12-19K from a fully licensed and insured General Contractor. You're not mentioning the needed water proofing, and especially the interfacing of the waterproofing with a window, which is a BAD idea. You're also not mentioning installing an anti scald shower tub valve, or dealing with the additional header installation, drywall repair and priming, or dealing with the exterior cladding, flashing, and rainscreen that will be damaged by installation of a new window. Nor are you mentioning insulation, nor the other plumbing and electrical updates that will all be required. And that is if you knew enough to buy the right products and don't have down time waiting on reorders and screw-ups.

Wow - that put me in my place!

Are you kidding me? In a straightforward manner, Sophie has pointed out some typical things that could increase the cost of a bathroom if they haven't already been considered. Being open to helpful suggestions is a good way to begin.

Perhaps I read it wrong - but the last sentence "if you knew enough" sounded a little like a put down to my ears

It's a general statement. She could have said "if one knew enough." A thicker skin and not taking offense where none is intended will serve you well when you come seeking free advice.

:-) Thanks for your re-assurance and kind words.

You're welcome!!

If the bathroom is gutted - you say you don't need paint / flooring - who's going to install the walls? If everything is all laid out - as you claim - I'd guess $8 - $10k. Would be good to have a couple of pictures.

I will paint and install flooring myself - that is why it is excluded from the contractor's scope. The old tub and tub surround (plastic shell) are gone - so down to studs in alcove - but walls remaining in the rest of the room (typical hall bathroom approx 5x8 size). Contractor would install tile in the tub alcove.

Old built-in vanity also gone but the plumbing lines remain and will be re-used for the replacement ("furniture" type vanity).

I was only looking to get a general idea - ball-park type thing....

Thanks!

Rough estimate for floating the tub surround with cement and installing tile, labor and rough materials only, is in the neighborhood of $2,000. In reading the OPs post, I just assumed they figured waterproofing would be included in a tile estimate and that's why it wasn't mentioned.

I don't understand this statement, "You're not mentioning the needed water proofing, and especially the interfacing of the waterproofing with a window, which is a BAD idea." What is the bad idea? I take it the OP already has a window in their alcove since they want to install a retro-fit replacement. My tub surround has a window in it, as does every other home in my neighborhood (So. Cal.).

When my retro-fit windows were installed, there was no damage to the exterior at all.

If it were me, I'd call a licensed tile contractor to get started. An experienced tile contractor will have contacts with the other trades you'll need for this small bath remodel.

Your city's building department can let you know what's required for code compliance (anti-scald valve, type of light fixtures, exhaust fan type, etc.).

Thanks! Yes - the window is already there (as I think I mentioned in the initial question - it is approx 4x2 and will just be a replacement. No outside stucco repair/repainting....

Very helpful :-)

I appreciate your help and insight! It was a "shame" that my introduction to the service was a baptism by fire, so to speak!

I am not a complete newbie to this business - nor to the concept of collaboration and help - having run my own business; managed other peoples' businesses; rehabbed residential and commercial properties. But having not had to rehab just a small bathroom before, I thought it worth asking for a rough idea of local costs.... and houzz looked like a possible resource.

Have you ever used/contributed to any other forum? Bigger Pockets, perhaps??

What is Bigger Pockets?

Bigger Pockets is a web site (forum, blogs, radio shows, etc.) for and by investors in real estate.

Who are you asking if they contributed to Bigger Pockets?

FWIW, last year I finished a 6' x 7' to the studs remodel for less than 6k, IIRC. This is in southern New Hampshire, high cost of living area, but probably not as expensive as the OC. I GCed, did some of the work, and had handymen help, at $35 per hour. Freestanding tub, no tile, Toto Drake toilet, wall hung sink, commercial vinyl floor, some new drywall, new paint.

snookums, I think the OP regarded "if you knew enough" to be a "baptism by fire."

I think they comprehended the entire paragraph.

I guess I didn't get the delay of another response to the first post.

How many people know how to order a Delta shower or tub system, unless they are in the trade? Many people know that the valve (what kind of pipe?) and trim are separate pieces, but you also have to order the handles separately on many of their choices Then there is the transfer valves, ells, hoses, hand shower, sliding bar, bracket, shower arm, shower arm support, and shower head. That is for a ''simple'' setup. A not simple setup needs even more parts. That's one manufacturer. Each has their own quirks That a lay person rarely knows about, or understands enough to be able to order it all correct from the beginning. Not without paying a trip charge to the plumber to open up all of the boxes only to discover that something is missing. There are dozens of posts on the Bath forum stretching back for years asking for Pro help with that very issue. Making mistakes on a plumbing order is more common than getting it right.

I dealt with construction estimating and design pricing o a daily basis for almost 40 years. I still have enough contacts in the industry, and take on a couple of jobs per year, that I have a very good grasp of pricing from licensed, insured, experienced, and competent single phone call contractors. Unlicensed Jackleg Bubbas that you have to chase down to come back and finish the job will definitely be cheaper. Cheaper and readily available is a giant red flag.

Also, be sure that you fully understand the role of GC that you are assuming here. If the scope of work that you laid out is any indication, the lacking portions that you did not include are an assumption on your part that ''someone else'' will not include either, unless specifically asked for. And they are not only needed, they are required. Such as permits and inspections And waterproofing. Tile and grout are not waterproof. What is your plan for dealing with that?

For future projects, a good source of regional cost data is the Cost vs. Value Report.

Sell, sell, sell. You will never revive the home improvement industry this way. The trades ought to be appalled at the online representation here by too many of their peers.

That Cost vs Value Report has been shot down before as unrealistic.

Who can not order faucets for their bathroom, for pete's sake. Unbelievable!

Sophie- my not cheap, not Bubba, highly recommended, highly experienced GC ordered the wrong bathtub not once, but twice. And waterproofed my shower incorrectly and not to code. And ordered the ceiling closed before the shower vent was extended through the roof- without there being another access to the attic at that time ("the roof guys will just have to figure it out"). I could go on but I won't.

So after I fired him I took pictures of all the plumbing that had been done to that point. I went to a reputable bathroom plumbing supply store, had them look at the pictures to figure out the Delta (they could tell that's what it was from the pictures) bathtub, wall shower, rain shower, and sink set up. I picked out fixtures and they ordered them. Then I found an experienced plumber who looked at what was in place and what I'd bought to make sure it was correct. And it was. A lot of hassle and one I was more than willing to pay someone to take care of initially, but after the hell I went through with the GC- never again. No matter how much time it takes. It's worth it to me to do the homework up front to make sure when it's done, it's done right the first time.

For every post from clueless homeowners on here, there's another one about a GC who does shoddy and sometimes dangerous work. Somewhere in the middle are reputable, honest, hardworking, ethical GC's and homeowners who probably could remodel homes for a living.

I wouldn't assume a poster is in the clueless camp until it's proven.

Sorry for the rant- Lisa

I don't see where the OP said they were going to do ALL the work themselves, they were just looking for ballpark figures for their area for a small bath remodel! What legit tile contractor installs tile without providing for adequate waterproofing?? It's not a shower. They don't need to sub out for a hot mop or anything! Some posts make it sound like homeowners don't have a lick of common sense. What is the point of Homeowners asking anything on this forum if the answer to everything is, "Hire a General Contractor." The OP only asked for basic, ballpark figures for a few things.

"what legit tile contractor installs tile without providing for adequate waterproofing??"

Mine, lol. He was licensed with a number of credentials. That's why you need to educate yourself first on what needs to be done so you can go into an interview armed with information before taking the leap of faith in letting someone work on your home. I also tried a couple of GC's thinking they would solve the problem of being a layperson. Hand it all over to an experienced project manager. The outcome was no better. Problem after problem. Hopefully some day there will be stringent educational requirements so it will become difficult to enter the construction field without an adequate level of expertise, and the sense of responsibility that follows.

@southofsa: There are several sites (like faucetsdirect) where the have the products bundled, additionally, their staff will help make sure you have components that will work together.

Snookums2, perhaps "legit" was the wrong word. :-)

He was 'legit'. Licensed, credentialed. Just not very good.

P.S. You can run into that when hiring either a trade or a GC.

Ordering plumbing fixtures is not a big deal. I've used faucetsdirect.com, and when you find the style you like, they specify what additional parts you need to bundle with it to make it work.

You don't need 40 years of plumbing experience to remember everything, you just need the internet.

Sophie's post would have been helpful if she had ended after the first sentence.

This is funny stuff. Agree with all the homeowner's assessments on ordering plumbing supplies. In my case I went to a high-end supply house, negotiated significant (contractor) discounts and did it all live, but would have felt comfortable doing so on the internet as well. Just wanted to touch it kind of thing. No issues with any of it. Pretty sure Sophie is a man (might be wrong).

And in the biz.