Cost of bathroom renovation in a condo

[Anonymous]

I just got an approximate estimate for remodeling a small bathroom in our condo and was shocked by how expensive it is. We remodeled (with the same contractor) a few years ago and I knew the prices went up but didn't realize they nearly quadrupled.. If you remodeled a small bathroom recently, how much did it cost?

[Anonymous]

what was your price? If he buys the materials then it shouldn't be more than $5K for a small bathroom unless major gut work is involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what was your price? If he buys the materials then it shouldn't be more than $5K for a small bathroom unless major gut work is involved.

I loled so hard.

[Anonymous]

20k for labor alone on a 5x10 bathroom last summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20k for labor alone on a 5x10 bathroom last summer.

PP here - also 10k the year before for just a shower. Neither with big fancy contractors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20k for labor alone on a 5x10 bathroom last summer.

New Bathtub, vanity, toilet, tile work, floors.
Is that what he did ?

[Anonymous]

12,500 in labor on one just recently - doesn’t include tile, vanity and fixtures - it was a full gut.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks! The contractor quoted $30K for labor only for a full gut. The same contractor did similarly sized bathroom 5 years ago for about $10K. I had assumed it would be about $20K but $30 seems like too much

[Anonymous]

It only matters - at what amount is it worth their time.

It has nothing to do with what it "costs" (materials + labor cost which would seem reasonable)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- thanks! The contractor quoted $30K for labor only for a full gut. The same contractor did similarly sized bathroom 5 years ago for about $10K. I had assumed it would be about $20K but $30 seems like too much

30k is too high unless you are having specialty work done or making structural changes that involve moving plumbing and electrical. I would get quotes from two other contractors and negotiate based on that. Look for people on Thumbtack who only have a few reviews (but good ones) as they are often trying to establish a business and get more reviews and will be eager to come in with a reasonable estimate. Then use their quotes to talk your guy down in price. That's how the market works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It only matters - at what amount is it worth their time.

It has nothing to do with what it "costs" (materials + labor cost which would seem reasonable)

Which is why you have to shop around for bathroom renovations and other smaller renos because more established and successful contractors will have less interest in these. Their margins are larger on kitchens and larger-scale renovations that will guarantee them work for a longer period of time and offer more profit. Look for smaller or less established contractors (but still get references and look at similar work they've done) for whom a bathroom renovation is still a sizable project. They will take a bit longer because they are less experienced but they will work with you more on price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It only matters - at what amount is it worth their time.

It has nothing to do with what it "costs" (materials + labor cost which would seem reasonable)

Which is why you have to shop around for bathroom renovations and other smaller renos because more established and successful contractors will have less interest in these. Their margins are larger on kitchens and larger-scale renovations that will guarantee them work for a longer period of time and offer more profit. Look for smaller or less established contractors (but still get references and look at similar work they've done) for whom a bathroom renovation is still a sizable project. They will take a bit longer because they are less experienced but they will work with you more on price.

Do you have a recommendation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12,500 in labor on one just recently - doesn’t include tile, vanity and fixtures - it was a full gut.

Can you recommend your contractor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- thanks! The contractor quoted $30K for labor only for a full gut. The same contractor did similarly sized bathroom 5 years ago for about $10K. I had assumed it would be about $20K but $30 seems like too much

It sounds like he just doesn’t want the small job unless you want to hire him badly enough to pay a lot and make it worth his while. Maybe he should have just said “sorry no,” but maybe you would pay him because it’s worth it to you to hire him. So imo it’s okay for him to bid high, but he should communicate about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- thanks! The contractor quoted $30K for labor only for a full gut. The same contractor did similarly sized bathroom 5 years ago for about $10K. I had assumed it would be about $20K but $30 seems like too much

It sounds like he just doesn’t want the small job unless you want to hire him badly enough to pay a lot and make it worth his while. Maybe he should have just said “sorry no,” but maybe you would pay him because it’s worth it to you to hire him. So imo it’s okay for him to bid high, but he should communicate about it.

I would also point out that it’s probably not about him just not wanting a small job. He knows how many subs he has, etc, and how much he needs everyone to “bill” each day or week to make it worth. So maybe one bathroom is just too hard to juggle his tile guy, the plumber, etc but on larger jobs he can more easily keep everyone fully utilized so can bid lower hourly rates.