Remodel Advice

Fuzzycram

So check this out. I have a small bathroom that is just a basic tub and shower with tile surround. It has 8' ceilings except for where the tub is. The tub's ceiling has a dropped soffit of like 14 inches or so and then there is tile on the ceiling of that soffit. The home owner doesn't want to replace all the tile, and was asking if we thought that a one piece tub and shower unit would look good in that space? I doubt it would reach the soffit.. I am guessing there would be like 4-6 inches of wall left after the insert is installed, and then there is the tile on the ceiling.. what would be your suggestion to the home owner to do in this space?

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firemike

Being that it's a remodel, is there enough room to get a one piece tub in there? Also since you are putting a one-piece tub in, and I assumed you are replacing the drywall on the walls, why not just pop the sealing off and replace the drywall on that as well.

Seems like you would spend more time and money trying to make the new wall meet with the old that would be easier just to read drywall the whole alcove. Also, depending on the situation the homeowner might want an additional light inside the tub area if it's kind of dark, now would be a great time to do that.


The other option would be when you install the new tub and drywall, if you can find matching tile perhaps you can make it blend with the old ceiling.

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-Mike-

Fuzzycram

This lady is flipping the house, so she wants the cheapest and easiest thing to do really. She says she doesn't want to take the tile off the ceiling. I don't think she will find matching tile - it's really old. She wants to check out a tub and shower one piece fiberglass unit. it's just like.. I don't know how to explain it. She isn't wanting to go all the way with either idea.. she wants me to make both ideas work. I think it won't look good with a fiber glass unit with a tile ceiling.. but she doesn't want to spend the money to have me retile it. *grunt*

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firemike

That's exactly why I refuse to work for flippers, they want everything cheap yet still want to look nice and don't want to pay what it's worth.

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-Mike-

neolitic

One piece is new construction only!
Will not fit through the existing opening even if you tear out the jambs.
That's why they make 4 piece "remodel units.
If she wants an abortion...that's what she's gonna get.

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TimelessQuality

Install a row of receptacles so that 'she' can plug in a hair dryer, radio, toaster, coffee maker, etc.That way she can fix breakfast while she showers

(Don't worry about that GFCwhatever thing)

neolitic

BTW Flipper "Lady" wouldn't want to hear what I would tell her to do "in this space."

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TimelessQuality

I've got it... Raise the tub up to the ceiling.. You can build a platform out of that wall you're going to have to take out to get a one piece tub/shower in there.

KillerToiletSpider

Fifteen years ago we installed one of those Kohler "Environmental Enclosures" on a remodel job, it was a hell of a lot bigger than a one piece T&S. Biggest waste of money I have ever seen.

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Double-A

I suggest she paint a sign on that space that says, "This space for rent."

Works for me.

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kevjob

good luck with the fix and flip crowd, they want everything yesterday. "if you give me a good deal this time"...sound familiar?

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

neolitic

Those the ones like "Freewill" with the ceiling molded in?

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KillerToiletSpider

This.

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neolitic

Did it come with the girl???
At first I read "Habitat Masturbate"
Old AND dyslectic!

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LNG24

Maybe, but you are lumping a large group together. The "Flippers" I have done work for, use the same guys all the time. We are brought in in the beginning to set up the budget and THEY WANT TO HEAR the Good, Bad and Ugly.

I'd bet Not, BUT SHE NEEDS TO HEAR THE TRUTH!

If you are approached by a Flipper, ask them these two questions:
1) "How many have you done in the past?" (If the answer is none, go to #2)
2) Have you ever remodeled your OWN Home?

If the answer is None and No to those questions, AS THE PROFESSIONAL YOU ARE, You Better Be Up Front and Honest with them!

As a GC, I am expected to know just about every aspect of a job. Look for the trouble spots and keep open communication between the subs and I. If my sub tells me I think we should do it this or that way, I have to make a judgment call based on my past experiences and knowledge of HIS Trade.

Your Flipper is acting like a GC, yet most of them DO NOT KNOW one thing about construction and will expect you to act as a GC for them. THESE are ones you RUN From!

If I tell a customer that what they are trying to do is not to code, not a good idea, will not save them money in the long run or will simply look like *****, and they want to go forward with THEIR Idea. Well, Put your thoughts in writing and have them sign that they have read and and understand your concerns. The consequences are theirs alone then.

So, If your Flipper has never done this before, and she is not listening to you, then you are best off to walk away, because you most likely will be loosing money when the house doesn't sell or when she sues you for poor workmanship. (see our thread here about the guy who was sued for coping instead of mitering and the person had a witness claim Coping is an amateur joint.

Now a good Flipper will say. "I want to spend $5k in here (pick a room), what can we do with that?" Then you give them Option A, B and C. Anything else is a waste of your time.

Fuzzycram

Asking for a budget for each room is PERFECT!

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