Posted on 01/19/2022 9:15:23 AM PST by MAGA2017
I'm hoping to sell my house by springtime (I need a bigger one for my wife and kids) and would like my bathroom redone. Needs some drywall work, new bathroom tub and shower surround, etc. I had a really hard time finding contractors and I got two bids. I can pick out the items from Home Depot I want him to install. Nothing fancy or complicated. is it expected for me to buy the items I want him to install? Or does he do that as part of the cost of the job?
Don’t do it.
Keep the cash for your own upgrade.
Un-necessary in this market.
Hovels are going for 15% over asking.
Those options should be incorporated into the bids.
That’s up to you whether you pick up the material or he does. Either way you’ll have to be the one to decide on what to buy. Use concrete board where water may get sprayed. Most importantly, make sure he’s proficient in both plumbing and remodeling which is very, different than new construction. I’d ask for some references.
All of the above replies.
I’ve seen people work deals either way. The one thing I would say is that if you go out and you buy stuff and have it ready for the contractor to install, they may possible say “Awwwwww, this isn’t quite the right size, or quite the right unit. I can maybe make it work, but it’s going to cost you extra ...”
Everybody wants to squeeze more money out of the deal any way they can. Be alert to the possibility and work out an understanding with the contractor so that neither party surprises the other party.
Correction: All of replies 2, 3 and 4 above.
If you let the contractor buy your materials, they usually double the price of what you could pay.
“Don’t do it.
Keep the cash for your own upgrade.”
^^^ This.
Plus, if you want it done by spring, you have already waited too long. The contractors you want are already booked, you will pay too much if you can find someone, or you will get very poor work.
Second your advice. I made the mistake (twice) of updating our home prior to sale and got nothing back for the trouble (actually lost a lot). The second time I took out a 2nd mortgage to cover the costs. I was a dumb kid.
USUALLY, if he buys the material, he charges DOUBLE to cover his time
if you want to get more hands on and pay as you go, then use a good handyman if you can find one.
otherwise, contractors price everything.
I would spend my free time watching youtube videos on bathroom remodeling and then do it myself.
Be sure the bathroom meets ADA specs, or you'll be sued by some gimp you've never seen and his shyster lawyer.
Try Re-Bath. Not going to be top of the line stuff (except the cabinets) but it will be fast. They did our master bath in 5 days start to finish.
Usually where you get supplies will have a list of contractors available. They are probably your best bet BECAUSE they want to stay in the store’s good graces. OR...go to the building department in your Town...they might have a list also since they have to check everything for a C of O.
When we had our kitchen and bathroom re-done, we went to the stores and picked out what we wanted. The contractor billed us seperately
Maybe others do it differently - you should make it clear in advance
When my wife and I sold our house about 10 years ago we spent money to upgrade both bathrooms. IMHO, it helped a lot to get a better price that more than covered the cost of the upgrades.
It’s so much easier to sell a house with nice bathrooms (and a nice kitchen). Buyers want it because they want nice bathrooms and don’t want to have to fool with it themselves. They can roll the price of the upgrade into the mortgage and not have to pay for it all at once, so it attracts them.
That having been said, the housing market is a lot different now than it was then.
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