Your Shower Remodel Cost: A To-the-Penny Quote vs a Price Range

When planning a tub or shower remodel, you face the number one question:

How much is this going to cost me?

Even when you receive a quote from most contractors, you won’t know your exact cost until your installation is done. They’ll often give price ranges, leaving you wondering how much you’ll be paying by the end of your project.

At Shugarman’s Bath, we complete over 500 design consultations every month. For each one, we provide a to-the-penny quote so homeowners know exactly what their project will cost before work begins. This experience has shown us how different pricing models can impact both your budget and your peace of mind.

In this article, you’ll learn the difference between a to-the-penny quote and a price range, why contractors use each approach, and how to decide which option is best for your shower remodel.

Table of Contents:

• What Is a “To-the-Penny” Shower Remodel Quote?
• How Can an Exact Quote Protect You From Surprise Remodeling Costs?
• How Can a Contractor Provide an Exact Cost for a Shower Remodel?
• Why Do Many Contractors Give Cost Ranges Instead of Exact Remodeling Quotes?
• Where Do Extra Costs Usually Come From During a Shower Remodel?
  
• How Do Exact Quotes and Price Ranges Compare? (Table)
  
• What Should You Ask Before Accepting Any Shower Remodel Quote?
• Which Type of Shower Remodel Quote Is Right for You?

What Is a “To-the-Penny” Shower Remodel Quote?

A “to-the-penny” quote means you receive the exact cost for your shower remodel before installation day. It’s the dollar amount you agree to before work begins. Keep in mind that not all contractors give a quote to the penny. Instead, they may go down to the dollar.

Everything, such as materials and labor, is included in this type of quote. Depending on the contractor, a to-the-penny quote may also include covering issues found behind your shower walls.

At Shugarman’s Bath, our to-the-penny quotes also include issues found behind the walls in the tub and shower area, though exceptions may apply.

How Can an Exact Quote Protect You From Surprise Remodeling Costs?

With an exact quote, the contractor is responsible for staying within the agreed price. A contractor could decide to issue change orders that increase your project cost, but that looks bad for their business.

A to-the-penny quote gives you:

• Clear expectations for your tub and shower remodel project.
• Fewer cost-related change orders.
• Transparency on how much you’re spending.

With an exact quote, you have certainty. The risk shifts away from you and goes toward the contractor.

How Can a Contractor Provide an Exact Cost for a Shower Remodel?

To provide an exact cost, a contractor needs to understand what could be behind the walls.

Even though they can’t see behind the walls in the tub and shower area, they should have enough experience to understand common problems encountered during demolition, grasp worst-case scenarios, and use a pricing system that accounts for labor, materials, and repairs.

Why Do Many Contractors Give Cost Ranges Instead of Exact Remodeling Quotes?

Many contractors choose to provide price ranges because their contracts include disclaimers that permit cost changes later. Some contractors will also use ranges to stay competitive. A lower starting number can make a quote look more appealing to most homeowners, even if the final cost ends up much higher once the work begins.

When you sign a contract with a price range, it will include language allowing the contractor to adjust the price. Because of the language used, you won’t know the true cost of your project until it’s well underway.

This is some of the language you may see in remodeling contracts:

Where Do Extra Costs Usually Come From During a Shower Remodel?

Extra costs are typically added during the demolition phase of a shower remodel. Once the demolition phase begins and the walls are open, contractors can identify problems that need to be fixed and issue change orders to cover the added work.

Common examples include:

• Fixing damaged or leaking plumbing.
• Replacing rot or structural damage in the framing or subfloor.
• Moving electrical or gas lines.
• Repairs from moisture damage behind the tub and shower area.

These are not small fixes since they require more labor and materials. From there, you have to decide whether to approve the extra cost mid-project. You may also have to deal with potential project delays.

How Do Exact Quotes and Price Ranges Compare? (Table)

What Should You Ask Before Accepting Any Shower Remodel Quote?

No matter how a quote is presented to you, here’s what you need to ask contractors:

• What is included in this quote?
• What could cause the price to change?
• How are change orders handled?
• What happens if issues are found behind the walls?
• What does your warranty cover?
• Will you replace or reuse existing plumbing?

These questions will help you understand how the contractor handles risk, pricing, and unexpected issues.

Download our buyer’s guide to understand the questions to ask and what answers to look for during a design consultation.

Which Type of Shower Remodel Quote Is Right for You?

Having an exact cost before your tub or shower remodel begins should give you the transparency you need. A price range might look better upfront, but you can expect your price to change once the walls open up.

Don’t be caught off guard by how a contractor handles pricing and how they charge for issues behind the walls. Make sure you know who’s taking on more risk when you receive a quote.

Now that you understand how exact quotes and price ranges work, read more about Shugarman’s Bath. On top of offering a to-the-penny quote, learn about how Shugarman’s Bath handles change orders if there is a change to your contract.

Want to plan your tub and shower remodel and get an exact cost? Schedule a free consultation with Shugarman’s Bath today!

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.