Hello. I am seeking some advice from forum members. An overview; 20 yr old home, 2nd story bathroom and I am a 40 yr old woman with no experience with plumbers. I removed the old vanity and removed the jacuzzi tub and electrical. I removed the floor tile and removed all the wall tile in the tub/shower area including the walls down to the joists. So it is all open. I had a vanity that had 1 sink and have purchased a vanity with two sinks. I purchased a freestanding tub and fixtures. I called a plumber who came and gave me 2 separate quotes. One for a rough in and one for finished.

I had informed him that I needed;

the vanity to have water and drainage for the 2 sinks.
the drain moved from the end of the tub to the centre (as the new one is in the centre/side)
the tub/shower faucet switched from a single circle toggle type to one with a separate hot and separate cold.
the new faucet has a built in hand wand with switch toggle but I also wanted the wall shower head to be usable.

I was not expecting the quotes he provided. The first "rough in" as he called it was for $2200. The "finish" as he called it was for $1000. Totalling $3200 plus any unforseen materials and time. I was blown away. I was chatting with a neighbour at the mailbox. This neighbour had an entire reno done floor to ceiling by a company and the entire project with the purchases of a tub toilet and vanity ECT cost $7000. He stated that the quote was really high and suggested another.

At this point I again recalled the worker commenting on my vehicles in the driveway and asking me questions about my Challenger. He also asked about a husband, what do I do? He made comments about the tub being high end and wow that's a great faucet. These questions were taken as just conversation but perhaps was he thinking out loud and sizing me up?

I am confused and concerned. I don't wish to think bad of others but need to protect myself. Please tell me if he was in the correct ballpark on his quote and that I am totally out of line or if this is someone I am best to steer clear of.

thanks kindly.

 

Welcome to the forums.

There are just too many variables for us to give you a solid answer.
I do recommend you get two more estimates so that you can compare.

 

FWIW...just based on your description, I don't think the quoted price is out of line. But as Pete says, too many questions. Perhaps some pics might help.

 

Thank you for your messages. This shock could be my inexperience showing and I welcome being wrong. As I am unaware of the variables possible I don't know quite how to elaborate. I took a few pics but I am not sure how to load them on here.

 

Trying to load a pic. Sorry, newbie

 

How to insert pictures aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

Well that was a fail. Thank you for sending the instructions but I don't even know how to find advanced mode. Even this turned out to be to technical for me. I guess I cannot add pics. If you care to break it down a bit for me then let's look at an individual task. The wall that the vanity backs on to has plumbing for one drain and one sink. Can you give me an idea time wise or dollar wise to make that work for 2 sinks? What variables could come into play? The house is 20 years old and the current plumbing has no known issues. The vanity was dated and ugly.

 

Shadeladie, I truly appreciate your pic advice but perhaps it doesn't have the same options on a tablet. I cannot seem to find an advance mode or paperclip anywhere.

 

The "advanced" box is right under the reply box:

 

Okay, I'm just seeing your reply now. I'm not sure about Tablets. I know some people have problems with their Android phones.

 

Yes I have double checked and there is no advanced. Prob due to being a Samsung android. Is there a chance you would be willing to load my pics if I email them to you?

 

Yes, I can do that. I'll PM you with my email.

 

Not much but I hope they paint a better picture. The one shows the vanity wall as is awaiting lines and drains for 2 sinks.
the other pics are the shower faucet as is and the new faucet I would like put in its place. There is also a pic of the tub resting on subfloor to show both the floor and centre drain area. The ceiling below is completely open exposing the pipes.
My questions in #1 and #7 posts go with these photos. Thank you for any and all advice given.

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#2


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#6

 

Okay, added pics to above post!

 

Two more pics of estimates:

#1


#2

 

Again in my opinion that's a lot of work involved and will need somebody with the knowledge to do it. I think the price is reasonable. Get more estimates and I'm betting this quote will be very close or the best. The complete job is just under $3000. For any bath or kitchen remodel that is the minimum going price. I will say this, you did remove all the existing material and I think he should allow something for that. Maybe $500.00. Remember he needs to make a profit.

 

Is his hourly wage not profit? That is how my job works? He is charging me separate for parts therefore the call itself and the labour is profit.

 

No! At your work place do you buy the materials that you work with?
His time and knowledge is what you're paying for. Many plumbers or contractors will allow the customer to purchase material independently. Material in no way provides profit or income to the contractors. Yes, often a contractor will mark-up on materiel if they buy it. But remember they are spending the time to buy it, or they have special relationship with a vendor, or they believe in a product so much that they won't install or use another product. I still say, based on what you have provided, that the quoted price is reasonable. Not necessarily the cheapest. But do you want the cheapest?

 

I did make calls today and had 2 different companies arrive for a quote. They were both members of the BBB. The quotes were $600 plus parts and the other was $800 plus parts. The second company had a great price and great demeanour. I agreed on spot to go with this company. She said she had time to dive right in the sink if I wanted. Boom done took her 55 mins. Both sinks and both drains were fully functioning with separate lines and stops. I offered to settle up she said no worries we will look after next week and wrote it all down with pricing. $174. Trusted me and left. She is returning Mon afternoon for the shower. I am extremely pleased. Thank you all for your advice and input.

 

Good for you. I'm glad I was wrong and you found a better price and apparently a god plumber. Lesson learned...always get several quotes.

 

IMHO you have very good instincts. That was not professional. You noticed,you acted, and now you are in good shape.

Good luck with the work!