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September 15, 2008
Is it possible to renovate a 6 by 8 bathroom for $12,000?
Someone from New York Kitchen & Bathroom (NYKB) just told me that I will be "miserable" and "Good Luck!" when I told him my budget was $12,000 for a small bathroom reno. Is this budget so low it warrants being treated like such a worthless pauper by these companies?
What I need to have done is:
1. Redo the ceiling and install overhead lighting
2. Replace iron tub
3. Replace tile on walls and floor
4. Install new vanity
5. Install 3 feet of cabinetry
6. Install a new radiator cover
I’ve already called a few contractors I have found here on this forum. But so far, no one has called me back. Can you give me some good opinions on whether I will be able to do this within a budget? Also, can you give me some more recommendations for contractors?
Comments
Wait a few weeks. Then they'll call you back, as no one will be calling them.
Posted by: denton at September 15, 2008 7:07 PM
As someone who has done similar bathrooms twice now, I think you should be able to do that on 12K. You aren't moving any plumbing or electric, which is where things get really pricey, nor changing the footprint really, right? I had 3 contractors estimate our recent kitchen/bath reno at 3X more than what it ended up costing us, and we are very happy with the results. It depends on how much you are willing to do yourself and how high-end materials you want.
Posted by: WTbound at September 15, 2008 7:23 PM
If you don't get carried away with pricey materials, you can have a very respectable renovation done for that price.
Posted by: Bond at September 15, 2008 7:29 PM
Do you have extensive plumbing work? Are you in a co-op/condo or private home?
If you're in a co-op/condo, they may require you to replace the branch piping.
Yes, you can do this with your budget. But don't expect top of the line fixtures or stone tile, floor to ceiling.
Of course NYKB, is going to tell you that. They want to sell you a high end bathroom. You should start shopping around, see what you like. Don't go for the really high end products. I would stay mid to lower end. You can still make it look good. There are great low to mid price products out there that look like they're worth more.
There are so many websites you can visit, and showrooms galore. Find your style and then figure out what will fit into your budget.
If you're having a contractor do the work and purchase all the products for you, they're not going to know what to price out, because you haven't picked anything out yet.
If you're going to buy all the products and have them install, ask them to just price out the construction, plumbing, electrical, tiling work. Basically, giving you a price for labor. After you get a price for labor, you can then figure out what you can spend on the material.
Note - if the contractor / installer sucks. You can spend can 50k on the bathroom and it won't look good.
Make sure the tiler (person installing the tile) is good. There's noting worse than a terrible tiling job.
Here's a couple of sites to look at.
www.homeclick.com
www.qualitybath.com
There's always Home Depot and Lowe's - alot of people knock them, but they have inexpensive things. Hey, not everybody can afford designer fixtures.
Sorry, I'm so long winded.
Good luck
Posted by: bayridgegirl at September 15, 2008 7:36 PM
Also -
- Why you replacing the ceiling. Can you just patch it and skim coat it.
- cast iron tubs are more $ than acrylic (I prefer cast iron, but if you need to cut corners)
- 3 feet of cabinetry - it may be cheaper to buy something ready made, as opposed to having a millworker build something.
You didn't mention a toilet - keeping it?
Here's a list of the things you're going to or may need:
- Bathtub
- Sink bowl
- Sink Cabinet
- Toilet
- Bathtub fittings (spout, shower fittings)
- Bathtub Sliding doors (or curtain, or glass)
- Sink Faucet Fittings
- Medicine Cabinet
- Light Fixture (over medicine cabinet, over bathtub, general in bathroom)
- Wall Tile
- Floor Tile
- Shelves in Bathtub (some people do wire baskets)
- Accessories (toilet paper dispenser, towel bar, robe hook)
- New saddle
- Radiator Cover
Hope this is a start.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at September 15, 2008 7:50 PM
You could save yourself a lot of money by doing some of those jobs yourself. Tiling and installing a RTA cabinet is no big deal.
Posted by: Steve at September 15, 2008 9:42 PM
Hi
My name is Sooknarine Sookhai. The name of my business is Eagle Construction (Licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs).
I am interested in seeing the job mentioned here and can stop by to give a free estimate.
Awaiting your earliest reply. Thanks in advance.
Sincerely
Sooknarine Sookhai (Dinesh)
Christine Stephen (Business Partner)
Eagle Construction
(347) 227-5834
Ps. You can ask for either of us to schedule a time.
Posted by: nightingale at September 15, 2008 10:21 PM
We built an entire bathroom out of a walk in closet for 6K.
It was a mixture of home depot for the tiles, ikea for vanity, mirrors, sink etc. We splurged on the shower, toilet and backslash to achieve a more high end look. I think it cam out great.
Both electricity and plummbing had to be moved.
However, we hired just one guy and worked side by side with him, doing the tiling, grouting and a lot of other work ourselves.
Posted by: formerPH at September 16, 2008 10:05 AM
We just finished a 4x8 reno. We hired a plumber to install a new tub and shower body, and a tile contractor to retile the walls, floor and shower. We had replaced fixtures, toilet and vanity in the past. If I add all that into the mix the total was around $6000 for materials and labor. I did the demo myself and am doing finish work, like painting, patching, lighting, etc.
Posted by: cornetor at September 16, 2008 10:32 AM
Yes it can be done, maybe for less if you are cautious with your spending.
Please call Gilson Dias. He wil be happy to take a look and give a free estimate. His prices are reasonable and negotiable. His work is clean and he is reliable and easy to get along with.
He did some work for me.
Tell him the wife of the writer jacques Stern referred him.
If you want more info from me send an email to bebop.bentley@yahoo.com and I will be happy to get back to you.
Ask me anything you like.
Gilson Dias 347-743-9206
Posted by: madamlee at September 16, 2008 2:11 PM
i just recommended someone yesterday who would probably be able to do if for that price, and he is really great - a perfectionist who is AMAZING at tiling. His name is Greg Jiritano - you can reach him through his wife's cell phone or email: brooklynflat@gmail.com and 646-460-0100 (her name is Anais).
Posted by: gkw at September 16, 2008 3:20 PM
NYKB is fairly expensive and high end. When I came in with my reno budget (40 for total kitchen and bath) I could see the pity in their eyes. Just go to a local kitchen and bath store or contractor. 12k should be fine - tub and electric will likely be the most expensive.
Posted by: cortnyc at September 16, 2008 3:42 PM
You can absolutely do this. I'm doing my smallish (about 6'x8') bathroom for about 10k. None of the super high-end stuff, but who needs it? A shower stall or tub with sliding doors; a simple, small toilet; a sink and vanity; and simple, bright subway tiles all around.
I think the trick is finding a contractor first and letting them ghet materials, rather than starting with fancy fixtures from a retail place like NYKB and trying to find someone to install them. A good local contractor will know the best and cheapest places to get materials... e.g. I always use Mondial Tile, which is here in Brooklyn.
Don't have too specific an idea of what you want - i.e. these particular tiles or this particular sink. Don't try to control the process too much. For 12k your bathroom isn't going to be in any magazines. Let the contractor know what you generally want, and let them sweat the details. Quality of the installation matters more than the particular fixtures. If you just roll with things you can have a cheap, stress-free and beautiful result.
Posted by: sdrubbins at September 16, 2008 5:12 PM
sdrubbins
If people roll with things that is asking for trouble. Your living situation is serious and you are spending hard earned cash to get what you want.
Contractors can barely manage money on a job. It is their worst subject.
Most contractors do not have a formal business set-up.
Posted by: madamlee at September 16, 2008 5:23 PM
I would definitely pick the fixtures yourself and pay separate for labor. If not, you will get run of the mill lower quality fixtures and it won't really save you any money anyway.
Posted by: cortnyc at September 16, 2008 7:09 PM
We did a similar sized bath for slightly unde 10, but we didn't gut it and kept the original tub. New fixtures and tile all around, but we went high mid-range on fixtures. We lived in an elevator co-op so it probably cost a bit more than it should have. So yes, I'd say 12k is doable, especially in this economy. Also, agree with sourcing your own fixtures. And don't roll with things. You're goign to have to sweat the details yourself for that price.
Posted by: Bolder at September 16, 2008 9:07 PM
We totally gutted and rebuilt a bathroom from scratch (converted half to full). The total job, including our contractor, designer (who admittedly was very inexpensive since she was new) and materials, was only about 12K. We used pretty nice materials - not top of line, but not home depot/lowe's either. Granted, it was a small space, and the contractor was cheaper than many others - but it turned out beautifully!
Posted by: Miss Muffett at September 16, 2008 10:59 PM
You can absolutely do this yourself. Just have to get the materials yourself. Check at home depot,lowes,weismans on mcdonalds ave,bergen tiles on flatbush ave and certified lumber in williamsburg for sheetrock,wood , etc. Good luck.
Posted by: iluvclintonhill at September 17, 2008 12:42 PM
we can handle your budget sensative job. alot of it depends on the amount of money you want to spend on your tile/vanity/fixtures ect.
give us a call for a free estimate, and check out our website.
http://colonialconceptscorp.com/
steve
516-792-5772
Posted by: steve79 at September 17, 2008 12:43 PM
Hello there,
I just had my bathroom redone. Taking out the extensive plumbing work I had to install, I was able to easily do this under $12K. Contact LBK Contracting and ask for Larry. I swear he is the easiest guy to work with, incredibly reliable and they do a great job.
His number is 917-531-4947. Tell him that Faye recommended him.
Posted by: feelyng at September 17, 2008 1:45 PM
I am interested in taking a look at this project for pricing. Please contact me at (917) 573-3304. Below are pictures of a similar in size bathroom renovation in progress in SOHO, for under $12,000 all new walls, ceilings, tiles, floors, if interested you can call me at the above number or email me for updated photos @ acrcontracting@optonline.net.
Regards,
Al Rosario
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/istaylookensexy/88%20Bleecker%20Street/DSCF0315.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/istaylookensexy/88%20Bleecker%20Street/DSCF0316.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/istaylookensexy/88%20Bleecker%20Street/DSCF0431.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/istaylookensexy/88%20Bleecker%20Street/DSCF0432.jpg
Posted by: alrosariojr at September 17, 2008 10:11 PM
I just wanted to shout out a huge thank you to everyone who responded to my post here. You've given me lots of great ideas and I feel encouraged again that this can be done.
Thanks again.
Posted by: TJR at September 18, 2008 7:46 AM
I'm late here, but in case you are still checking in, I redid my 5x7 three years ago for $8400, replaced everything except the tub--undermount ceramic sink, vanity, toilet, silestone extended countertop, kohler faucets in tub and sink. I didn't go over the top (except with the $800 toilet, don't ask).. Picked black and white ceramic tile and did not tile walls, decided expense wasn't worth it, I'd rather paint. Very happy with results. Used Cambria Remodeling, nice to deal with, cleaned up well, came in on schedule.
718-759-0466
Posted by: westernnygirl at September 20, 2008 10:18 AM
Call my Contractor, they were even placed in a magazine and there work was on TV twice.
IEB @ 718.204.2552
PK
Posted by: Bklyn1 at September 20, 2008 4:22 PM
LMAO! Listen, I'll tell you something about NYKB: They're CROOKS. They ruined my apt and walked off my job and kept my money (which they DIDN'T--contrary to state LAW--place in escrow). Oh, and my bathroom? They messed up the tiling so badly that it ALL had to be ripped out and redone by another company. So I paid twice. Be thankful those SOBs treated you like a "pauper" and sneered at your budget. If they come back to you wanting your business, take it from me: Say "no way" and hang up. If you don't you'll regret it for months (or, like me, for years).
Posted by: uessue at October 1, 2008 12:12 AM
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