Are There Hidden Costs For My Tub or Shower Remodel?

You’ve likely heard some version of this horror story when it comes to home improvement contractors.

“I hired this company that told me one price. I thought it was affordable, then suddenly the price skyrocketed for a slew of reasons.”

This isn’t unique to tub-and-shower remodelers, either. It doesn’t help that finding cost information for these projects feels next to impossible. 

Not being able to find cost details isn’t your fault or anyone else's. The industry wants to keep this information hidden from you. Because of this, you have to work harder to get bare bones facts. 

Shugarman’s Bath knows all too well that the industry isn’t transparent enough. As tub and shower remodeling specialists, we know the hidden costs that burden homeowners in our trade. We’ve seen the frustration homeowners experience when they’re stuck paying more than they expected. This is why we make sure our quotes are right the first time during our consultations. 

In this article, you’ll learn why hidden costs show up with tub and shower remodels, what contractors tend to charge extra for, and ways to better protect yourself before ever signing a contract. We’ll also show you what reliable companies do differently, so you are free from surprise charges.

Why You Have Good Reason to Worry About Hidden Costs

In any home improvement project, contractors are notorious for increasing their prices during the project. The same goes for tub and shower remodeling, unfortunately. What’s even more unfortunate is that many contractors don’t care to give you clear information. 

Good-quality tub and shower remodels tend to cost more due to higher-quality materials, expert labor, and wall reconstruction behind the shower area. 

Remodeling Also Includes What’s Behind Shower Walls

The biggest unknown in any tub or shower remodel (let alone a full bathroom remodel) is what’s behind the walls. When demolition begins, surprises show their ugly faces. That’s when some companies tend to add new charges.

A reliable contractor will thoroughly explain these possibilities upfront so you aren’t thrown off. The best contractors work to make sure to guarantee you don’t have to pay any extra, regardless of what’s behind those walls. 

So, Where Do Contractors Tend to Charge Higher Costs?

Here are common reasons contractors tend to add more to the cost later.

Mold and Mildew

Think about it. Your tub or shower is hit with water just about daily. If you have tile, grout is porous and holds water. That water also seeps into open spaces, sits there in the dark, and lets mold and mildew cause a ruckus. This might not be part of the initial quote, which causes the cost to add up fast, especially if the contractor doesn’t do mold remediation.

Note: Most contractors don’t do mold remediation since it requires a special certification to do it properly.

Rotten or Damaged Wood

Long-term leaks can damage studs, subflooring, or framing. Some contractors charge by the foot or by each board they replace.

Termite or Pest Damage

Wood and areas behind the wall are damaged by pests, which can lead to higher repair costs. And if you have live pests, you might have to hire an extermination company before the remodel continues. This can lead to extra charges. 

Oh, and expect delays on your project.

Plumbing Issues

Contractors may find older pipes, mismatched materials, or valves that need to be updated. Some companies upcharge when they discover different plumbing materials than they typically use. They might treat it as an “upgrade” to their plumbing, or an “added service.”

“Unforeseen Conditions” or Similar Wording in a Contract

This can mean just about anything. Many contracts use vague terms like “unforeseen conditions,” “as needed,” “potential issues,” and similar phrasing. These phrases don’t mean much on the surface. However, the way those terms are put in a contract could allow contractors to charge just about anything once the demo begins. 

Can I Protect Myself From Hidden Costs?

You shouldn’t be surprised by additional charges after your first quote. You shouldn’t have a change order surprise you. 

Where some contractors “might not make enough” from the original contract, that’s where the change orders come in. Change orders are where they make their profits. Where the original contract gets them the small boat, they get the big boat with the change orders. 

Here are methods that put you on the right track to protecting yourself from hidden costs.

Ask the right questions

Don’t feel bad if you’re unsure about what to ask a contractor during a consultation. There are plenty in the home improvement industry that would prefer you not know. They’re chompin’ at the bit, thinking they can take advantage of you. 

Because of this, we want you to ask the right questions to see how a contractor answers. We want you to know what to ask to help you avoid hidden costs.

So, what are the right questions to ask? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with questions to ask a contractor.

Here are the questions to ask:

• Is the price on your bid a rough estimate or a guaranteed final price?

• Under what circumstances could my price change?

• Is your warranty in writing, and is it attached to your contract?

• Is all the plumbing in the tub and shower area under warranty for life, or just the valve?

• Do you guarantee your sealant for as long as I live in the home?

• How long do you guarantee the waterproofing in your wall system?

• Do you use subcontractors?
  
  
• What happens if you discover mold after taking out my old tub or shower?

Okay, so you know what to ask. But why these questions? For more information about each of these questions to ask and the answers you need, we highly recommend downloading our FREE Tub and Shower Remodel Buyer’s Guide. You get to save all of this information and have it in your arsenal during your consultation. 

Your consultations should be honest and transparent

See what a consultant is willing to tell you. Some consultants will avoid talking about subjects, like what’s behind the walls. And goodness, how they may react if you press them about the cost and pricing! 

A great remodeler will not only be able to walk you through the pricing, but also the step-by-step tub and shower installation process.

If you feel like a consultant is dodging or incapable of being transparent with you, we recommend looking at other contractors (putting it lightly).

Review your contract (especially the exclusions)

Hidden costs creep their way into the “exclusions” portion of the contract. Look for the vague language that would give your contractor an excuse to charge more later. 

Some of the language in these contracts is deliberately difficult to read or interpret. If the exclusions are written to be long, unclear, full of legal jargon, and with loopholes, take it as a warning sign. They’re likely leaving room to:

• Charge more later for their unclear pricing 
• Protect themselves instead of looking out for you.
• Add fees for surprises behind your walls.
• Make sure you have no idea what is and isn’t included in your tub or shower remodel.

Here’s some verbiage to be wary of:

Good Tub and Shower Contractors Price Right The First Time

There’s no good excuse for a contractor to hit you with hidden costs, especially in this day and age.

With full transparency, they should be able to clearly explain pricing, contracts, and the installation process. So when issues like mold, damaged wood, or rotten wood appear, you shouldn’t be hit with a charge you didn’t know existed. Any good company will be able to tell you how they handle these situations. 

A good quote should be able to tell you:

• What’s included
• What’s not included
• What happens if something unexpected is found
• Whether the price is really the final price
• Who handles warranty issues, and how

Will Shugarman’s Bath Hit Me With Hidden Costs?

Short answer: No.

At Shugarman’s Bath, we’re all about educating you first. We’ve also designed our process so that you never have the fear of hidden costs creeping into the back of your mind.

Our Never Any Extras Guarantee

We make it so the price you see the first time is the price you see the last time (unless you decide to modify your tub or shower). Mold, rotten wood, or damaged plumbing are covered in our Never Any Extras Guarantee. 

Fair Handling of Pest Issues

If we find live termites or rodents in the walls of the tub or shower area, we’ll pause the project so you can have them treated. We won’t charge you for the delays. And when everything is good, we’ll continue with your installation.

Industry-Leading Warranty Protection

Most homeowners don’t think about warranties until they need them. 

Some contractors pass warranty coverages onto manufacturers, aka a manufacturer's warranty. That, or the extent of their coverage is “one-time use.” 

Not to brag or anything (just a little), but our warranties are built so you never have to worry about your tub or shower again. Our warranty is designed to provide you with long-lasting protection for a lifetime, so long as you own the home. All service is handled in-house. Not passed off to the manufacturer.

Plus, we have the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. The Good Housekeeping Seal is a trusted third-party guarantee that our products meet stringent quality standards. If something were deemed defective and the issue wasn’t addressed, Good Housekeeping would refund the cost up to $2,000 or replace the item at its discretion.

Choose a Tub and Shower Contractor That Prices Right the First Time

For years, contractors in the home improvement industry have had unclear pricing, vague contracts, and hidden costs that catch homeowners off guard, like deer in headlights. The same can be said for tub and shower remodelers. 

Fortunately, you now understand where hidden costs come from and the steps you can take to better protect yourself. 

Next, read our article on recommendations to better financially protect yourself when hiring a contractor.

Finally, schedule a FREE consultation with Shugarman’s Bath for your next tub or shower remodel, without hidden costs to surprise you!