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CakeLady · Sep 8, 2008, 06:09 PM

Good to know! I love this place!

Cake Lady

ballengerb1 · Sep 8, 2008, 06:10 PM

Anytime, any question, someone will be here. Have agood one young lady.

New_User_43 · Mar 15, 2009, 11:21 PM

I found this thread through an on-line search engine and found it most helpful. Thanks for all the input. I couldn't find anywhere else on the internet that gave an idea of what price would be charged to replace a tub/shower.

I can add that I am currently going through the process of replacing my bathtub/shower. It was an old fiberglass one-piece from the early 80's in a horrid brown color, so keeping it wasn't an option for our situation.

I researched the price of materials, as CakeLady did and was blown away by the price of my first few estimates, $4000, then $5500. Both came with lengthy presentations given in a "designer's vocabulary." On my 3rd estimate, I found a general contractor, fully licensed and insured and been in business for over 10 yrs, able to tackle plumbing, tub removal and installation, and tile, who took on the job for $1750. The job is now almost complete and it really looks great.

The job's about over for us, hopefully this post may give somebody else some guidance in the future with a ballpark estimate, depending on your exact setup. It's true that sometimes not always the lowest quote is the best, but also watch out for the guys who are priced ridiculously high and looking to charge several thousand more than what materials should cost for 2-3 days labor.

sophist1 · May 14, 2010, 07:44 PM

You have to figure a lot of the material price will be marked up because the contractor has to pick the stuff up. And labor if he has another guy to pay. I know of using a rubber liner before cement board or hardibacker but its not necessary and replacing all the tile around is where a lot of the labor comes in also, seeing how a 1 day tub replacement turns into a 3 day job, waiting for mastic to set up then come back and grout, then wait for that to set up then come back and seal the grout. Like you said just have the guy do the tub and you do all the rest save money

sophist1 · May 14, 2010, 07:44 PM

You have to figure a lot of the material price will be marked up because the contractor has to pick the stuff up. And labor if he has another guy to pay. I know of using a rubber liner before cement board or hardibacker but its not necessary and replacing all the tile around is where a lot of the labor comes in also, seeing how a 1 day tub replacement turns into a 3 day job, waiting for mastic to set up then come back and grout, then wait for that to set up then come back and seal the grout. Like you said just have the guy do the tub and you do all the rest save money

skilledconstruc · Oct 25, 2010, 02:42 PM

I have installed 100's of tubs made some tubs into big shower .Yes the average person does not know anything. Your crazy yes the supplies would be about $800 maybe more depending on what you really want but I am sorry to tell you you are wrong most contractors want as much as the supply cost .Think about it do you really want to break your back getting that old tub out and the new one in there .It is hard work so that $1500 is about rite hate to tell you that .Call a plumbing company see what they say.My dad owns a company stuff as this.They will remove and install the tub and install new water controls for $1200 but you have to have at least 2 to 3 rows of the tile out already for them yes this is for real.$1200 just to install tub and replace controls and your are the one who has to replace the tile.I have done this work my whole life and if you get someone to install the tub and the tile surround then hope it last .And of coarse yes it is a little cheaper to install a crappy 2 or 3 piece surround but we all know tile looks so much nicer

CakeLady · Oct 25, 2010, 08:09 PM

SKILLEDCONSTRUC--I think everyone has had something valuable to contribute to the thread. I was grateful to find the help and support here that I did back when we were worried over every dime extra or otherwise it was potentially going to cost. I was and still am thrilled with the level of work that was done. They were brothers, worked together like clockwork, carried out the old stuff in big 5 gal buckets, cleaned up behind themselves, picked up all the products and brought them to the house--carried off the old in their own trucks, etc.

As well, I do realize how most bigger name plumbers/contractors mark up their materials and time, as I've worked for the "big name" service plumbing companies as well as watched my dad plumb commercial contracts throughout seven states. So yes--I'm aware of the markups and the reasons behind them.

I wasn't looking for the "top of the line" higher priced contractors at the time, however... both because of the age & scale of the house, (not fancy--just a small "starter home" type line house as they built in many neighborhoods in the 60's) ---so a fancy schmancy job would have been out of place in this house---and although would have brought the value up---wouldn't have fit in with our situation at the time. The money literally was taken from one fund to pay another, ha.

Since using it 3-5 times a day for the last couple of years, only thing I've had to do with it is re-grout around the tub line a couple of times. Seems the silicone stuff doesn't like to stick to the old porcelain forever, but that's to be expected, figuring it's probably been re-done about 20 times in 40 years, hahah!

I'm really lucky to have found AMHD and the kind expertise here that's freely given. I'm just always kind of rueful that BALLENGER wasn't in my neighborhood to come do the work! LOL!! :-)

---Cake Lady---

twowired · Jan 5, 2011, 09:15 PM

I know this is probably to late for this post but me to come out and remove tile from surround that's roughly $150.00, remove tub (cast) $200.00, install tub $300.00, tile surround $375.00, dump bill $125.00 well that's 1,150.00 and we are not talking anything else that might come up. I think that price you got was pretty good. I did not see any other post about any other prices she got!

massplumber2008 · Jan 6, 2011, 05:29 AM

Hi Twowired... welcome to AMHD.

They didn't get any info. On prices above because we try NOT to give prices out to askers as prices can vary from area to area and state to state... and the difference can be quite dramatic. A "STICKY" is posted at the top of the plumbing page that discusses the basics... check it out.

Have a good day!

Mark

CakeLady · Jan 6, 2011, 06:36 AM

Hi TwoWired; Again, welcome to AMHD!

I really do appreciate your answers--wondering if you're anywhere near TN? LOL At the very LEAST--you did give an answer, and a straightforward one at that. Much appreciated!

twowired · Jan 6, 2011, 06:17 PM

Hi CakeLady,
I'm in Hickory, N.C. Its like massplumber2008 said, we can't give out prices with out first seeing the job.

CakeLady · Jan 6, 2011, 07:57 PM

Haha, Two-wired--I know it's impossible to do any kind of pricing w/out seeing the job first hand. Same way w/plumbing--you can't even give a "ballpark" because you don't know what you're up against until you get there.

I was just thanking you for stating your (general) pricing right off, and again--do want to thank all for their helpful input on this subject.

Hard to believe the job's been done now for a couple years... however... I'm still SO GRATEFUL for a nice, leak-free shower wall every time any of us step in! :-)

--CakeLady

massplumber2008 · Jan 7, 2011, 02:03 PM

Hi guys...

Thanks for understanding... I appreciate it!

Mark

GetWhatUPayFor · Mar 26, 2011, 12:08 AM

I can't stand homeowners that work over these contractors.
They expect free estimates, that takes gas and time to attend to, and play stupid the entire time they're there.
If you wanted the guy to do it for a price that you have set in your mind, why didn't you barter an agreement out there with him?
Tell him you want to demo, tell him you know what it takes.
But I guarantee you won't do it half as well as the guy that does it for a living!!
If you're a dentist, and I need a tooth repaired, I am sure you can do it in your sleep. I don't beat up your prices, or say that I can do it myself, or visit three other dentists trying to save a couple of bucks. I TRUST you to do what you are worth.

That is why paying the cheapest guy doesn't make sense.
That is why doing it yourself, doesn't make sense.
That is why preventive maintenance, saving for repairs, and researching contractors... MAKES SENSE!!

It's people like you that keep food of other tables. The economical flow stops at your doorway.

GetWhatUPayFor · Mar 26, 2011, 12:14 AM

I agree. I would charge at least $2000 for the entire job. This is not including the materials!
You add:
Grout, Mortar/Mastick, Concrete Board, Board Screws, Caulking, Spacers, Sponge, Plumbing supplies, Drains, Water Lines, Shims, Garbage Bags, Dump Fee, Gasoline, Personal Time/Labor (Estimate, Proposing Estimate, Shopping for Supplies, and Labor on Job), Dump Fee/Time involved Cleaning/Organizing Vehicle after Job, Taxes, and MUCH MUCH MORE!

To add to this... Professional Experience. Insurance. Quality. Warranty. Most importantly... Stressless opportunity to fix a much needed repair that you decided to neglect resulting in this outcome.

PAY UP!

pomzus4me · Jun 26, 2012, 02:10 PM

I hear where you are coming from. I have a beautiful new tub and surround that I want to have done by someone other than my boyfriend and myself because of it's awkwardness in getting the tub out of the house. We were quoted $2,000.00 just for the labor, no parts... guess we'll have to suffer with awkward!