RE-BATH Or BATH FITTER Anyone See Bad Jobs Or Bad Experiences???

sales guy

Like I have said, I can't speak for bath fitter, and what other re-bath franchises do or don't do. But as far as a cast iron tub next to an acrylic one. I'll bet you cannot tell them apart until you knock on the side of each one.

Tom F.

I have no real opinion about the main argument of this thread. They are two different products, for different applications. However, I'll have to say that I am constantly surprised when my potential customers cannot tell the difference between the $1500 Kohler cast iron tubs I put in my spec houses, and the cheapos from HD. I always point it out if I am there when they show, but I bet my realtors don't see the difference, either.

Of course, most of my customers and realtors dont' see why I put premium quality (read expensive) windows and doors in spec houses either. I 'd like to think that someday they'll understand, and that will be just one more reason to call me for that big custom job.

Tom

Easy To Point

I know that there are differences in products, be it liners or lumber - and especially from where you purchase materials (as some carry poor quality).
It should be part of any successful contractor to point out these differences. As such, I would imagine some posters would accept that there may be some quality liner companies out there who are not selling cheap big box cover ups. For an industry ranked so high in customer complaints we don't need to add to the list. (tell your story, don't throw everyone else under the bus)
I have seen tons of bathroom remodels over the years and I have seen some fantastic looking liners. (and yes some that look like hammered dog crap). But I have never worked long for a guy who can't stand on his OWN merits.

ElementKitchen

I can say I have never seen a retro-fitted bath fitter bathroom, though I have seen their commercials and get brochures in the mail. It seems like they are glorified cover-uppers. All of the mold and the rot that likes to decay the cracks in old tile just get covered up by a (probably flimsy) plastic covering.

I'd say if your customers entertained bathfitters - they are probably on the cheap side & not looking for quality work but just a new look. I'd play with your price and explain that bathfitter work is just cosmetic & will most likely decay within a year or 2.

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Jayrek

bad jobs?-Try all of them.

To sales guy, I am not running down the competition. You are not even in my league. You are not in the same sport. You are in the business of ripping off senior citizens, and HO's that dont know any better. I work with stone, you work with plastic. I saw one of your quotes , (I got the job, your hacks, and ilk did not) YOU BELONG IN PRISON!!!

I will go up against your product and any one of your crews any time.

fez-head

There will always be a market for products like Re-bath just as there is for everything else under the sun. Some clients want the very best of everything and some just want better than what they have right now.

With all of the bitching and whining on here about the "so called" competition - I figured that you would be happy that he is selling Re-baths instead of horning in on your nitch market. - we can't ALL serve the same clients. This man claims to be running a legitimate company to boot so whats the real problem here? Other than the supposed cover ups and conspiracy theory's about this man and the company he represents.

jarvis design

I have been in the bathroom remodelling business for over 20 years. It amazes me that people will spend $3-4k on a plastic cover.

It also amazes me that some of these companies (including bath-fitter) will claim that their product is the "same" as a real acrylic tub.

Most liner companies DO NOT use the same acrylic sheet (cross linked), although I have heard that some do.

I also run a business that repairs acrylic and fibreglass tubs/showers and can tell you first hand that liners are not the same! The thinners I use as a reducer and wipe will MELT most tub liners. I can pour these thinners on acrylic and fibreglass with no problem.

That being said, I will say that I have seen quite a few bath-fitter installs and they do a good job of installing their product. They are also very adept at marketing their product.

As a contractor, it is my job to educate the customer with the information they need to make an informed choice.

We install quality acrylic tubs (which by the way are deeper than old tubs with liners) set in concrete, new drain and p-trap, new valve with integral shut-offs, concrete board, kerdi waterproof membrane, tile (with recessed soap/shampoo niche), and epoxy grout.

My price is definately a little higher than liners, but, the end result is an installation that looks way better, is easier to maintain, will definately last a "lifetime", and will hold its value.

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Beater82

I'm picking up some repair work on a rental in the ghetto. The showerpan is rusted and I figured maybe having a Rebath drop a liner in might be the quick, cheap way to go but I haven't got a price on it yet. I'll call them in the morning. If I'm looking at $1000+ for a piece of plastic getting glued in I might as well yank the pan and install an acrylic unit.

tyler durden

rebath is total junk. You can tell them i said it.

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adwilk

This thread cracks me up... I have a lot of experience with BCI, Re-Bath, and Bath-Fitter. I have visited all the facilities and looked into a viable secondary business with all of them a couple years ago. I didnt do it. That said, those three major players in the "liner" industry are more than just "Plastic" coverups. They offer lifetime material and labor warranties, one day installations, and a pretty decent price. The margins are high, but they spend a ton in advertising.

OK... blah blah blah.. Said all that to say this. For you bathroom contractors, it would be good for you to learn as much about these companies as you can. they constantly rank high in entrepreneur mags and they are still gaining serious traction. They use BRUTAL sales techniques and their materials have improved. They are gonna be tough to compete against and the customer base for the mid-level contractor and these companies are beginning to overlap. They have excellent sales systems and if they are in the house after you, good luck. They have a lot of ammo to kick the contractor out unless the customer is focused on "price" in which case you're not getting the job anyway.

I have copies of the sales systems, and business tactics is anybody wants more info...

Mike Finley

Appreciate the sentiments, but if you are in our industry instead of looking at them as a 2nd business, you'd know that the ugly truth of them is how they actually do the work. No permits, no licensed plumbers etc... etc... etc...

Excellent sales systems don't mean anything unless they are a liner customer to begin with.

Most customers are not liner customers. Put a non-liner customer with a liner salesman or a remodeling contractor and now we are talking apples and apples.

Making blanket statements about how much competition they are is assuming most consumers are all liner customers, which they aren't. The reality is few are.

The liner system does not address the typical bath customers needs.

The liner system is a very targeted, select and niche solution.

No different is the comparision to saying a bathtub refinisher/resurfacer is going to be tough competition for a plumber who replaces bathtubs.

The two are not the same thing and serve very different customers.

adwilk

I respectfully disagree, Mike. The new ad campaigns are designed to avoid the "liner" or quick fix solution insight. In fact, most of these companies are beginning to stray from the tub liners and are doing acrylic replacement tubs. Most jobs in my area are fiberglass tearouts in which replacement is inevitable anyways.

With the new approach in advertising and push in "free consultation" techniques, more customers than you think are having them out. The sales guy will almost ALWAYS run into customers that are considering the "contractor" but AREN'T liner people because they dont know what a liner is. These people are SOLD. Trust me on that. And its aggressive and they have taken some of your customers... I guarantee it.

adwilk

now for somebody looking for a true remodel, changing the room, they dont fit that category. This is a difference of want to remodel, or need to remodel. These companies have targeted the "need" group.

silvertree

I sold a few BCI liners when I owned a kitchen reface franchise, yes its different and because I didn't need to sell them and because I am a remodeler I sold 3 and stopped. I was concerned with the call back issue and didn't have time or the attitude "to slam the mooches".
I would be interested in seeing the techniques you are telling us about.

paul@silvertreeconstruction.com

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adwilk

Email sent

fez-head

I would love to get my hands on a copy of those sales systems and business tactics - guerilla warfare is what has gotten my company to this point.

Like I have said in the past "Thank you for paving the way franchise guys!"

email@midmohandyman.com

fez-head

You have the most impressive website that I have ever had the pleasure to visit.

adwilk

Thank you, Jesse. I really appreciate that... I'll be sure to share that with everyone else here in Nixa...

Jayrek

You belong in Gitmo. The waterboarding gitmo.
You mold covering terrorist.

silvertree

Yep, that website is really well done, and high end.

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