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Subject: OT: New Bathtub
Posted by: Senator Urine
- [141130310] Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 16:39
Hey guys, sorry for the OT post, just wondering if you had any advice for me. I bought a condo a year ago and a week ago I got a call from management saying my tub was leaking down onto the apartment below. A big crack developed on the floor.
I just got two estimates done. Roto Rooter said fixing it would probably be about $200, and getting a new tub would be $800 for labor and then the price of the tub. The guy seemed very honest with me and told me it would probably break again if a repair was done, and that I should pick out a tub myself because they'd mark it up.
Bathfitters said I shouldn't even bother repairing it, that it's the worst crack they've ever seen, and that the best price they could give me total for a complete job is $5200 (and if I decide tonight, around $4700).
I'm really not sure what to do (this sounds like a typical GMD post of mine right now) and of course I can't get in touch with my parents. Anyone have any experience in this matter? Is that Bathfitters price unreasonable?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks again. |
| 1 | bd
ID: 01081412
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 17:09
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I bought a new Jacuzzi tub from Lowes a few months ago for $500. A simple tub will cost you only $300 or so while fancy ones can run a few grand or more. If buying your own make sure you know whether your tub is right or left hand drain and make sure you have enough room.
There are several factors though, Is it a corner tub? Do you want jets and if so how many? Are you going to need to replace a shower enclosure with the tub or is it a separate tub. Tubs are like most products, you can spend a little or go wild and get very expensive. The $5200 seems awfully high to me though.
Is the tub you're removing cast iron? If so then it's a lot of fun smashing it out of there, but extremely heavy if you attempt to move in one piece.
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| 2 | Frick
ID: 540212816
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 17:21
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Is there structural damage to the floor under the tub? If not the $5,200 seems high, but with out more details on what they wanted to do, it's hard to tell.
It probably wouldn't hurt to have a 3rd contractor come out, due to the 2 estimates being so far apart.
There are contractors who will quote a job and then start adding more charges, either real that couldn't have been foreseen, or things that they should have known, but didn't include to get the job.
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| 3 | Tree
ID: 3533298
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 17:38
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i'd do research. there seem to be a fair amount of people pissed off enough at bathfitters for various reasons that they'll post about it on the internet...
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| 4 | deejay
Sustainer
ID: 501182710
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 17:47
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I dont live in the US, neither do I have much clue about bathtubs, but that price (5200 dollars) seems pretty steep to me.
Is it in gold Senator?
I would certainly call some other companies.
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| 5 | Perm Dude
ID: 46046287
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 17:47
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It resists urine.
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| 6 | Senator Urine
ID: 141130310
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 18:40
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Yeah, it looks like Bathfitters isn't the way to go, especially after reading those stories. I have a feeling there's going to be some damage under there, just based on the way the Bathfitters guy reacted. But then again I have a feeling everything he said / did was part of a script. I love being asked "Would you rather spend $4000 twice or $5200 once?" four different times and actually being forced to answer. Uch.
My thing right now is one of those one-piece fiberglass units, I'm not exactly sure what they're called (where there's the tub and then the wall that extends up close to the ceiling). Hopefully those aren't too expensive to replace.
I'm just looking for something cheap that won't break / I won't have to replace before I move out. I'm not into fancy stuff, the only furniture I even have in my place is a couch.
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| 7 | Frick
Donor
ID: 3410101718
Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 20:30
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Showers for the most part are going to last a long, long time. The ones in my parent's house are close to 30 years old. I honestly can't say that I've ever heard of one breaking before.
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| 8 | soetal1
ID: 1308287
Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 16:58
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"$5200 (and if I decide tonight, around $4700)."
Bathfitters made it easy for you. stay away from them.
I got a 7 person jacuzzi tub with 60 jets, lights, music, and waterfall for $3700 (SAMS)
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| 9 | biliruben
ID: 5610442715
Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 17:03
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A similar thing happened to me when renting a condo. There was structural damage and it ended up costing the owner about 5Gs to fix it (and that was quick and dirty with a crappy tub).
I was living with a 400lb Samoan at the time, so the structural issues were life-threatening!
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| 10 | Senator Urine
ID: 141130310
Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 17:47
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This just keeps getting better and better. I just informed the lady who runs my building that I'm getting it replaced. She instantly starts yelling at me, and tells me Roto Rooter doesn't know what they're doing (she initially suggested them) and that Home Depot isn't even welcome in the building. She told me some local place is the only one she'd be happy with me using. She's impossible to even have a conversation with, so I went back up and called the place she suggested. They said that in general it would be $400 to replace or $1500 to replace, and they would send someone out tomorrow to look at it. Does that $1500 sound reasonable?
He mentioned something about them not having a carpenter. Would I need one? All I'm having them do is take out the tub, I guess some plumbing work, and put in the new one.
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| 11 | Perm Dude
ID: 46046287
Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 17:50
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If they have to do any flooring work (and they will--that is why you are getting the tub replaced!), you'll need to either have them hire one or have one on yourself when they take out the old tub.
Sounds like they might want to just rip the old one out and put in a new one on weakened flooring. Big mistake.
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| 12 | Frick
Donor
ID: 3410101718
Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 17:58
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How long have you had the condo? The reason I ask is if the prior owner knew about the problem and didn't disclose it, they and the realtor have potential liability.
As for who to use, unless you have some sort of strange covenent, I don't think the lady who runs the building can tell you who to use. You are the one paying for the repairs.
I would suggest getting another contractor to come out, I know it's a pain, but if the one that was suggested doesn't have a carpenter you are looking at sub-contracting and more $.
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| 13 | Senator Urine
ID: 141130310
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 18:52
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This situation keeps getting more and more complicated. Here's where I'm at right now:
- The people that woman suggested came but then didn't return my calls for three weeks. So they're out.
- Roto Rooter (after giving me an estimate) told me they don't do bathtubs in Philadelphia.
- Multiple plumbers didn't call me back, but now I have two.
A) The first guy gave me a written estimate of $2550. This number, however, does not include any carpentry, I'd have to get someone on my own for that. His plan is to basically put up what I have now, except it would be three pieces instead of the one piece molded unit.
B) The second guy gave me a loose estimate of 3000. He's done jobs in my building so he's familiar with it, and expressed concern that there's no access panel behind my tub. We brought this up to building management, and they agreed that if necessary, they would put a hole in the hallway and cover that cost themselves. His number for some reason, after looking things over, jumped up to an estimated $3800 today. However, this covers all carpentry also, so the whole job would be complete. His plan is to put in a fiberglass tub and tile the walls and put in a tub enclosure.
Do these figures seem reasonable? Which guy would you go with? I pretty much have to decide tonight. My fear is that Plumber A doesn't know the building as well, and more unforseen things will happen that could escalate the price up to or over what Plumber B is wanting to charge.
Does a tub / tiles generally get better resale value than those three piece units?
Any help would be greatly, greatly appreciated. This is pretty much a nightmare.
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| 14 | Senator Urine
ID: 141130310
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 18:54
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I've had the condo for a little over a year. As far as I know the previous owners and realtor were unaware of this problem. The cracks weren't there initially, they somehow developed over time. Both plumbers think it was never put in right to begin with.
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| 15 | Senator Urine
ID: 141130310
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 19:50
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Quick revision to #13 - I just spoke to Plumber B about the difference in prices. He said the initial estimate was 3500, not 3000 and the extra 300 comes from the tub enclosure. There aren't any tiles in the plan.
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| 16 | bibA
Leader
ID: 261028117
Thu, Feb 28, 2008, 20:03
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Senator....just keep getting as many estimates as possible before you say screw it and settle on one of them. The more professionals you talk with, the more you will learn about your particular situation, and the more you will ultimately feel comfortable with one of them. Get referrals from neighbors, friends, local businessmen etc. Take notes, and get written estimates.
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| 17 | gabriel
ID: 46228120
Wed, Mar 12, 2008, 02:33
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DON'T keep getting estimates you will only become more confused and every company will tell you something different. You need to establish your budget first(this is a capital improvement so you will make a portion of your money back when you sell), then from there pick three reputable conctractors that are close to the same size. I recommend calling your town or city building department they will give you names of contractors that are in there pulling permits and doing business there everyday or even the chamber of commerce. I suggest you find a full service remodeling firm that is capable of handling the entire project and avoid the bathfitter type replacement they are simply cover-ups. I will admit in the long run it is a little more costly...but It is handled by one group who takes care of everything....so stop what you are doing and find 3 Full Service Remodeling Firms that are similar in size and commit to a contract...Good Luck!!! :)
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