Never seen one "Live"

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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...

 

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...

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. :thumbsup:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

Email sent

 

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

 

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

 

I know of a handful of people that had bathfitters come in and do the work. One customer had 2 bathrooms. We renovated one and bathfitters had did the other one. The homeowner said it cost $7000 to do just the bathtub, tub walls and drop ceiling. A friend of my wifes had them do a small shower, 3x3x8. Cost them around $6000 and had nothing but problems with it leaking.

 

Just in the interest of being thorough, the bath fitter system and the rebath system are A LOT different.

The BF system uses a so-called "1 piece" design that invites nothing but cracks and leaks. At least ReBath uses a true 3 piece design with expansion joints. Rebath seems to be a little cheaper as well.

It sucks hearing about customers that feel like they were ripped off, but overall, both companies have volumes and volumes of positive testimonials. At the end of the day if the customer is happy... I've talked to several customers who said it was worth every penny and they couldnt be happier...

Bottom line though is that there are companies popping up all over the place that can do acrylic replacement stuff. Let them do what they do. Their innovation is severely lacking.

The key is to find new ways and new products to really provide your customers a unique experience and results. Thats whats really helped us.

 

adwilk --- Would it be possible to email those sales tech items to me as well ... would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
ngav 2216200@optonline.net

 

Rebath - Bathfitter problems

I have seen many "systems" that have been cut wrong and have gaping
1/2" gaps at the seems. Ceiling panels fall down and uneven and tons of issues
with water getting under the tub liners which isn't a quick fix. The future of bath
remodeling looks great! Sad for the customers though.

I'm gonna start recording them with pictures.

 

Rebath - Bathfitter problems I have seen many "systems" that have been cut wrong and have gaping 1/2" gaps at the seems. Ceiling panels fall down and uneven and tons of issues with water getting under the tub liners which isn't a quick fix. The future of bath remodeling looks great! Sad for the customers though. I'm gonna start recording them with pictures.

Yes..Systems that are horribly installed. As someone mentioned, they are franchise. Some owners truly care about workmanship, etc. It is the EXACT same with contractors. Lots of pictures and stories of sloppy work..no one coming back, etc, etc Some are phenomenal and some not. I absolutely would prefer larger tile ove acrylic but there are pros and cons for both. Definitely easier going with say Rebath that has great reviews, in an area where we'll known. They are not going to risk there license, reviews or reputation over crappy job. Some contractors will, some will not. A lot dont advertise the way these franchise does. I completely understand why. But unfortunately, what is average homeowner to do? All companies have there place. If I was sure of a contractor...hands down best way to go.

 

bathfitter and rebath junk

My eyes don't lie. You cannot tell me what I have seen. Go preach your sales lines elsewhere

 

Rebath, Bathfitter

I have been reading the thread regarding Rebath and Bathfitter. I have experienced a sales person from each company. Each of these bathtub liner providers have basically the same product with a few small differences. The prices are relatively high in my opinion. They ranged from $2500.00 to $5600.00 with special coupons offered from time to time of around $500.00 off. I found that having a contractor come in and remove the bathtub and install a tile shower base/walls is much more cost effective. There is also another product available called a safety step, which is a retrofit cap that after the bathtub being cut slides over the open notch. Its not for everyone (Its great for people on fixed incomes). These are several options to the rebath or bathfitter product that are very pricey. I actually had the safety step installed for my mother, it works great and cost a fraction of the cost ($475.00) of the other options. You can google or yahoo and find dealers anywhere in the united states. I hope this was helpful.

 

Nothing more than a large band aid,

I say do it the write way , and give the bath area some character put a new tub in , install new Rock board , new tile,you may find some problems areas that you didn't realize were there. Tile will (hands down) if installed correctly with the write materials, will out last that band aid solution, 10 fold. the words "go over" and "cover up" gives the impression of Barn Job when it comes to this. there are already several consumer complaints about this process and with the companies that are installing them http://bathfitters.pissedconsumer.com/ . just my 2 cents

 

I haven't had a personal experience with any re-bath product. But my in-laws have. They spent over 5k on a re-bath of their tub/shower. IMO that's frackin' highway robbery. 5k for what? A liner that goes over an existing tub and shower surround? Unreal... For the size of their bathroom, I could have remodeled the entire bathroom with average fixtures for about 2k more. So now they have a bathroom with a new looking shower stall and a 1970's vanity and flooring.

They got screwed in my opinion, but being the son-in-law, I just tell them it looks fabulous. :whistling

 

Sounds like a Rebather in the house

I owned a Rebath Franchise for several years and most of those guys and their crews are extremely inexperienced. If the customer can tell the difference in a good quality job and a cheap plastic cover then that is what they deserve

 

Know the subject before you open your mouth.

Bath Fitter will never just cover up a bath without making sure everything is good. they don't cover any mildew. If there is mildew, it will be remove. All the affected materials will be removed, It is not a short cut, but only a cheaper alternative for people with a smaller budget. Not everybody can afford a $30 000 bathroom reno. Find the good customer for the product you offer.

Not all the reno are done in a day. If your bathroom is in good condition and you just want a little update, bath fitter might be for you.

Bath fitter will also remove old bath tub and replace it if necessary. that might take more than a day.

If you try to put people down to make yourself look better, you will never be good in business because nobody is going to trust you.

There is over 200 bath fitter in north America. Look at the number of complaint on pissedcomsumer.com in the last 10 years. divide the number of complaint by the number of years and by 200. That is a very low rate of complaints. (complaints / years / 2000 retailers)

Be more mature.

 

Seems like it would be kinda like putting a metal or vinyl cap over a rotten window sill. Sure it covers up the ugly but there is still a rotten mess underneath the cap. Would be ok for a rental or a quick flip I guess... Maybe a section 8 job. It certainly has its place in the industry if for no other reason tan to give us something to shake our heads at.

 

we are installing trim and flooring in a bathroom now...we upped floor to expose subfloor...many areas of rot had to be replaced..bathfitter is coming in to do there thing..now if the areas of the rest of the floor had damage...im willing to bet underneath the tub is the same way..but we wont know since its staying

lot of money going into flooring and if something happens down the road up it will come to repair

 

My neighbor had one put in a few years ago. I'm not sure exactly which company it was but it turned out ok for what it was. For a spare bathroom or rental it might be just the thing. The only thing that bothered me about it was the guy replaced the valve(almost sure he wasn't a plumber) and didn't align the spout and handle up in a line, the spout was offset a couple inches or so. To me it ruined the whole job! I'm not sure what my neighbor spent but I think could have put in a whole new heavy duty tub/shower combo for the same price. OR remodeled for a couple thousand more. But she was happy so who cares, right?