Bathroom reno - tub to shower stall or...

tla4594 · 31-05-2012, 04:52 PM

I'm looking for recommendations for a "small" bathroom renovation. Our bathroom is quite lovely and no renos are needed for decor purposes, but my husband has a disability and we're looking into replacing our tub with a shower or replacing the current tub that is 20 inches in height with a shorter unit - 14 inches in height would be fine. We would like to keep the cost reasonable but still ensure the current lovely decor, tricky to do, I'm sure! Any recommendations of companies or individuals who could complete this reno would be appreciated. Thanks!

moahunter · 31-05-2012, 05:23 PM

^I have heard splash tub and tile are pretty good, they give you a standard design that you like, and come out and price it.

http://www.splashtubandtile.com/

nobleea · 31-05-2012, 05:43 PM

there's a few companies that advertise in the Examiner or community league papers.
to tear out existing bath, new backer board, tile, and shower fixture is something like 4-5K. More for a nice glass door. That would be with the full tile surround shower, no tub. A bit less if you opt for a shallow tub.

I used one of those companies for a bath and tile tear out and replace. Satisfied with the overall job.

KC · 01-06-2012, 10:12 AM

Still $5K+ for a bathroom never added up to me. Always seems to be "rip off" pricing.

Be aware, that if you "special order" anything from anyone, there is a good chance that it won't arrive on time or be what you ordered when it arrives. Avoid the grief and shop around and pay up for an in stock item.

Also, we had our bath wall tiled but with a shower stall we only had it trimmed with tile (tiled to ceiling and a 1/2 tile strip on either side). The latter looks great and avoids all the usual tile issues.

moahunter · 01-06-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC

Still $5K+ for a bathroom never added up to me. Always seems to be "rip off" pricing.

I disagree, it takes a lot of skill to do a bathroom right, I know because I messed mine up. I was happy to pay after that. Even though expensive, bathroom and kitchen are the two reno's that pay back the quickest (aside from a good paint job).

Sonic Death Monkey · 01-06-2012, 10:30 AM

Give these guys a try:
http://www.independentbath.com/

tla4594 · 01-06-2012, 11:21 AM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far, good to have a few places to contact. It's frustrating to think of paying 5k or more to renovate a bathroom that looks fantastic as is, but isn't working for accessibility reasons. Those big soaker tubs really aren't that great! Oh well...

Thanks again - and if anyone has other suggestions, please feel free to add. It's good to have a few to choose from.

Blueline · 01-06-2012, 11:50 AM

Don't forget, Ask your accountant regarding tax deductions related to the expenses and the gov't. about subsidies that are - may be available to alter your principal residence for a person or persons with disabilities (AHS Health link may also be able to assist with info on this)

From their website:

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/223.asp
Contact HEALTHLink AlbertaAnyone in Alberta with a health concern can call:
Toll-free: 1-866-408-5465 (LINK)
Edmonton: 780-408-5465 (LINK)
Calgary: 403-943-5465 (LINK)

Important: We recommend that if you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website, or if you have immediate symptoms that are cause for concern, pick up the phone and call the HEALTHLink Alberta number. Let our registered nurses help you.

nobleea · 01-06-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC

Still $5K+ for a bathroom never added up to me. Always seems to be "rip off" pricing.

Yeah, I added up the cost of the materials, plus markup, and the hours he spent on demo, backerboard install, tiling, grout, cleanup, etc and it worked out to a very handsome hourly rate. Well over $100/hr. As an independent contractor, I will accept a higher rate, but not that high.

PineJockey · 07-06-2012, 01:59 PM

Mike and Zeljko from the northside Splash (each Splash store is independently owned) redid our bathroom recently (including swapping a tub for a shower), and I was very happy with everything. I would recommend them.

tla4594 · 07-06-2012, 04:44 PM

Thanks again for the suggestions. We have a quote from the northside Splash for just over $6k and waiting to hear from another.

31-05-2012, 04:52 PM	#1
tla4594 First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Bathroom reno - tub to shower stall or... I'm looking for recommendations for a "small" bathroom renovation. Our bathroom is quite lovely and no renos are needed for decor purposes, but my husband has a disability and we're looking into replacing our tub with a shower or replacing the current tub that is 20 inches in height with a shorter unit - 14 inches in height would be fine. We would like to keep the cost reasonable but still ensure the current lovely decor, tricky to do, I'm sure! Any recommendations of companies or individuals who could complete this reno would be appreciated. Thanks!

01-06-2012, 10:30 AM	#6
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	Give these guys a try: http://www.independentbath.com/ __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

01-06-2012, 11:50 AM	#8
Blueline Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton	Hope this helps Don't forget, Ask your accountant regarding tax deductions related to the expenses and the gov't. about subsidies that are - may be available to alter your principal residence for a person or persons with disabilities (AHS Health link may also be able to assist with info on this) From their website: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/223.asp Contact HEALTHLink AlbertaAnyone in Alberta with a health concern can call: Toll-free: 1-866-408-5465 (LINK) Edmonton: 780-408-5465 (LINK) Calgary: 403-943-5465 (LINK) Important: We recommend that if you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website, or if you have immediate symptoms that are cause for concern, pick up the phone and call the HEALTHLink Alberta number. Let our registered nurses help you. __________________ Still waiting for the Arlington site to be reborn .......

31-05-2012, 05:23 PM	#2
moahunter Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	^I have heard splash tub and tile are pretty good, they give you a standard design that you like, and come out and price it. http://www.splashtubandtile.com/

31-05-2012, 05:43 PM	#3
nobleea Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton	there's a few companies that advertise in the Examiner or community league papers. to tear out existing bath, new backer board, tile, and shower fixture is something like 4-5K. More for a nice glass door. That would be with the full tile surround shower, no tub. A bit less if you opt for a shallow tub. I used one of those companies for a bath and tile tear out and replace. Satisfied with the overall job.

01-06-2012, 10:12 AM	#4
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Still $5K+ for a bathroom never added up to me. Always seems to be "rip off" pricing. Be aware, that if you "special order" anything from anyone, there is a good chance that it won't arrive on time or be what you ordered when it arrives. Avoid the grief and shop around and pay up for an in stock item. Also, we had our bath wall tiled but with a shower stall we only had it trimmed with tile (tiled to ceiling and a 1/2 tile strip on either side). The latter looks great and avoids all the usual tile issues.

01-06-2012, 11:21 AM	#7
tla4594 First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far, good to have a few places to contact. It's frustrating to think of paying 5k or more to renovate a bathroom that looks fantastic as is, but isn't working for accessibility reasons. Those big soaker tubs really aren't that great! Oh well... Thanks again - and if anyone has other suggestions, please feel free to add. It's good to have a few to choose from.

07-06-2012, 01:59 PM	#10
PineJockey First One is Always Free Join Date: Apr 2008	Mike and Zeljko from the northside Splash (each Splash store is independently owned) redid our bathroom recently (including swapping a tub for a shower), and I was very happy with everything. I would recommend them.

07-06-2012, 04:44 PM	#11
tla4594 First One is Always Free Join Date: May 2012	Thanks again for the suggestions. We have a quote from the northside Splash for just over $6k and waiting to hear from another.