We have an old tub and shower that needs some updating. We decided that we did not want to reglaze the tub, nor did we want to retile on the walls in the shower surround. That left us with option of getting a tub and shower liner…which we could install ourselves or pay to have it done. We had Empire come out to give us an estimate…the sales rep started at the MSRP which was around $4200, then he gave us Empire’s price - $3600, then he gave us his price - $3200. This would include the price of materials, labor, and the price for installing a new valve and Moen anti-scald faucet. After pricing out materials, labor etc…if we were to do the job ourselves (hiring a plumber to do the water work) the price came to around $2200. I called the rep back and said we would go with Empire if they could get us to $2500…the countered with $2666.67.
It just seems like a lot of money for a bathtub…any thoughts on this??? I should mention that this is for our own home, which we bought as a “fixer upper”. I don’t want to get taken and I hope to make a return on any dollar I put into this house…
In my estimation, it’s high…I think you could install a new tub and have new tile done for nearly the same price…
His willingness to barter from $3600 to $2667 is an indication that he’s over-priced. Pay only what you think it’s worth…tell him $2500 is your price…I bet he changes his again. BTW - I think $2500 is high, too (but this is Louisiana…!).
What do you think a fair price would be? I hate negotiating blind…I feel like I can’t make a reasonable comparasion becuase they will not give us a line item estimate…
I already told him $2500 was the price…do you think I should now go lower?
you should know how these guys work. The company set a base price and the sales rep get a fix (minimal) commission on that base price. If he sell above that price then usually there is some arrangement where they split it 50/50 between the company and the agent. Thus the sales rep can start high and bargin on the spot as he is bargining with his profit/commission. My guess is you are now down pretty close to the fix price (maybe).
Anyways, for even money I would lean toward just replace with everything unless you know of someone who has had there product for long time. My concerns with retrofit solutions is it will look nice when its done,but what about in 5 years. On the flip side, the tear-out process can be a real pain; especially if its a really small bathroom and you have to take out other stuff like the vanity and toilet, etc to work (i.e. potential for damage to other components inthe room).
$2200 for a redo seems in the right range. I had someone tile a shower last year and it was $1000 (in So Cal, but it was neighbor doing the work)
Mike
P.S. I can tell the sale rep did a good sales job. I think all shower facets have an anti-scald feature (I know I have seen it on numerous models); its just adjustable behind the main cover plate
I’ve had whole bathrooms redone for $3000. That included the tub and tile on the floor and halfway up the walls. That included a new toilet and vanity. A friend of mine just put in a shower, toilet and vanity. He’s doing it himself and he’s got about $1000 worth of material from Home Depot.
Check with some local contractors and make sure you get a good referral and check them out. I know one guy that’s been burned a couple of times that he goes on and on about crooked contractors. (Like how they’re an oxymoron, if they’re contractors, they’re crooked, if they’re crooks, they’re contractors.) The name brand guys are usually the most expensive, they have to pay for their advertising somehow.
So I took your advice and got a few additional quotes. Once from a competitor and one from local general contractor. The competitor’s price was comparable to the original Empire quote (appx $3200). The general contractor actually told me that the $2666.67 was a good price for everything they were going to do for us.
Also…this is our only bathroom so we need it done in one day. My husband is concerned (and rightfully so) if we have mutiple people involved in the process our bathroom might not be functional for a day or two.
I am inclined to do this - just becuase it is easy even if I do end up overpaying. It would however, be nice to know how much I overpaid…grrr…I hate this stuff.