Why Does a Shugarman's Bath Shower Remodel Cost More Than Other Bids?

You’ve seen bids from other contractors. After getting a bid from us or looking at our pricing page, Shugarman’s Bath comes in higher. And you’re here wondering what goes into our pricing.

After 6,000 tub and shower remodels, we know exactly what it takes to do a project right. We don’t cut corners and always do our best to do right by our customers. Our pricing reflects the materials we use, the installers we hire, and the quality of care you receive during and after your remodel.

This article breaks down the factors that drive the cost of a Shugarman's Bath shower remodel. That way, you can decide whether what we include is worth the cost difference.

Table of Contents:

• What Makes a Shugarman’s Bath Remodel Cost More?
• Why Does a 1-2 Day Install Cost So Much?
• What Materials Are Used for a Shower Remodel?
• Why Does Skilled Labor Factor Into the Price?

• Does Your Warranty Factor Into the Shower Remodel Price?

• Does Your Guarantee Factor Into the Shower Remodel Price?

• Are There Cheaper Options Out There?

What Makes a Shugarman's Bath Remodel Cost More?

The cost of a shower remodel with Shugarman's Bath typically ranges from $12,500 to $22,000+, with an average project cost of around $16,500. The cost depends on the scope of the tub or shower area, the project's complexity, and the accessories and features added. Bigger spaces require more materials.

That price includes in-house labor, premium materials, proper waterproofing, and a lifetime warranty on both materials and labor.

Why Does a 1-2 Day Install Cost So Much?

That speed and efficiency come from highly experienced teams that have undergone specialized training and mastered all components of the job. They have refined the process after over 6,000 tub and shower installations.

The 1-2-day installation is the visible part of the project. However, much of the work happens before an installer sets foot in your home.

Before installation day, every project starts with detailed measuring and design work. From there, materials are ordered, tracked, received, and inspected before being stored and organized for installation day.

Multiple rounds of contract review are conducted to make sure every detail of your project is correct. An entire team has already done its part to make sure the job runs smoothly and efficiently before your installer arrives.

What Materials Are Used for a Shower Remodel?

Shugarman's Bath uses moisture-resistant backer boards, commercial-grade valves and cartridges, Type L copper piping, non-porous wall systems, and high-grade silicone.

The surface walls, tubs, and bases are made of BP-Cor2, a non-porous material designed for tub and shower areas. It’s built to be flexible and long-lasting.

Our true lifetime warranty backs all of these materials and labor.

Why Does Skilled Labor Factor Into the Price?

California carries some of the highest labor costs, insurance requirements, and safety standards in the country.

Shugarman's Bath installers are highly trained specialists who focus exclusively on tub and shower remodeling. Every installer is a direct employee of Shugarman's Bath. They perform the same type of installation every day. That repetition builds real mastery of their craft.

Many of Shugarman's Bath installers have been with the company for 5 or more years. By doing the same type of installation every day, they are masters of their craft. With a low turnover rate, the person coming into your home isn’t learning on the job.

To keep that team in place, Shugarman's Bath pays top of the market. A well-paid, experienced installer who has done this hundreds of times produces better results than someone brand new to the work.

Shugarman's Bath holds a B-General Building license and a C36 Plumbing license (CSLB #1060677). The C36 Plumbing license shows that our team has demonstrated expertise in plumbing work in your tub and shower area. We're also IICRC-certified to handle mold. If we find it during the demo, our installers remove it on the spot. That way, you don't have to hire a separate company.

Does Your Warranty Factor Into the Shower Remodel Price?

Yes, because we offer a true lifetime warranty on the work after installation.

In the home improvement industry, many contractors’ warranties cover the product but not the installation, exclude plumbing or silicone entirely, or become void after a single service visit.

Shugarman's Bath covers materials and labor for life, including silicone replacement every 5 years, valves, cartridges, and any in-wall plumbing we install. We fix leaks, material issues, or workmanship problems.

If you ever need work done in your tub and shower area after installation, call Shugarman's Bath. Our in-house service department responds within one business day.

Does Your Guarantee Factor Into the Shower Remodel Price?

Our Never Any Extras Guarantee does not factor into your shower remodel price. Having the guarantee has never been a pricing decision. It's how we do business.

Some contractors use a low bid as a strategy to win the job. By the time demolition starts and problems are found behind your walls, you're already locked into the project. They’ll issue change orders that add to the project cost. By the time the job is done, you've spent more than a higher bid would have cost from the start.

Most contractors leave language in their contracts that allows them to charge extra if they find something “unforeseen” during your project. For example, a contractor demos your old tub and shower area and finds rotted wood. They would charge to replace the damaged wood. By that point, your old tub or shower is already gone. You have to accept the added cost for your remodel to move forward.

We know what to expect behind the walls, especially after 6,000 tub-and-shower remodels. Handling repairs as we find them is just how we work. The Never Any Extras Guarantee exists because stopping mid-job to negotiate a change order doesn't save anyone time or money. You should never have to worry about surprise charges midway through your remodel.

The Never Any Extras Guarantee covers damaged or rotted wall studs, subfloor damage and leveling, plumbing leaks inside the tub and shower area, mold removal, termite-damaged wood framing, and hidden electrical that needs to be moved. Read the Never Any Extras Guarantee document to see what is and isn’t covered.

Are There Cheaper Options Out There?

You can always find projects for $8,000 or less. The question you need to ask when going for a lower price is this: What am I willing to give up?

Home improvement is one of the industries where you get what you pay for. Lower bids often come with lower-grade materials that wear out sooner, limited or zero warranty, no protection against what gets found behind your walls during demo, or a mixture of all three.

Some contractors cut corners on waterproofing or use unlicensed labor to keep their prices down. In many cases, homeowners end up remodeling the same space again within a few years.

Here are a few scenarios that play out often with cheaper contractors:

• The old pipes fail. A contractor installs a new valve but leaves your existing pipes in place. The contractor only warrants what they install, meaning the old pipes aren't their problem. When those old pipes fail, they aren’t covered under the contractor’s warranty. They claim it’s not their issue since they didn’t cause the problem. You end up tearing out your new walls at your own expense to get to the problem.
• The mold adds thousands to your bill. A contractor finds mold behind your walls during demo. They aren't certified to remove it, so they stop the project and tell you to hire a mold remediation company. That typically costs thousands more out of pocket, and your project can't move forward until it's done.
• The waterproofing fails. A contractor uses the wrong backer board or skips proper waterproofing steps. Water seeps behind your walls over time. By the time you notice, the structural damage has been done.
• The change orders add up. A contractor will sometimes quote low to win the job. Once demolition starts, they find issues behind the walls and issue change orders, resulting in a total project cost increase. By the time the job is done, you've spent more than a higher bid would have cost from the start.
• You remodel the same space twice. The most expensive remodel is the one you have to pay for twice. Low-grade materials wear out faster. That, or the contractor didn’t install the materials correctly. Either way, you're eventually scheduling another remodel.

If the upfront cost is a concern, Shugarman's Bath offers payment plans starting at $140 per month, as well as a 12-month, no-interest, no-payment option. A design consultant will walk you through every option when they build your to-the-penny quote.

Does a Shugarman's Bath Shower Remodel Justify the Cost?

A lower bid doesn’t mean you’re getting a better deal. The price decrease likely means you’re sacrificing something. Our pricing includes premium materials, a true lifetime warranty, and high-quality tub-and-shower remodel work.

Now that you understand why we might be higher than other bids, learn about our shower remodeling qualifications. You can also read our article on the financing options Shugarman’s Bath offers.

Contact Shugarman’s Bath if you have other questions about the cost of your tub or shower remodel.

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.