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Home Renovations

Ceetar Jul 12 2021 12:58 PM

I guess our house is of a certain age, in addition to the roof, the front steps, and the water heater (not to mention the stupid fridge) it's time to gut and replace this damn bathroom. First people, Magnolia, a broader Jersey place that seems like a real solid place ,got the right people for each job, plumbing, electric, whatever, do the permits, have financing... 23k second estimate is a local contractor place, writes it up for a cash job, 8.5k. Yikes! Only significant difference is the first place is using cement boarding instead of drywall in the tub, but I'm sure I can request that for less than 14k. (this is all without fixtures) Anyone else get a bathroom renovated recently? was it a pain/expensive? I'd like to add a second bathroom in the basement too, which seems unaffordable at another 25k, but at 8-9? And then we'd actually have somewhere to shower while it's getting done?

Chad ochoseis Jul 12 2021 04:34 PM Re: Home Renovations

I know a guy. Or a gal, anyway. She specializes in kitchen design but can probably design and manage the contractors for a bathroom rehab at a good price. She renovated my condo about eight years ago and did a great job, and she's a good friend. She's based in Morris Plains and does a lot of work up by you. Message me if you want me to get you in touch with her.

metsmarathon Jul 13 2021 06:17 AM Re: Home Renovations

cement board is the right, best way to do it, if that helps. don't go with the guy who doesn't do it that way. oe: there are other, newer products that are suitable as well, and maybe even better. key attribute is impermeability to water. drywall is not impermeable, and will soak up water. the drywall that's rated for wet environments just resists mold a little better. fine for a laundry room as long as water doesn't sit, or the rest of the walls in teh bathroom. but around the tower and the tub, you want impermeability to prevent long term damage.

MFS62 Jul 13 2021 09:29 AM Re: Home Renovations

Last time I redid my bathroom was well over 10 years ago, and it cost about $6,000. It included new floor, tile around the tub, new fixtures, sink/vanity and electrical. The only other expense was I had to add the medicine cabinet over the toilet later. Given the rise in materials and labor since then, I think your low bid might be a bit too low. Check their references. If you pick them I'd get quality and satisfaction guarantees in writing. Oh, and the bathroom was unusable for about 2 1/2 of the five days while the work was going on. Later

Fman99 Jul 13 2021 11:13 AM Re: Home Renovations

We did one of those "done in a day" remodelings of the shower. It came out beautifully. The one day's work, labor and materials, cost me just under $8k. I've been paying it off ahead of time using stimulus checks for the last 15 months.

Ceetar Jul 13 2021 11:29 AM Re: Home Renovations

Chad ochoseis wrote: I know a guy. Or a gal, anyway. She specializes in kitchen design but can probably design and manage the contractors for a bathroom rehab at a good price. She renovated my condo about eight years ago and did a great job, and she's a good friend. She's based in Morris Plains and does a lot of work up by you. Message me if you want me to get you in touch with her. Thanks. I think I'm good with what I've got, just feeling out what other people have done. The discrepancy in price is startling. I misread the second guy's quote though, it does seem to say 'cement board behind tub' so I assume that makes all the way up the 7' of tile, but I'll make sure. The done in a day (or hell, a week) sounds good. These guys said 4-6 for the more expensive and 2-3 for the cheaper guy. Granted things are pretty shot and I'm pretty set on replacing all the fixtures, and there's some wall boarding stuff that's stupid and needs to come down.

kcmets Jul 13 2021 02:47 PM Re: Home Renovations

We have two small outdated bathrooms each with a tub. I've always been intrigued by those Bath Fitter commercials but figure it's probably akin to super-no-stick pots and pans that aren't worth the bother. Anyone know anyone who has used them and have feedback?

Fman99 Jul 14 2021 07:24 AM Re: Home Renovations

=kcmets post_id=71292 time=1626209220 user_id=53] We have two small outdated bathrooms each with a tub. I've always been intrigued by those Bath Fitter commercials but figure it's probably akin to super-no-stick pots and pans that aren't worth the bother. Anyone know anyone who has used them and have feedback?

That's what we used, Bath Fitter, installed by a local contractor. It was expensive but well worth what we paid. The old shower was gross tile and a worn out fiberglass floor that never looked clean. The whole thing is shiny and bright now.

kcmets Jul 14 2021 09:49 AM Re: Home Renovations

Interesting. I think both of the bathrooms are good Bath Fitter 'fits.' If anyone would like to send us twenty-grand, please PM me and I'll forward my Venmo coordinates!

Ceetar Jul 14 2021 10:05 AM Re: Home Renovations

okay, but per venmo rules i'm gonna have to put like 'crystal meth' as the reason. These smaller places are so frustrating with how they do throw up a form website but just ignore it and never call you back when you request an estimate. I hate calling people, but even if you do half the time I just get some guy who's already on a job answering a cellphone with just 'hello' and I have to like, convince him why I'm calling and all he can do is say uh okay i'll call you back because he's not actually in position to make an appointment. Blows my mind how many people just have inboxes full of people asking to give them money and they ignore it.

kcmets Jul 14 2021 04:36 PM Re: Home Renovations

=Ceetar post_id=71347 time=1626278749 user_id=102]okay, but per venmo rules i'm gonna have to put like 'crystal meth' as the reason.

Fine with that! What could go wrong?

Ceetar Jul 14 2021 04:39 PM Re: Home Renovations

I promise not to Matt Gaetz you.