Rip off all the drywall and do all new. With no texture. That’s always faster and cheaper.

https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/walls-and-ceilings/sheetrock-drywall-prices/

Use your location for cost.

There is no drywall, but experience has shown me that the seams will show.

Poor seams telegraph through texture. Get it right, please.

" I have no idea why the drywall people here can't feather the mud out, but we HAVE to texture to hide the seams."

"There is no drywall,"

Then what is the texture being applied to? What are the seams in?

Rip off whatever is the wall cladding. Check the trueness of the studs underneath. Do any rough electrical and plumbing behind the walls. Put up new moisture resistant drywall. Finish. You get a much better quality job result at about the same price. All jobs you encounter will be that way. It’s faster and cheaper and better to demo and start over. This is how professionals get things done. They dont dicker around with halfass patch approaches and hat just cost more time and money and give worse result.

Well, that part we got right. The demo... We ripped it all out April 1st. No electrician or plumber available yet, but one gave a phone estimate and one visited in person.

Phone estimate for moving water lines and drain line in concrete was $125.00 for his jackhammer, plus materials. About $1200.00 IF under 9 hours.

In person estimate, $1400.00.

Three different drywallers over six years, and all seams show, even with texture. From experience, we know the seams will show in this bathroom, too. It is a given.

The problem is that they take one look at my lake view and assume they can raise the rates.

My original question...is $2500 a good estimate or a high estimate in my area?

What about the plumbing?

Low for both.

Plumbing bid sounds dirt cheap.

You aren't clear about the $2500 bid for 'texture'. Does that include installation of the drywall, taping & mudding and then texture?

We want new texturing on drywall, walls and ceiling, in lir 3 bedrooms as some of the rooms have some differences from years of painting/ nail patches, shelves now removed but with wall anchors in place. Is it always better to start over with new drywall or just if there are cracks?

In O the answerslahoma, the cost of living is low, and so is income. You can't charge the same here as in other states or no one will hire you, but they will try to get more if I am stupid enough to pay it. I just need to know about other states near me...not big cities, not California or New York or Florida, etc.

Ci_lantro, sorry. I thought I was clear when I said texture which to me means texture. Drywall, mud, tape, and texture would be different.

Alwayscold, that is a tough question. Some contractors would prefer to start over and some don't. They can charge more since they are doing more. However, I am not sure that is the best for the homeowner. I am sure an expert will come along and answer. All I know is that my contractor applied texture over texture when he messed up and left huge seams showing. He just added more texture on top. I guess it depends if your drywall is in good condition or if the texture is falling off or if there is some other damage.