advice needed on bathroom remodel

[cantab]

We want to remodel a master bathroom in a 1970s single story house on a slab. We want to move plumbing, move some interior walls, and create one or two new windows. We don’t intend to change the footprint of the house, or even of the master suite.

We have an intended contractor who has done good work before and operates more or less on a cost-plus basis.

We have interviewed a designer who can provide sketches, but no technical drawings or specs. The contractor would be willing to work from the sketches, but there might be too many surprises during construction.

We have also interviewed an architect, who can provide very detailed drawings and supervise construction. But the estimated cost is $15K to $30K, which seems far too high for a remodel that is not structural.

All advice and suggestions are welcome!

[sdduuuude]

If you aren’t changing walls around, I think an architect is overkill. Architects can be helpful if you need a building permit.

We did a tiny (5′ x 7′) bathroom and it cost us about $6K. This included new tub, new tub/shower valve & fixtures, new sink, new faucet, new vanity, (we used the old toilet), fresh drywall, minor electrical work, painting, subway tile tub enclosure & backsplash, and travertine tile floors/counter.

We used middle-of-the road finishes.

I would highly recommend the guy who did ours. He is reliable and meticulous. Not the cheapest, but you don’t have to babysit him at all.

[sdduuuude]

If you aren’t changing walls around, I think an architect is overkill. Architects can be helpful if you need a building permit.

We did a tiny (5′ x 7′) bathroom and it cost us about $6K. This included new tub, new tub/shower valve & fixtures, new sink, new faucet, new vanity, (we used the old toilet), fresh drywall, minor electrical work, painting, subway tile tub enclosure & backsplash, and travertine tile floors/counter.

We used middle-of-the road finishes.

I would highly recommend the guy who did ours. He is reliable and meticulous. Not the cheapest, but you don’t have to babysit him at all.

[sdduuuude]

If you aren’t changing walls around, I think an architect is overkill. Architects can be helpful if you need a building permit.

We did a tiny (5′ x 7′) bathroom and it cost us about $6K. This included new tub, new tub/shower valve & fixtures, new sink, new faucet, new vanity, (we used the old toilet), fresh drywall, minor electrical work, painting, subway tile tub enclosure & backsplash, and travertine tile floors/counter.

We used middle-of-the road finishes.

I would highly recommend the guy who did ours. He is reliable and meticulous. Not the cheapest, but you don’t have to babysit him at all.

[sdduuuude]

If you aren’t changing walls around, I think an architect is overkill. Architects can be helpful if you need a building permit.

We did a tiny (5′ x 7′) bathroom and it cost us about $6K. This included new tub, new tub/shower valve & fixtures, new sink, new faucet, new vanity, (we used the old toilet), fresh drywall, minor electrical work, painting, subway tile tub enclosure & backsplash, and travertine tile floors/counter.

We used middle-of-the road finishes.

I would highly recommend the guy who did ours. He is reliable and meticulous. Not the cheapest, but you don’t have to babysit him at all.

[sdduuuude]

If you aren’t changing walls around, I think an architect is overkill. Architects can be helpful if you need a building permit.

We did a tiny (5′ x 7′) bathroom and it cost us about $6K. This included new tub, new tub/shower valve & fixtures, new sink, new faucet, new vanity, (we used the old toilet), fresh drywall, minor electrical work, painting, subway tile tub enclosure & backsplash, and travertine tile floors/counter.

We used middle-of-the road finishes.

I would highly recommend the guy who did ours. He is reliable and meticulous. Not the cheapest, but you don’t have to babysit him at all.

[LAAFTERHOURS]

I may take you up on that offer sdduuuuude. Our master has white square builder tile on the countertops, shower walls and spa tub. The linoleum floor is ugly. I also want to move the tub about a foot towards the window (the space is there).

original poster – for the amount of work you want done, 15K doesnt sound crazy high.

[LAAFTERHOURS]

I may take you up on that offer sdduuuuude. Our master has white square builder tile on the countertops, shower walls and spa tub. The linoleum floor is ugly. I also want to move the tub about a foot towards the window (the space is there).

original poster – for the amount of work you want done, 15K doesnt sound crazy high.

[LAAFTERHOURS]

I may take you up on that offer sdduuuuude. Our master has white square builder tile on the countertops, shower walls and spa tub. The linoleum floor is ugly. I also want to move the tub about a foot towards the window (the space is there).

original poster – for the amount of work you want done, 15K doesnt sound crazy high.

[LAAFTERHOURS]

I may take you up on that offer sdduuuuude. Our master has white square builder tile on the countertops, shower walls and spa tub. The linoleum floor is ugly. I also want to move the tub about a foot towards the window (the space is there).

original poster – for the amount of work you want done, 15K doesnt sound crazy high.

[LAAFTERHOURS]

I may take you up on that offer sdduuuuude. Our master has white square builder tile on the countertops, shower walls and spa tub. The linoleum floor is ugly. I also want to move the tub about a foot towards the window (the space is there).

original poster – for the amount of work you want done, 15K doesnt sound crazy high.

[cantab]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, 15K to 30K was just for the architect’s work, not including any actual construction or fixtures or expenses.

[cantab]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, 15K to 30K was just for the architect’s work, not including any actual construction or fixtures or expenses.

[cantab]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, 15K to 30K was just for the architect’s work, not including any actual construction or fixtures or expenses.

[cantab]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, 15K to 30K was just for the architect’s work, not including any actual construction or fixtures or expenses.

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