Tub Surround

dragonfly

Hi everyone, I am looking for a tub/whirlpool surround but am having a hard time finding one that doesnt cost an arm and leg. The tub is 42" x 72", have price out swanstone but h.o. doesnt want to spend that kind of money. Anybody know where a good quality surround at a reasonable price, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Double-A

What is "an arm and a leg" and "reasonable"?

You're saying a lot, but not conveying much information. Saran wrap is cheap, but I think its a bit less than everyone involved was hoping for. Upgrade to 6 mil polyethylene plastic? Naw, probably too cheap.

OK, now we have the too cheap ideas out of the way. Whats the budget for the job? What looks have been ruled out. What style of Swanstone has been OK'd? Any?

Help us help you out. More information, please.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

dragonfly

We are removing ceramic tile because h.o. doesnt like it anymore. Budget is approx. 500.00 for surround plus labor. Need to do some repair work on back surface of wall from moisture. We are looking for a 42" x 72" surround which apparently is hard to find from a retail store, web site would be great. H.O. will be building a new home in near future and wants to have this house sellable to the next homeowner without spending an arm and a leg. Maybe just and arm. Thanks again

Mike Finley

42"x72" isn't a typical alcove bathtub/shower, is this deck mounted? Does this have a shower head or is it a tub only? $500 wouldn't pay wholesale on the typical surround we would use on a normal 59x30 surround. With that budget the only thing I would suggest is buy one of those big stick on surrounds, the kind that is about 1/8" thick, the type you cut down with a utility knife and stick on the wall with adhesive and go to town. It will be butt ugly, but a butt ugly budget buys a butt ugly solution.

Putty Truck

Paint. That's right. Paint.

Get some super high gloss paint, mix in some Super Glue (for waterproofing) and spray the mixture on. Be sure to spray it using only the very best Home Depot-rented sprayer.

The gods travel the earth in the form of internet spirits, did you know that?

Ron The Plumber

A few gallons of rubber cement, apply a few coats to the walls, might be under your budget.

Double-A

You might contact a local FRP fabricator, one that does "marble" shower recepters and counter tops. They might be able to sell you the material for under 500 to do that area, but I wouldn't count on it, unless its an older color or pattern that is NLA.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

skippythetownie

My buddy rented a house that had beaded restoration soffit running vertical on the bathroom walls. It wasn't the cleanest looking job but very creative.

KillerToiletSpider

For five hundred bucks I would think they would settle for coated masonite paneling with a nice floral design,

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A flush is better than a full house.

troubleseeker

Can't get much more economical than cultured marble, but you still won't touch it for anything near $500.

I don't think you can even BUY an el crapo fiberglass surround from el Depot Cheapo plumbing aisle for that.

See if he likes the color red. If so , you could roll on a couple of coats of Red Gaurd for him.

smellslike$tome

Man, you are sooooooo hosed! Hope you didn't already tell them it was "doable". Didn't you know to laugh when they told you $500?

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dragonfly

No hosin here, I'm not sure where you guys purchase your products, or what kind of markup you need but I will find a quality product to do this job and make this h.o. happy as can be, especially when we are looking at a new home in the near future. Some are finders and some are seekers.

Mike Finley

I like your attitude. I imagine your enthusiasm and readiness to go above and beyond to help your customers out is much appreciated by them.

Hopefully you stay in business long enough to reap the rewards of what will come when you apply that good attitude to customers who can actually afford to pay others to do things for them.

smellslike$tome

I'd love to see the final cost for this surround along with some photos of the ho standing in front of the finished product with a big smile giving the .

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troubleseeker

Well, good luck on your search, but a surround for your tub dimensions x seven feet high is a little under 100 sf by my math. That translates to $5 per square foor for demo, material purchase, installation, and profit.

And just a free kicker....I learned many years ago to never price a job on the promise of future work, or the promise that you can "catch it back" in the price of the next job....the check is in the mail, I'll call you tomorrow, I'm with the IRS and I'm calling to help you; they all have a common theme, and it involves you bent over in a compromising position.

user15686

I would think that researching a solution to the problem would consume the entire budget.

I can only imagine the telephone tag conversations between the HO and OP regarding this endeavor.

send_it_all

There will certainly be a finger in the air of some sort.

user15686

$500 bones........you're plumbing doesn't wind up in the wall

No charge for the red Krylon. That's a customer satisfaction freebie

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masterk

Dragonfly
What's your location?