man hours to remodel a small bathroom - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 05-26-2007, 08:46 PM

I have three bathroom remodel jobs on the books and estimated the number of hours for each job and submitted the proposal's and was accepted. My question is...has anyone tracked some small bathroom remodel jobs and can provide feedback on total number of hours involved? These bathrooms are of the 6x9 flavor with an old iron tub, lavatory, sink with just a little flooring repair, new vinyl, 1 piece and everything else new including base, case, paint and light.

A.W.Davis · 05-26-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

I have three bathroom remodel jobs on the books and estimated the number of hours for each job and submitted the proposal's and was accepted. My question is...has anyone tracked some small bathroom remodel jobs and can provide feedback on total number of hours involved? These bathrooms are of the 6x9 flavor with an old iron tub, lavatory, sink with just a little flooring repair, new vinyl, 1 piece and everything else new including base, case, paint and light.

Man theres so many variables involved in the equation to give a good answer IMO

do you have to relocate any waste or water lines, what about electrical...is there access in the attic for electrical junctions. What about sheetrock repairs, are you performing these tasks or are you subbing that to others?

72chevy4x4 · 05-27-2007, 06:10 AM

I know there can be so many variables-like sheetrock work after the tub comes out. For the most part, small patches on the wall and nothing is getting 'moved'-just straight hook ups. I'm changing out the light fixture, but not changing the wiring. these are basic jobs, nothing fancy.

thom · 05-27-2007, 07:20 AM

Remove/replace tub? what kind of tub goes out, then in? Access?
Remove/replace flooring? what goes out, what goes in?
Remove/replace sink or vanity? what goes out, what goes in?
Remove/replace window?
Remove/replace fan?
Remove/replace wall finishes and tub surrounds? out and in?

We've done gut and replace in a week, including replacing a window, but that's pushing it. We did everything in house so there was no waiting for subs.

A.W.Davis · 05-27-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thom

We've done gut and replace in a week, including replacing a window, but that's pushing it. We did everything in house so there was no waiting for subs.

One week.....wow thats amazing!! I am not doubting your abilities at all, just amazed!!

It usually takes me on average at least 1/2 day of demo, 1/2 day of plumbing relocation, 1/2 day of electrical relocation 2 days to rehang rock, tape and texture on small bathroom jobs, then if theres tile everywhere no way will it be completed in 5 days. And lets not forget about setting the tub, setting the vanity cabinets, hanging the light fixtures, baseboard, blahh blahh blahh.

When it's all said and done I usually finish an averaged size bathroom (8'x8') in roughly 3-4 weeks if I didnt come across any unforseen issues such as dry rot or whatever else. I guess I am slow but it doesnt bother me.

72chevy4x4 · 05-27-2007, 10:21 AM

I'll followup and post hwo long it takes for the record. What size crew were you guys using? I'm sure a teardown to the studs and rebuilding entire bath as well as tile, it would take a much longer time. Maybe it would be better to call this a 'facelift' then a remodel

A.W.Davis · 05-27-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

I'll followup and post hwo long it takes for the record. What size crew were you guys using? I'm sure a teardown to the studs and rebuilding entire bath as well as tile, it would take a much longer time. Maybe it would be better to call this a 'facelift' then a remodel

I do everything myself.....it seems to be the most efficient way in a bathroom.....any more than 2 it gets crowded really fast!!

However I do sub all of the sheetrock work out always

It sounds to me that "facelift" would be a better word for your application

thom · 05-27-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.W.Davis

One week.....wow thats amazing!! I am not doubting your abilities at all, just amazed!!

It usually takes me on average at least 1/2 day of demo, 1/2 day of plumbing relocation, 1/2 day of electrical relocation 2 days to rehang rock, tape and texture on small bathroom jobs, then if theres tile everywhere no way will it be completed in 5 days. And lets not forget about setting the tub, setting the vanity cabinets, hanging the light fixtures, baseboard, blahh blahh blahh.

When it's all said and done I usually finish an averaged size bathroom (8'x8') in roughly 3-4 weeks if I didnt come across any unforseen issues such as dry rot or whatever else. I guess I am slow but it doesnt bother me.

I figure 1/2 day tear-out, plumbing relocated and tub in place,

Window, framing repairs, electric second day.

Sheetrock, tile backer, first coat mud third day,

Wall tile, second, third coats mud forth day

Paint, flooring, set commode, and vanity/top fifth day

First day is long, second and third fairly easy, forth full and fifth long.

Work with one othe guy, a laborer. I'm licensed and quite competent as a GC, Plumbing Contractor, Electrical Contractor and a few more, And, I work fast.

We did a major truck stop remodel that included relocating the fueling desk to the opposite end of the area (about 150'). We had to move fueling controlls, scale controlls, credit card system, networked computer system, phones, the whole thing, in a business that never stops. Their engineer gave me 1/2 hour window during which we could have them shut down. They were up and running in 20 minutes. Afterwards he told me they had never completed one with a shut down of less than 2 hours. He said he didn't believe it was possible to do it in an hour or less before seeing us do it in 20 minutes.

nywoodwizard · 05-28-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thom

I figure 1/2 day tear-out, plumbing relocated and tub in place,

Window, framing repairs, electric second day.

Sheetrock, tile backer, first coat mud third day,

Wall tile, second, third coats mud forth day

Paint, flooring, set commode, and vanity/top fifth day

First day is long, second and third fairly easy, forth full and fifth long.

Work with one othe guy, a laborer. I'm licensed and quite competent as a GC, Plumbing Contractor, Electrical Contractor and a few more, And, I work fast.

We did a major truck stop remodel that included relocating the fueling desk to the opposite end of the area (about 150'). We had to move fueling controlls, scale controlls, credit card system, networked computer system, phones, the whole thing, in a business that never stops. Their engineer gave me 1/2 hour window during which we could have them shut down. They were up and running in 20 minutes. Afterwards he told me they had never completed one with a shut down of less than 2 hours. He said he didn't believe it was possible to do it in an hour or less before seeing us do it in 20 minutes.

Thats a fair timetable but even with a small window and electric we would be sheetrocking and installing the concrete backer board on the second day,we'll split up if the window needs to be replaced,one in one out.tile can be started third day and finished the following morning if needed.The tile is the key ,get it down as quickly as posible so it can be walked on as soon as posible.5 days is very reasonable,thats not counting other variables severe water damage to framing or floor,extensive plumbing relocation,elaborate tile work,skylights,vaulting and so on.and of course if all the tradesmen show up when there suppose to.

mdshunk · 05-28-2007, 03:32 PM

I'm not sure what the definition of a "small" bathroom is, but I generally allow 10 man-hours of electrical work for a second-story bathroom in an older home (2 men, 5 hours). This is considering pulling new circuit from the panel, vanity light, GFCI or two, fan/light unit, and venting the fan by some means. Add 1-1/2 man-hours for jetted tub. Less time when walls are stripped, and even less if existing fan venting means exists.

Greg Di · 05-28-2007, 03:59 PM

Man, I guess no one has to stop to wait for inspections. Around me, that can make us lose a week!

Theoretically, a full gut 5 x 7 bath could be a 5 day job, but in my world, it's 5 days of work spread out over three weeks from demo to final paint and punch out.

tom m · 06-07-2007, 07:27 PM

Greg thats exactly how it would spread out. The question is how many of us figure 5 days that turn into 3 weeks. Thats what hurts. You know you have to have multiple jobs going due to down time at a location but time always gets lost. Sometimes that other job isnt working out the way you hoped either. There should be a minimum of 35% profit on this type of job for this very reason.

**Teetorbilt** · 06-07-2007, 09:29 PM

Baths are the worst bid to do because you never know what you will run into.

My worst was stucco over wood exterior wall bumpout for a shower stall. Nothing was done right. Rot started at the bottom and then termites took over.

Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne took full advantage, collapsed the wall and pressurised the house causing the sliders to blow out causing major water damage.

Funny what damage only ONE small leak can do.

dayspring · 06-08-2007, 07:22 AM

How long to remodel a small bath? We just done one. We did not gut to studs. We did remove shower stall, install drywall, texture and paint. Removed old tile and installed new flooring, relocated plumbing for vanity, clawfoot tub, and toilet. Installed all with fixtures. Relocated vanity light and outlet. Installed new base and shoe, etc. Myself and my helper, it took us about 2, 40 hr weeks to complete We did do some additional work in the closet during this time. Size of bath was 8 x 11

send_it_all · 06-08-2007, 09:44 AM

I've done several bath remodels using just myself and a helper and it has taken between two and three full working weeks each time. I'm in the middle of my first using subs. Plaster walls were gutted to studs and bare slab, then all debris was removed in a huge F-150 load to dump on Monday. Sparky came tuesday did all wiring, 3 cans, and set fan in 6 hours, plumber came wednesday and set tub, roughed in shower valve, raised toilet supply for base clearance, and installed bullets (copper stub outs) for toilet and sink...all in about 4 hours. Called for inspection wasnt able to get one until today..(which I'm leaving for in a few minutes)...drywall will be first thing next week...(one day to hang, tape and texture according to drywall sub), tile guy comes tuesday....I fugure 2 and a half working weeks for this one. If all keeps going smoothly....nice profit.