What does a professionally managed, full-service bathroom remodel actually include?
The room may be small, but almost every expensive trade still has to show up.
Why does a small bathroom remodel cost $35,000--$45,000?
A bathroom may only be 5' — 8', but its size doesn't necessarily determine the amount of work involved. A standard bathroom can require demolition, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall, waterproofing, tile work, cabinetry, countertops, painting, fixture installation, permits, project management, and final finishing.
At our company, we're not simply replacing a tub and vanity. We provide a professionally designed and managed remodeling project using quality semi-custom products and experienced tradespeople. Our pricing includes the people behind the project as well—the designers, project managers, installers, administrative support, warranty service, and the systems necessary to keep a remodel organized from beginning to end.
We also employ skilled craftsmen and pay them accordingly. Experienced remodeling professionals cost more than temporary or low-cost labor, but that experience matters when you're dealing with waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, tile installation, and the finishes you're going to live with every day.
Our goal isn't to be the cheapest remodeler. It's to provide a professionally managed project, quality materials,skilled installation, strong communication, and a company that will stand behind the work after the project is complete.
"But it's such a small bathroom."
That's understandable. What surprises many homeowners is that remodeling costs don't decrease proportionately with square footage. A 5' — 8' bathroom still needs a plumber, electrician, carpenter, tile installer, painter, designer and project management. The same processes that go into a larger bathroom are often required in the smaller one—they're simply happening in a tighter space.
You're selling more than labor and materials. You're selling infrastructure.
A lower-priced contractor may only have to cover himself, his truck and whichever subcontractors he brings in. A full-service remodeling company has substantially more behind every project: showroom, designers, project managers, skilled employees, office staff, insurance, vehicles, equipment, warranty work, scheduling, purchasing and customer service.
That doesn't mean the customer should pay for unnecessary overhead. It means those things are part of the service they're purchasing.
"Our bathroom pricing reflects the actual cost of delivering the level of service and workmanship we promise. Small bathrooms aren't necessarily high-margin projects—they're labor-intensive projects with many of the same trades and processes required in much larger remodels."
$40,000 doesn't mean there's $40,000 worth of tile and fixtures in the room. It represents materials plus demolition, skilled labor, multiple trades, design, ordering, delivery, supervision, installation, insurance, warranty and the company infrastructure required to take responsibility for the entire project.