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
H
hanghaus20233 Dec 2022 18:38What are the external length and width of the bathtub?
Yes, I call it the "Barbie dollhouse." Balcony railings, arched windows, etc.… the turquoise bathroom with columns fits perfectly.
Not inherited – purchased after 6 years of unsuccessful searching because the location is absolutely fantastic, the plot is nice, and the price very attractive (the house was not on the market), plus we have 2 children and the house suits the family well. Also, we couldn’t find the desired older building despite endless searching. Some compromise had to be made.
We can’t change the style much, but inside we have already gutted almost everything and remodeled it to our taste. Now it’s the bathrooms’ turn.
Not inherited – purchased after 6 years of unsuccessful searching because the location is absolutely fantastic, the plot is nice, and the price very attractive (the house was not on the market), plus we have 2 children and the house suits the family well. Also, we couldn’t find the desired older building despite endless searching. Some compromise had to be made.
We can’t change the style much, but inside we have already gutted almost everything and remodeled it to our taste. Now it’s the bathrooms’ turn.
Talk to the provider again. All the tiles and similar materials are supposed to be removed first. The plan is to first gut the space, then inspect it, and afterwards either replace the shower or bathtub—unless it’s more cost-effective and less complicated to keep the existing position of the bathtub/shower.
Also, ask for more details about why replacing the underfloor heating is being considered. It seems to be working fine, or have you noticed any failures in the bathroom?
Regarding the door, why can’t it simply be replaced with a new frame door?
And about the windows… are there arched windows throughout the entire house? It looks like the arch might be created by a casing frame, which should make replacement relatively straightforward.
Also, ask for more details about why replacing the underfloor heating is being considered. It seems to be working fine, or have you noticed any failures in the bathroom?
Regarding the door, why can’t it simply be replaced with a new frame door?
And about the windows… are there arched windows throughout the entire house? It looks like the arch might be created by a casing frame, which should make replacement relatively straightforward.
H
hanghaus20233 Dec 2022 18:56If the bathtub is placed at the end, you have space for a shower measuring 1 m * 1.5 m (3.3 ft * 4.9 ft).
Do you want and are able to do some of the work yourself? For example, removing the tiles?
You should clearly describe what you want and then start another tender process.
I thought there are bathroom planners here in the forum as well?
Do you want and are able to do some of the work yourself? For example, removing the tiles?
You should clearly describe what you want and then start another tender process.
I thought there are bathroom planners here in the forum as well?
I understood the company to mean that they never just do cosmetic work on bathrooms, but always completely gut and fully rebuild them, as that is their standard. For example, they also do mitred tile edges.
However, we plan to talk to them about this again. From the start, we made it clear that we didn’t want costs to spiral out of control, and our initial suggestion was to keep the layout as it is. Apparently, the company is not willing to accept that.
The arched windows are like this: the windows themselves all have an arch, but the window openings are all rectangular and have internal trim to create the arch effect, as can be seen in the bathroom. From the outside, the window framing, which is set off from the facade, is also in an arch shape. So, if you replaced the window with a rectangular one, you would see the window frame corners from the inside at the top. If anyone can make sense of this (I can’t...).
We could actually replace the door. We would prefer it to open outward anyway, because I always bump into my husband’s side when he’s brushing his teeth and I want to come in...
However, we plan to talk to them about this again. From the start, we made it clear that we didn’t want costs to spiral out of control, and our initial suggestion was to keep the layout as it is. Apparently, the company is not willing to accept that.
The arched windows are like this: the windows themselves all have an arch, but the window openings are all rectangular and have internal trim to create the arch effect, as can be seen in the bathroom. From the outside, the window framing, which is set off from the facade, is also in an arch shape. So, if you replaced the window with a rectangular one, you would see the window frame corners from the inside at the top. If anyone can make sense of this (I can’t...).
We could actually replace the door. We would prefer it to open outward anyway, because I always bump into my husband’s side when he’s brushing his teeth and I want to come in...
Similar topics