The five things that create the gap
- Tile. One quote assumes basic porcelain, another assumes large-format or stone. The labor to set them is different too.
- Glass. Framed door, fixed frameless panel or full frameless enclosure. Some quotes leave glass out completely.
- Plumbing moves. Keeping the drain in place versus cutting the slab to move it.
- Waterproofing. A full sheet or liquid membrane system costs more than cement board and a liner, and it is what keeps the shower from leaking.
- What is excluded. Permit, haul-away, paint, fixtures and hidden-damage repairs are the usual missing lines.
Estimates and fixed prices are different things
An estimate is a guess that can grow. A fixed price is a contract number tied to a written scope. A low estimate with thin detail often ends up higher than a fixed price once change orders start.
Tile and fixture allowances work the same way. If the allowance is too low to buy the tile you were shown, the real price is higher than the number on the page. Ask what the allowance buys before you compare.
Who is doing the work
The price also depends on the business behind it. A licensed, bonded and insured contractor with its own crew and a warranty has costs that an unlicensed installer does not. Arizona requires the ROC license number on bids and advertising, and you can look up any license and its complaint history on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website.
On the other end, large showroom companies carry sales commissions and overhead. Neither extreme is automatically wrong. You should just know what you are paying for.
How to compare quotes line by line
Put the quotes side by side and check each of these. If a line is missing from one quote, ask for it in writing before comparing totals.
- Demo and haul-away
- Waterproofing system, by name
- Tile allowance per square foot
- Glass type and thickness
- Fixtures, by model or allowance
- Permit and inspections
- Start date, days on site and what happens if the schedule slips
- How hidden conditions are priced
- Deposit and payment schedule
- Warranty, in writing
Red flags
- A firm price given by phone or from photos, with no measurements.
- A discount that expires today.
- No ROC number on the paperwork.
- A large deposit requested before any materials are ordered.
Key facts
- Main cause
- Different scope, not different prices for the same work
- Biggest variables
- Tile, glass, plumbing moves, waterproofing
- Most often left out
- Glass, permit, haul-away, hidden-damage terms
- How to check a license
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) lookup
Related questions
Where we do this work
Services: Full Bathroom Remodel · Walk-In Shower Remodel
Bathroom remodeling in Phoenix, Gilbert, Glendale, and across the Valley.