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"Bath in a Day" Blues

5 years ago

Hired one of those "bath in a day type" outfits to replace our existing bathtub/shower on a 90+ year old bungalow. The general contractor (GC) left the work to be completed late in the day by two other workers knowing that they still needed to come back later to complete the installation (80% complete). Everybody was pleasant enough to deal with. The bathroom had a double hung window in the shower area that was also replaced and the bathroom has lathe and plaster walls.

This outfit constructs their own shower surround and builds it to dimensions on site. I am not satisfied with a number of things on the job.

While demoing the shower area they did not score the edge of the demo area or cut through it with a sawzall. The lathe snapped and caused the plaster to crack and break off far into the bathroom 2' outside of the shower area. They threw in a piece of drywall 2' x 16" that is 1/4" proud of the rest of the wall and told me to mud/tape it and paint the wall. We extended the insert another foot outside the shower to cover up part of it but it will still take a lot of mud to feather out the area. I feel like they should be handling this repair work.

The GC decided to demo the lathe and plaster on the wall with the supply lines, but left the other two walls alone. These walls have a cheap thin tile over the plaster. Was the GC saving effort by not removing this? Otherwise 3/4" OSB would have been secured to the wall with no vapor barrier. They felt the walls were solid enough to not perform the demo work and glued the acrylic to the old tile. Looks nice, not sure if this is a concern?




The tub is not level from left to right, sloping away from the drain 9/16". I'm not sure if I felt the tub move when I loaded it with water and stepped into it today.

The window that was installed is askew in the area and doesn't slide or lock easily since it is not level. The weep holes on the outside of the window will drain onto a 2x4 that is not pressure treated that sits on the outer brick wall of the house. The window is set 1/2" onto the 2x4. Pictures are attached . I questioned the GC on this when I walked into the room as it looked off, but the window was open. When the window is closed it is much easier to see. The outside view of the window is shimmed (left the shims sticking out) and it is clear to see how the window was impacted.




Above the tub on the ceiling another piece of the acrylic insert was part of the installation. The GC and the 2 workers didn't notice it on the order and it was not in their truck as part of the order. I asked about it right before the GC called it a day (Friday).

The supply lines are leaking into my basement from the new plex that was installed as part of the project. The other side of the wall is lathe and plaster inside of a bedroom closet. Do I force them to take the insert out to do the repair?

The owner of the business is coming out tomorrow to finish the trim on the outside of the window, acrylic insert on the ceiling and install the curtain rod. As a contractor, would you like a heads up on the issues prior to arrival or should I wait to express my concerns?


Thanks for the advice on this matter.

Comments (12)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Not going to go much into the bath stuff as I can't really comment without being there, but there are some red flags with the window. Untreated lumber shouldn't be used next to brick. The window looks racked, and so on, and so on.

    HU-769590329 thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I agree with JuneKnow.

    Some situations can work with "canned solutions" - but many simply don't. Keep in mind that they make money by getting in- and getting out- quickly.

    Older homes are particularly bad candidates for these solutions because of plaster instead of drywall, old plumbing and electrical, structural issues, out of plumb/level, etc. In addition, a "canned solution" often takes away from the architectural integrity and appeal of the older home.

    So, yeah... the window has to come out. It's not square in the opening and the untreated 2x will rot. I know they intend to wrap it with metal / vinyl and caulk... but it's going to rot and you won't know it's happening.

    If the plumbing is leaking it has to be fixed. They are either going to take the surround out - or cut through the closet to do it.

    I'm not at all big fans of contractors who leave projects for the homeowner to do either (tape and mud the joint).

    Here's how I would have addressed all of this:

    1. A window in a shower is ALWAYS a bad idea. Always. In several situations I've removed the window entirely. This would require matching the brick on your exterior - but a decent mason could do that and would solve the tuckpointing issue around the window also.

    2. I would come back with a standard tub, tile backer board and tile on the inside.

    3. I'd install a fan for ventilation if there wasn't one - to make up for the missing window. The truth is that a window isn't an adequate substitute for a bath fan for removing moisture or odors.

    HU-769590329 thanked Jake The Wonderdog
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Something looks wrong with the window on the left inside where the frame meets the sash. If they replace the wood on the exterior with treated lumber the aluminum coil should not come in direct contact. plaster patches should be flush , this could be done with thinner drywall and shims If needed often contracts will have disclaimers for wall patches and painting but if it was from a hamfisted Demo/install I’d see it otherwise. If the tub was a liner it may have to follow the existing tub but it should have been leveled. Plaster and lath can be removed cleanly if it is intact, sawzalls do not work well for this, an oscillating tool would. I would go over your contract first, then call the owner and listen to his solutions . Hopefully they are not paid yet.

    HU-769590329 thanked toddinmn
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Definitely some issue that need to be addressed.

    As for the question, I'd prefer to know the concerns as soon as possible. No need to wait for them to get there, often times that can be perceived as an "ambush", and trigger a defensive response. If they know the issues prior to arrival, they will hopefully already be planning solutions by the time they arrive.

    HU-769590329 thanked HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
  • 5 years ago

    I'd like to thank everyone who responded with their comments and advice; I appreciate the feedback. Still waiting to hear back from the owner hopefully tomorrow they can address my issues.


    A little more background. This is the only bathroom in the house so the appeal of having everything completed in a day was a big selling point for us. The old cast iron tub was replaced with a new tub (it was not a liner). There is no fan in the bathroom; hopefully that's a project for next year.


    The good news is that the contractor has not been paid yet. I just determined that the overflow in the tub leaks into the basement.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    "The good news is that the contractor has not been paid yet."


    That is excellent news. Make it clear that he will not be until every issue is resolved to your satisfaction.


    I thought the drywall installation was bad, but then I looked at the window and I haven't even seen a close up of the interior detailing.


    What has happened to a sense of embarrassment? How can these guys allow these pics on the interwebby? I would die. Even drunken naked party pictures in your college days are forgivable in context, but this?

  • 5 years ago

    They should have used 1/4” Sheetrock if available. 3/8” works in a pinch, but requires more skilled work.

  • 5 years ago

    "What has happened to a sense of embarrassment? How can these guys allow these pics on the interwebby? I would die. Even drunken naked party pictures in your college days are forgivable in context, but this?"


    Yeah, I would be really embarrassed by some of the photos of work done by "professionals".

    And, evidently, I went to the wrong college.


    I think that the idea to let the owner know you have some significant concerns before he gets there is a good idea. Approach it non-combative initially, but with clear expectations that it be resolved.


    I can't tell you how many times I've redone a one bath house of my own and had to temp set the toilet just to have indoor plumbing - so I understand the appeal of done in a day.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Stuff goes wrong from time to time. All you can do is expect that the leadership steps up and makes it right. That seems to be the case here so that is a good outcome.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I would not Be happy about the tub being out of level . I think I would want different installers to fix this since I would have doubts about them being able to do it right. Seems like a solution is viable and hopefully it only takes them one more time to get it right.