How Does an Exact Quote Help You Avoid Shower Remodel Cost Surprises?

For many homeowners, a price range can look wonderful, especially after first seeing the lower starting price. However, it’s rare for the cost to stay at the low end; it often moves into the higher price range (sometimes above it) when the work is done. In the end, too many homeowners feel deceived after paying far more than expected.

At Shugarman’s Bath, we have this conversation during our 500+ design consultations per month. We offer an exact, to-the-penny quote because it reduces the unknowns in your project cost, gives you a clear price, and shows what is and isn’t covered in your shower remodel.

In this article, you’ll learn what an exact quote is, how it can help reduce surprise shower remodel costs, why some contractors use price ranges, and what to compare before you sign a contract.

Table of Contents:

• What Is an Exact Quote for a Shower Remodel?
• What Value Does an Exact Quote Give You for Your Shower Remodel (and Bathroom)?
• Why Do Some Bathroom Contractors Provide Price Ranges for Remodel Costs?
• What Should You Look For When Comparing Shower Remodel Quotes?
• What a Strong Shower Remodel Quote Should Tell You

What Is an Exact Quote for a Shower Remodel?

An exact quote means you know exactly what your shower remodel will cost before the work starts. These quotes can be to the dollar or to the penny. Regardless of how the contractor gives the exact cost, you’ll know what you’re agreeing to before the project begins.

Most contractors will give a wide range for your project cost. An exact quote gives you a single number to review, making it easier to compare costs with other contractors.

What Value Does an Exact Quote Give You for Your Shower Remodel (and Bathroom)?

An exact quote is meant to provide peace of mind by removing as many unknowns as possible.

What does this mean? It means an exact quote can protect you from surprise costs that often show up after demolition begins. When the demolition phase of your remodel begins, hidden problems often surface as damage and necessary repairs. You’re paying for more labor, materials, and work. A strong, exact quote can help reduce that risk by accounting for such issues in your total project cost.

A full lifetime warranty can back an exact quote and make it stronger.

Keep in mind that not every contractor handles an exact quote the same way. Some contractors might have exclusions for certain types of repairs or conditions found behind the walls. They might surprise you with a change order that increases the project cost.

Surprise costs are why you always want to read the contract closely and understand what is and isn’t covered before you sign.

At Shugarman’s Bath, we cover many of the problems found behind the walls. That can include things like rotted materials, leaking plumbing, termite damage, and even rerouting electrical or gas lines when needed.

Read our Never Any Extras Guarantee to see what is (and isn’t) covered.

Why Do Some Bathroom Contractors Provide Price Ranges for Remodel Costs?

Many contractors provide price ranges because it allows them to adjust for issues found behind the walls. This means they can justify an increase to your project cost when they find issues such as hidden rot, subfloor damage, damaged joists, leaking plumbing, or other issues.

The low end of a project's cost range can be misleading. Some contractors take advantage of ranges to win jobs because homeowners hear the low number first and hope it will be their final cost. However, as we said before, it rarely works that way. Many of these projects can fall within the higher range (or exceed it).

Price ranges also apply when a contractor works on a time-and-materials basis, meaning the homeowner pays for labor hours, materials, and any additional repairs. This means the final cost can continue to grow as the project progresses.

Read exclusions in contracts when receiving price ranges. A contractor may leave out important work in the fine print. For example, some contracts state that the company is not responsible for hidden damage discovered behind the walls after demolition.

Here is some language you need to look for in remodeling contracts:

Don’t let a contractor catch you off guard during a consultation. Download our buyer’s guide so you know the questions to ask and the answers to look for.

What Should You Look For When Comparing Shower Remodel Quotes?

While it’s tempting to look only at pricing, a lower cost doesn’t always mean better value. You’re sacrificing something when you go for the lower number. Lower costs could come from exclusions, reused plumbing, shorter warranties, cheaper materials, or less support from your contractor after the job is completed. That’s why it’s necessary to ask what you get out of the price.

Look for what’s included in the scope of work, and check the following:

• If hidden damage adds to the price after the demo starts.
• Whether or not plumbing is included.
• What their warranty covers.
• If they can expect the final price to change after the contract is signed.

Make sure to compare the long-term value of each option as well. A lower cost today can mean you’re risking another remodel in a few years. On the other hand, a strong quote could mean a higher upfront cost but provide better materials and coverage.

What a Strong Shower Remodel Quote Should Tell You

A quote needs to do more than provide a cost. A low price range isn’t always a better deal. Your quote needs to show how a contractor handles pricing, if the final cost can change after demolition begins, and whether you’re taking on the most risk.

If a quote leaves out plumbing, hidden damage, warranty protection, or uses lower-quality materials, the “cheaper” option may cost you more in the end.

Now that you understand how an exact quote helps you, learn more about why cheaper remodeling costs can be more expensive later.

Ready to get an exact, to-the-penny quote? Schedule a free consultation with Shugarman’s Bath to get clear answers and see what a strong shower remodel quote actually covers.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.