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
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
Well, you should consider why the step is there in the first place. What do you want for the new shower—minimal slope, or something else?
It could be that the drains and similar elements are currently positioned slightly above the finished floor level. That might be why the idea is to remove everything, including the screed and underfloor heating, to rebuild it all from scratch. This way, the drains could be integrated into the level of the underfloor heating, allowing more flexibility for a barrier-free shower.
It could be that the drains and similar elements are currently positioned slightly above the finished floor level. That might be why the idea is to remove everything, including the screed and underfloor heating, to rebuild it all from scratch. This way, the drains could be integrated into the level of the underfloor heating, allowing more flexibility for a barrier-free shower.
H
HilfeHilfe3 Dec 2022 07:12Just ask the competition. Rhein Main is, of course, also expensive.
Helisara schrieb:
The house was built in 1998 and was originally constructed to a high standard and fitted with expensive fixtures (not by us) At a minimum, I would replace the columns, install a new toilet, and retile.
With everything else, considering today’s prices for appliances and fittings, I could manage well.
H
hanghaus20233 Dec 2022 09:08First of all, I would be interested to know how the window is handled there.
Otherwise, my initial idea was similar to that of @Nida35a.
I’m also not a fan of washbasins with pedestal stands. But that can easily be changed with a DIY approach.
Let’s wait and see what the bathroom planners suggest here.
Golden fixtures would actually look quite stylish against black.
I get a bit creeped out when I see bathrooms with fully tiled walls.
Otherwise, my initial idea was similar to that of @Nida35a.
I’m also not a fan of washbasins with pedestal stands. But that can easily be changed with a DIY approach.
Let’s wait and see what the bathroom planners suggest here.
Golden fixtures would actually look quite stylish against black.
I get a bit creeped out when I see bathrooms with fully tiled walls.
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