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Bathroom renovations, lots of plumbing work

1,245 Views | 5 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by GCRanger
GCRanger
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AG
Looking for input on price and anything we may not be thinking of while doing reno.

We are re-doing two bathrooms and while the walls are open we are going to re-pipe the house to PEX from in-slab copper. There have been previous leaks in the pipes in the slab that previous owners had re-routed through attic. So we are just going to upgrade everything while walls are open, modernize, etc. We plan to live here for forever.

House: 1960s, San Antonio, 2200 sqft. 2 baths that share a wall. majority of water is central in house

Work to be done:
  • new Pex pipe and fittings for all fixtures through out the home. Two showers, new steam generator, three vanity sinks, two toilets, kitchen sink, washing machine, four hose bibs.
  • All pipe insulated
  • Chipping out concrete and centering the drains for both the hall bath and master bath showers.
  • Chipping and recentering master toilet for new WC
  • installing new shower valves and fixtures in both bathrooms
  • adding a new drain line and hot and cold for the exterior patio area.
  • Moving one hose bib from patio to corner of house
  • excavating and installing a new 1" water service line from the meter to the home.
  • new gas line from the meter to the back left corner of the home for the new exterior tankless water heater
  • Mana-block installed between the HB and MB area.
  • installing a new water softener.
  • Owner responsible for supplying all fixtures.
  • Not fixing drywall or landscaping

First plumbing quote: $28,000 and change but likely to be closer to $30k when all said and done.

In the master bath we are expanding the shower to be a walk-in steam shower. Closing in the toilet with a pocket door. Updating closets, new vanity, etc. Front bath is going from bathtub to shower, toilet going to be closed in with pocket door, upgrading to double vanity, etc.

I'm doing electrical myself as I've done that before. Also doing demo myself with some help. Friend is helping with framing. Hiring out the flooring and tiling work and possibly the drywall. I've done drywall before but not sure I want to fight that battle in the bathroom.

We are doing the master first then the front bath right after master bath is functioning again.

Some pics of bathrooms

Master


Front "kids" bathroom


Master under day 1 (technically three days of about 2 hours each). I really need to find time to focus on this in one go.

TexAg1987
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add blocking to the walls for all your cabinets, towel racks, and toilet paper holders.
GCRanger
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AG
great reminder. just saw that on a youtube video.
TexAg1987
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Add blocking for future handicap grab bars (shower area, toilet area) too, since it is going to be a forever house.
Caliber
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AG
Did that plumbing quote come with the idea that you are splitting this into two pieces (at least), HB/MB? That might change the math if you didn't. There will be a gap in the middle for the plumbing piece for sure. Overall, that is a lot of work, as I was reading my initial though was that's going to be $30k if you hire it all out and then I saw your quote.

On the Time vs Money front, if you can run electrical, you can run PEX, but the whole house re-pipe aspect changes how you might work it all again. You could break it up in any number of ways, but its a time vs money argument.

For the Master shower, make sure that you have more than one shower head so no one gets cold . Think about the handle locations so you're not bumping a hot/cold valve while showering. Plan how much space you need with nooks and then double it. Make sure you have some sort of seat and/or shaving ledge.

For the pocket doors, get kits with soft open/close, especially with kids.

Consider your layout with the linen closets. I like to take out walls where possible and use floor to ceiling cabinets for linen closets but that is 100% a preference. It sounds like you're already moving stuff around a bit, so make it all exactly like you want.

On the electrical front, install a timer switch for the vent fans so that you can run them after showers, especially with the Steam Shower.

And lastly, Take pictures and video of all the installs before insulation/Sheetrock! Document anything that will be covered! These are invaluable when troubleshooting or updating anything.

Goodluck and don't be hard on yourself if the schedule stretches a bit!
GCRanger
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AG
Caliber, great input. I've done most of what you have said already.

I weighted the time vs. money part and running the pex doesn't save a ton of money compared to the other plumbing costs. It would likely take me a lot longer and wife nor I would be happy down to one bathroom for too long. I'm also 6'4" and don't like crawling around in tight attic space.
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