ᐅ Bathroom Renovation: Quote Exceeding $50,000

Hello,

after a sleepless night, I’m seeking your help. We have a bathroom that is about 25 years old, which we inherited when buying the house. It’s now beyond repair, tiles are falling off, all the fixtures (Dornbracht!) are broken, etc.

We spoke with a highly recommended company in our region (Rhine-Main area) and they gave us a quote of over 50,000 euros. It’s a “maximum” offer, no extras, standard fixtures, house-brand tiles, etc. Maximum in the sense that everything that might possibly come up is included. No additional charges, according to them.

Part of the offer is, for example, to remove and replace the existing underfloor heating, and renew all the pipes in the bathroom. Reason: underfloor heating of this age is no longer reliable and should be replaced. We are wondering: is this really necessary?

The bathroom has a classic layout: bathtub and shower on one long side, double sink and toilet on the other long side. We only want to swap the positions of the bathtub and shower, with the shower to be built up and tiled. Everything else should remain as it is, just re-tiled with new sanitary fixtures and new taps. We also plan to lower the ceiling to install spotlights.

We had a budget of about 25,000 to 30,000 euros in mind, and assumed that might even allow for a strip of Bisazza glass mosaic. But the price calculated now, with relatively simple fittings that we do not like, is really depressing.

I understand that I can’t simply compare to prices from large online retailers, as contractors create mixed calculations including materials, installation, warranties, etc. Still, are we that far off with our budget? If not – how do I find a reasonable contractor without astronomical prices? One who really understands the job, who doesn’t insist on tile edge trims, who can properly do glass mosaic, and who is willing to listen rather than just follow their standard scheme?

We are definitely willing to invest to get a great bathroom. But 50,000 euros for a bathroom that still falls far short of our dream bathroom – that just won’t work.

Does anyone have any tips for us?

Many thanks and best regards,
Heli

So are the individual items listed in the quote?
What does the renewal of the underfloor heating include?

Otherwise, I agree with you that the quote seems very high. However, without a detailed breakdown of what is included, it is hard to say much.

Hello Tolentino,
thank you for your reply! I also have a black curly dog; I’ll have to find a photo.
Yes, the quote is itemized. Not in detail, but by work package. For example:
demolition work, container, rough installation, then work packages for bathtub area, shower area, wash area, toilet, where fixtures, sanitary objects, washbasin, etc. are listed but not broken down individually; instead, the price is given for the entire area. Then hourly wage, drywall work, tiling, etc. are each given as totals per work package.
Underfloor heating: about 1,500 net.

Another example: supply and installation of drinking water pipes, wastewater pipes, heating pipes together about 4,000 net.
Drywall shower wall, drywall ceiling suspension together about 4,500 net.

The bathroom is about 9.5 sqm (102 sq ft). Rectangular, with window and door each on the short sides.

Best regards,
Helisara

Is there a plan of the property before and after? Photos of the existing condition? Scope of work description?

I am reading a complex project involving the replacement of underfloor heating, screed, rerouting of pipes, building walls, and so on.

You are certainly going all out with this – and it comes at a cost. Of course, 50,000 euros is a significant amount; if we could see the offer, we could say more. It might be reasonable, or it might not.

Request quotes from one or two more companies. That way, you’ll get a better sense of the price. My impression is that it is expensive. Your 30,000 EUR sounds reasonable to me.