Bathroom addition quote. How fair?

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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Bathroom addition quote. How fair?

Evgeny Vlasov
Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes

This is a quote from a licensed contractor, for a bathroom addition within existing house walls (storage room 12x10).
Property location is in SF bay area.  
Complications to this project are: braking concrete slub to put water pump; braking wall to install window.
Drawings and permits are done. 
I understand that diff projects varies from one to another, but still, all online resources suggests that adding a bathroom within existing perimeter is within 20 - 35k range. 
I've gotten a quote for 46k just for labor alone. 

 

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Andy SabischPro Member
Investor · Jackson, MS · Member since 2021 · 660 posts · 561 votes
3y
Without knowing what typical costs are in your area which by the very nature of SF Bay versus update Pennsylvania, I would say that the costs are quite high.  Almost $10K for demo and haul-away?  With a quote like that, unless you have used the contractor before and feel comfortable with the work and prices he provides, I would definitely get another quote.  Remember, that for some contractors that really do not want the job they will give you a quote that if you take it they will do it or sub it to another contractor.  Had a friend that was a contractor in Atlanta and that was what he told me was done for jobs they did not really want.  In fact he had received work at the higher quote that he did  just that - had another contractor sub to him and he pocketed the difference.  The quote sounds like that might be the case so get another estimate and see how it compares.
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  • Andy SabischPro Member
    Investor · Jackson, MS · Member since 2021 · 660 posts · 561 votes
    3y
    Without knowing what typical costs are in your area which by the very nature of SF Bay versus update Pennsylvania, I would say that the costs are quite high.  Almost $10K for demo and haul-away?  With a quote like that, unless you have used the contractor before and feel comfortable with the work and prices he provides, I would definitely get another quote.  Remember, that for some contractors that really do not want the job they will give you a quote that if you take it they will do it or sub it to another contractor.  Had a friend that was a contractor in Atlanta and that was what he told me was done for jobs they did not really want.  In fact he had received work at the higher quote that he did  just that - had another contractor sub to him and he pocketed the difference.  The quote sounds like that might be the case so get another estimate and see how it compares.
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  • Nicholas Valente
    Contractor · Hopedale, MA · Member since 2020 · 31 posts · 29 votes
    3y

    @Evgeny Vlasov

    100% get another quote. But I don’t think you will find 20k if your subbing it all out. That’s a lot of work

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  • Evgeny Vlasov
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    3y

    @Andy Sabisch That was my feeling as well. For demolition - we only need to haul 2x3 piece of wall, where a window will be installed. Was shocked to see it in quote.

    @Nicholas Valente Yea, got another contractor coming on sunday. Lets see if its a 'me' issue, and they just don't want to pick up this project, or a 'they' issue. 
     

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  • Brian Reynolds
    Rental Property Investor · Porter Ranch, CA · Member since 2016 · 31 posts · 40 votes
    3y

    Looks like a typical SF/LA California contractor quote.  Which is to say, absurdly high, but on par with other quality contractors you're likely to find.  However, not seeing any drawings or photos, it's hard to say.  

    We are in LA and reconfigured our two upstairs bathrooms, moved a wall to take space from one (guest) and give to the other (master).  Down to the studs, raised the ceiling, added a toilet room, nice, but not "luxury" finishes.  Well above rental grade.  I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I'm guessing we spent $75-100k, all in, including materials.  This was back in 2018.

    Other options: DIY if you're EXTEMELY handy and good at YouTubing.  Or maybe hire out each task separately to a plumber, electrician, etc... GC's tend to put 20% on top of whatever they pay subs if they don't have them in house.  You could always go cheap and go to Home Depot parking lot for day labor, although that's probably not for the feint of heart, especially if you don't want to or not good at supervising... and speaking spanish.

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  • Aditya Kohli
    Member since 2021 · 36 posts · 21 votes
    3y

    Hey @Evgeny Vlasov! What did you end up doing ? I am in a similar boat trying to add a bathroom in a room. Do you have any recommendations for drawing and permits that you used ?

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  • Nick Rutkowski
    Rental Property Investor · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y

    @Evgeny Vlasov

    That’s about what I’d charge for a large job like this. It looks like a lot of systems work (plumbing and electric), structural work (foundation and framing) and finishing work (painting and trim). If he’s putting in luxury materials, it can run you another 30-50k.

    Now is it worth to get a second quote, of course. With materials prices inflated, shortages of good skilled labor, and you live in the richest state in America - you’re going to have a very high quote compared to the national average.

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