1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Bathroom remodel contractor recommendations

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by wahoogeek, Jul 18, 2008.

  1. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    505
    Likes Received:
    2
    We want to redo our master bath and need recommendations for contractors. Its so hard to find decent outfits these days so maybe you all can help us and those who need this help in the future as well.

    We are looking both for a one-stop outfit to do most of the work (installations, tile, plumbing, etc.) and specialists (e.g., tile only, plumbing only) with us as the general contractor. Also looking for retailers of tile, fixtures, etc. as well.

    I've done some searches here and O'neill Tile had some recommendations a year ago.

    Please post your recommendations here for all bathroom remodel info, maybe this thread can serve the entire Broadlands community.

    thanks.
     
  2. Echogirl

    Echogirl Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    6
    We just redid our master bath. Instead of having our contractor do everything, we decided to break things up - a little more work, but in our case, worth it. Had a tile guy do all of the tile work and installed Schluter Systems (Kerdi for walls and Ditra for floor). It's a waterproofing membrane - added more to the cost, but well worth it in the long run. Contractor did new drywall, subfloor, electrical, plumbing and installation. Shower door company installed frameless shower surround. In order to save money, we were able to order fixtures, toilet, vanities thru family/friend contractor accounts.

    Our remodel came about after issues with mildew/mold in the shower. Found out that the builder placed tile on drywall - no greenboard, hence the problem. After getting up old tile floor, we ended up having to redo entire subfloor. Some rotting of wood., not too bad but Builder not only screwed it in, also used liquid nails. It was done in such a patchwork way, that we decided to redo.

    Here is a list of who we used:

    TILE Arlindo Medeiros - Medeiros Tile LLC.
    Found him doing one of the tile display vignettes at CONESTOGA TILE. He does great work and great price. Less expensive than O'Neill. Would use him again in a heartbeat. Neat, trustworthy, great ideas and flexible.
    571-220-7923 571-434-0229 www.medeirostilellc.com

    CONTRACTOR Allen
     
  3. Echogirl

    Echogirl Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    6
    Sorry for the screw up - here's the rest

    CONTRACTOR Allen Renner Home Improvements Made Easy, Inc. Allen redid a bathroom for my mother as well as redoing her basement family room. He is completely trustworthy, prompt and does good work. He is the boss and did all the work, except for help from an associate with the drywall. Had him do electrical, plumbing, install vanities, toilet, fixtures and install new subfloor. Total time for initial demo and install was about 5 days then one day to return after tilework was done.

    703-585-7585

    TILE STORE Conestoga Tile 22800A Indian Creek Drive, Dulles, VA 703-787-4000. Great selection (best we found anywhere in Northern Virginia). They don't sell to the public, your tile person has to purchase for you, but wonderful products.

    FIXTURES Ferguson 703-375-5800 13890 Lowe Street, Chantilly, VA

    SHOWER SURROUND Enclosures Unlimited Glass Co., Inc. 100 Glenn Drive, Sterling, VA 20164 703-450-5644
    Tommy (Great-Nephew of owner) was fantastic at explaining everything about the enclosures. They do frameless, semi frameless and framed. Family owned business, concise, good prices and honest! They have been in Sterling for more than 35 years (We checked out several others including Steling Glass - way to expensive and no real interest in doing the job and Dulles Glass and Mirror a bit cheaper price, but cheaper product!)

    GRANITE COUNTERTOP Flinstone Marble and Granite 21760 Beaumeade Circle, Ashburn, VA 571-223-2970. Good selection of remnant pieces - perfect for bathroom. Excellent prices, fast turnaround and clean install.

    We also installed 2 new toilets, powder room and master bath and went with Toto - they're not cheap, but oh so worth it. Can honestly say that we are in love with them! Went to Noland for that 6607 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22044
    703-241-5000. Eric Stegman was the sales rep and he was great.

    As with any remodeling, expect the unexpected. Wanted to go with one sconce between mirrors and found a vent pipe, so had to go with one over each mirror instead. Couldn't find a framed mirror in size we wanted, so had mirror cut and frame made for it. Little things can drive you crazy, so be prepared. We learned a lot along the way. Mainly what a poor job the builder did in the first place how they like to hide their trash inside the walls. We found tobacco pouches, drywall chunks, wood and general trash!

    Also look at lighting and how you want it placed. We went with recessed and sconces. Don't want to over or under do. If you decide to use different people for different things and need an electrician, Craig of Ashburn Electric is wonderful 703-858-7332. He is also a Broadlands resident.

    Hope this helps
     
  4. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    505
    Likes Received:
    2
    wow, great response. Thanks for the info.

    --- bump, let's get other inputs and build this thread for all to use ---
     
  5. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    0
    We just had a bathroom completely gutted and remodeled last week. Using Washington Consumers' Checkbook - checkbook.org, we found a fabulous company to do the entire job (Wacker Plumbing). They were highly rated (quality & price) and I must say we are very happy with their work. PM me if you'd like to drop by and see the new bathroom.
     
  6. bryty2000

    bryty2000 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2008
    Messages:
    114
    Likes Received:
    0
    Can the homeowners that have had their bathroom done give a ballpark figure as to how much a job cost. I'm looking to redo our master bath and was wondering what it will run us.
    has anyone had their toilet moved over a few feet?
     
  7. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    0
    We just had a small bathroom redone and no plumbing moved. 12K (8 day job) tile floor & shower was probably the costliest part of the job
     
  8. Echogirl

    Echogirl Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    6
    Ours was about 17K. No plumbing moved. Kept tub, gutted everything else. Tile, frameless shower surround and schluter system was the costliest. Granite (even though it was a remnant), new sub floor and Toto toilet also upped the cost. About 10 days total. Truly exceeded our expectations - we love it!
     
  9. quailpond06

    quailpond06 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2006
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    1
    Ray Gabler, OHI Design http://www.ohidesign.com/

    We got an estimate/design from him for our basement finishing, but I have friends who have done bathroom remodelling with him and LOVED working with him. Very professional.
     
    Ropiz58 likes this.
  10. jim

    jim New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    248
    Likes Received:
    2
    There was a good episode on "Holmes on Homes" on TLC this weekend on how not to do a bathroom remodel. You may still be able to catch it on rerun.

    -Jim
     
  11. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    505
    Likes Received:
    2
    thanks for the responses, anyone else have info to share?
     
  12. hells_bells

    hells_bells New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    bump. We're looking for one.
     
  13. sunnydog

    sunnydog New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    0
  14. hells_bells

    hells_bells New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0

    How did their prices compare to others?
     
  15. sunnydog

    sunnydog New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    0
    We received quotes from different contractors. While cost is definitely a factor what impressed me most about Home RX were these items:

    1. uses Tile Shop so any extra tile is returned for credit back to account.
    2. any items we buy on our own, like if I find a deal online, they remove from the line item on the contract and only charge for the install which was already in the bottom line.
    3. the separation of labor from materials helps alot in understanding the full cost.
    4. financing available from BB&T for one year no interest and then non accuring afterwards.
     
  16. sunnydog

    sunnydog New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2002
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    0
    I forgot to comment about OHI Designs. We recevied a quote from them and thought it was $10,000 too high. They also would not do a line item contract. Nor would they leave us the contract to ponder - if we did not sign it then they took it back. The cost per tile credit was under $4, too low. We asked about lowering costs by doing demo ourselves and they said "max you are saving 1,000". Not the right contractor for us.
     
  17. hells_bells

    hells_bells New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    to follow up, we used CMI Design Studio and the project went very well. I would recommend them but just make sure you get a full detailed description of the work (and final price) before you sign on with them.

    They gave us a price then at the very end threw on $750 for "tax". Not happy about that. But they did great work, showed up on time (every day for 3 weeks) and did everything they were supposed to.
     
  18. vawahoo

    vawahoo New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2004
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    2
    We are planning master bathroom remodel and starting to research contractors, design, materials, etc.

    Has anyone done a bathroom remodel recently? Which contractor, materials did you use? Are you happy with the results? Any lessons learned or things you would recommend?

    Thank you for your input.
     
  19. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    319
    Likes Received:
    24
    Okay, I'm hesitant to say it since so many people don't understand how to properly subcontract their work, but the simple answer is Craig Fear. You buy materials, you understand and work around his schedule, you pay him for his work. I'm talking about 2-3k per room/per week. People that are paying like $17k a bathroom are on crack. You either understand how to work with people or you pay 10x what the rest of us pay. Good luck.
     
    TeamDonzi likes this.
  20. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,280
    Likes Received:
    342
    So, we're out looking to do a master bathroom remodel as well. What we want done is:
    Shower( it's a large one with a seat in it): All new tile, new fixtures, new frameless 3/4 inch glass door.
    Jaccuzi tub: Redo all the tile around it and replace fixtures.
    Sinks: Replace tops with granite (double vanity with a lower make up counter in-between). Undermount ceramic sinks, replace fixtures. We're keeping existing cabinets.

    Received estimate from Abbey (in front of Sterling Costco) of $15,000.

    Not looking to be a general contractor or farming it all out. I want one stop shopping for this project. If there are any other recommendations on places to go, I'd like to hear them.
     

Share This Page