Ask the Home Remodeling Specialists…

How Much Will it Cost To Remodel My Bathroom

Bathroom remodeling prices are unique to your individual tastes.

Remodeling Pricing is Not Instant

Yesterday I told you about the article on BloombergBusiness that said Facebook Inc. is teaming up with Pro.com, which will help a Facebook Messenger user find a qualified contractor [and get] an instant quote “within minutes on home projects…”

This concept reminds me of the calls I get where people ask me how much will it cost to add a bathroom, remodel a bathroom, paint a room, build an addition, etc.

There is no such thing as an instant price!

Home Remodeling Price Estimates Online

I have often wondered where people determine what a job should cost. So like many people do, I went to some of the sites that give pricing. On one of the “advisor” sites, it gives a range of pricing in a graphic form that says bathroom remodeling ranges from about $3,000 to a high of $20,000. It took me several times of looking at the site until I found where it said it was for installation only… but the heading said “How Much Does it Cost to Remodel A Bathroom.” What about the materials, permit, trash disposal, etc.?

If you are like me, I did not catch that it didn’t include materials, until I looked at it more than several times. Relying on these sites to guestimate what your project might cost is a total waste of time.

My Least Favorite Question

How much do you charge per square foot?  The answer is simply, I don’t charge by the square foot because it is totally inaccurate. Obviously a 500 square foot family room with a shingled roof and carpeting will cost far less that a 500 square foot two bedroom, one bath addition with barrel tile roof and marble flooring/shower walls.

RUN, DON’T WALK If a Contractor Gives a Price By Instant Message or Over the Phone Without a Site Visit and Asking Questions About Finish Materials

A bathroom built by Leading Edge Homes.

There are many things that a professional home improvement contractor needs to know before giving you a price. For example, if you are remodeling your bathroom:

Are you installing basic fixtures?

Faucets may cost as little as $40.00 and as high as $600 (or more).  That’s without installation!

Are you installing tile or marble?

Tile may be as little as $5 per square foot and marble as much as $20 per square foot installed.

What type of counter top do you want – mica, marble, granite, quartz?

What type of lavatory?

Will it be an under mount bowl?

What type of cabinetry do you want?

Are you getting a prefabricated cabinet with lavatory? (Better make sure it meets the building codes.)

Do you want solid wood cabinets?

What type of knobs / pulls do you want?  (They range in price from $1 per knob to $25 per knob – without installation.)

What are the conditions in the bathroom?

Is there drywall damage from moisture or mold? (If there is mold, you will need someone to clean out the mold and get certification that the mold removal was done properly before any work can proceed.)

Do the walls need to be demolished down to the studs?

Is there proper backing for the new cabinets) you want to install?

What are you doing with the existing bath / shower?

Are your replacing the tub?

What type of shower enclosure do you want?

Are you changing the layout of the room?

Are you moving the toilet? (The floors will have to be demolished to get to the plumbing pipes.)

Are you converting from a tub to a shower or vice versa?

Does your shower pan need to be replaced?

Was your house built before 1978 and perhaps need lead paint removal?

Is your electric up-to-code?  

Will smoke detectors have to be added to your home to meet the current National Electric Code?

When you remodel the interior of your house, under most circumstances you will need to update your smoke detectors per the latest code.

Other Costs Included When A Professional Remodels Your Bathroom

• Permit fees — Yes, a permit must be pulled and inspections performed
• Trash removal
• Clean-Up
• Builder’s Risk Insurance Policy
• General Liability / Workman’s Compensation Insurance