Bumping this. We are looking at remodeling an existing walk-in shower (tile that is a PITA to keep clean plus its older) in our master along with a tub to standing shower conversion in our master bath. I've done quite a bit of research except for bringing potential contractors in to look at it and give formal quotes. A few questions:
1. Has anyone done this on their own? I've flipped houses in the past and am semi-handy but don't have a lot of free time. I'd prefer hiring but some of the initial online estimates say it could be $5k+ which seems insane.
2. Any recommendations in the Des Moines area?
3. Anyone done something similar and have a real cost?
One thing you can consider is subbing out parts of the work. I did this for my house in Kansas City back in 2018. As a reference, my house had a dining room and kitchen right next to eachother, with the dining room having a closet for the washer and dryer, and the kitchen had the furnace in a closet in the corner. We essentially flipped the two so that as the dinning room had more space, so would have a nicer kitchen. It also helped that each side had plumbing and gas in the area for us to use.
Things my dad, Girlfriend (now wife), and I did.
- Demolition
- Electrical work
- Plumbing work
- Took out the patio door and put in a normal door (this included framing the space left by the patio door and installing the new vinyl siding.
- Installed new lights
- Installed new door from house to garage
- Paint
- Installed kitchen Cabinets and Appliances
Things I subbed out
- Countertops
- Tile floor
- Drywall installation and finishing