Hey everyone! I'm currently expanding and renovating my master bathroom, and I initially got a labor quote for tiling that was just under $3,000. I'm using subway tiles for the shower, which features a chair rail and a large niche, and penny tiles with a border pattern for the floor. No other tiling is planned in the bathroom. However, I was stunned when I received a revised quote today for a whopping $23,000 just for labor! I can't believe the hike in price and would love your thoughts on whether this is a reasonable quote or if it's too high. I asked the contractors for clarification on what the original $3,000 included because I might have to change tile selections. Please reassure me that this quote sounds insane! Thanks!
3 Answers
Honestly, your best bet is to find out which tile is causing the spike in labor costs. Subway tiles can be tricky because they're often labor-intensive to install, especially if they're on a smaller scale. The penny tiles could also add to the labor time if they're not mesh mounted. I’d ask your contractor directly about the labor breakdown and see if you can negotiate based on that.
Wow, that's a huge jump! Sounds like a classic case of a bait-and-switch. The initial low quote might have just been to get you on board, and now they're coming back with a crazy price. It's definitely worth getting a couple of quotes from other local companies to compare. If they try to pressure you into this high price, I'd consider looking for someone else to do the job with better pricing.
Right? I've seen this tactic a lot, especially when contractors sense they can get away with it. Don't hesitate to stand your ground and push for clarity on that initial estimate!
I totally feel your pain! $23K for labor alone seems excessive, especially for the size of your bathroom. I suggest gathering some comparative quotes to see if this price is out of line. If you find others that are significantly lower, then definitely push back. It might also be wise to ask them to explain why the price is so high, especially if you're doing intensive tiling work with those penny tiles.
For sure! I've learned the hard way to get multiple quotes before moving forward. Your bathroom size is manageable, so I wouldn't settle for that high of a quote without some serious justification!
Good point! Sometimes they quote high just to avoid the job or because they know it requires more effort. It's essential to clarify every detail, especially since you've got specific choices that aren't the easiest to work with.