Need suggestions/advice for bathroom remodel

[gofish]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good dependable plumber (or contractor) who'd install a tub and separate wall panels?

I don't have any of the new pieces yet; I've tried to find separate wall units (like Corian or SwanStone) but Lowe's and Home Depot have never heard of them for tub surrounds. Does anyone know where I can go to see examples? Noland's doesn't carry the single, flat-wall pieces. I'm not looking for the fiberglass-type units, I'm trying to find fake stone panels suitable for shower enclosures.

Thank you.

[chaz]

Cultured Marble (a resin with lotsa colors/patterns) might be what you are after. I don't know if anyone around H'burg deals with it, but Lighthouse Marble in Biloxi will install them. They will fit your measurements and you can get one piece sink/vanity top to match the shower surround. (Dont know if they install up in Hburg though)

[Maggie-Doodle]

For a plummer call or go by McElhaney's Plumbing and tell them what you are trying to do..they will give you names of reputable plumbers..I called a few years ago and I was impressed with the guy they told me to call..Sorry, I can't remember his name...he was VERY good and not overly expensive. He also cleaned up his mess when he was done.

As far as the tub surround, try L & G Marble here in the Burg or possibly Luter's Supply that advertises on tv all the time..if they don't offer what you are looking for perhaps they can suggest someone who can. good luck

[gofish]

Thank you, both!

I'm on my way...for anyone else looking to start a similar project, L&G says they have what I'm looking for--displays and examples I can choose from and they will install it themselves. A quick Google for L&G's address brought up "Quarrie's End", too, and they said they have what amounts to the same services as L&G (including company installation). Since L&G's has been recommended, I'll try them first.

Luter's doesn't install; they also don't offer vanity countertops, and they don't have a list of contractors or plumbers they'd recommend.

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

I used Barry's Granite in Hattiesburg and was happy with them

[gofish]

start with an estimate on February 5... end work on March 13

Welllll, count this as an update and review of L&G Marble and Granite. I received one public recommendation, 1 by PM, and 1 by a tool rental person in the local area. On the strength of those referrals alone, my wife and I went to the storefront on a Friday and looked over the samples and made our choice of color and shape for a tub, surround, and vanity in the masterbath. The receptionist took our names and told us someone would call on Monday or Tuesday.

That's as good as the experience got.

We called twice to set up the original appointment again for an estimate, because no one called M or Tuesday morning. I shoulda smelled it, but the referrals seemed so good---and down here, there are damn few contractors who're known...anyway, for the 3rd time, we left our number with the receptionist. (In her defense, she was only ever responsible for what she could control--passing on messages from workers and foremen/bosses.)

Finally we hook up, and a man comes by Tuesday and measures, etc. and gives me a quote. I accept the estimated price and said that I would be ready for him on Tuesday next week to deliver the tub after I tore out the existing fiberglass tub surround and vanity countertop (I've ordered 2 tops, in different colors, one for each bathroom). He said he'd be ready when I called to confirm I was finished. That following Monday, as anticipated, I called and left a message with the secretary, "I'm ready for tomorrow as we agreed, bring the tub and I'll arrange for the plumber to do connect the drain, etc., as soon as you deliver the tub." She says, "okay".

After no calls for two days, I call again. The secretary apologizes and says someone should have called (this is now late Thursday). Friday, the man who did the estimate called--"do you want us to proceed and pour your tub, panels, and vanity countertops?" "
HUH?? I guess we've had a miscommunication--yes, I wanted you to do the work. Go ahead and proceed. When can you deliver the tub?"

"It'll take about a week; we should have it to you by Tuesday the week after next."--okay; so I've screwed up and have to wait an extra 10 days. Maybe it's my mistake...I thought I'd made it clear. Strike Two against me for not seeing the signs... I call the preceding Thursday--"do you have the tub for Tuesday's delivery?"

"Yes. We'll be there Tuesday morning." "About what time?" "Before lunch". "okay."

Tuesday 4pm. No one's called; no one's come by. I call the secretary. She's profusely apologetic, but of course, has no control--she gives me the foreman's cell number. I call; he says,"we're a little behind; we'd like to do yours tomorrow when we finish here."

"Okay. About what time?" "Probably 10 or so...." "okay."

Wednesday. The foreman had called around 830am to say they'd be late--more like 11 than 10 AM now..." "Okay". 3PM rolls around. I call the foreman. "where are your guys?" "They're still stuck on that job. We'll be over tomorrow." I know better than to ask "about what time?", so I don't. At this point, I've called and canceled the plumber twice.

Thursday late morning. They finally bring in the tub and install the master bath vanity. The workers are friendly and helpful enough. They tell me what I have to do to frame and reinforce the tub and how to prep the walls, and they leave. I call the plumber as soon as the L&G workers leave. The plumber, David Jorns, says his guys will be there Monday morning around 8:30am. They show up Monday at 8:20. They hook up the plumbing and leave--there are a couple copper pipes that they have left for final connections later when we are physically able to measure the walls for their thickness--that can't happen until the tub surround panels are installed. As soon as the plumbers leave, at noon, I call L&G--the plumber's done. You can bring the vanity countertop for the guest bath and the tub surround walls and install them. "Okay. We'll be there Thursday."

From that Monday's call, it takes 2 more full weeks to get them to deliver. Lots of excuses... but L&G won't be back until another 2 Tuesdays have passed....

"we got behind on another job." "the truck broke down." "the truck broke down again." "we're having trouble with another install." ad infinitem.

I dunno if they're deliberately trying to play me like a car dealership come-back or not; the wall surrounds are put up in an hour. The vanity in the guest bath goes in quickly too, but it's not the color I ordered. Interestingly, as soon as the final delivery is rendered, the receptionist calls me within two hours asking for total payment.

I retort that the countertops look like factory seconds---dual action sander marks throughout, chips, pits and blemishes (which the workers say they'll cheerfully correct). I lodge a cautionary protest--the countertops need polishing--there are sanding scratches throughout; pits, surface blemishes, and I'd like the workers to come back (as they said they would) if I would only call to request it---but I had to make the request. They came back that Thursday--delayed again-- ("truck broke down again".. at least they called this time) and spent 90 minutes polishing both countertops. Declaring "that's all we can do--if we polish any more to get the scratches out, we'll probably burn through the gel coat." I agree; there's a limit to how much can be polished. However, the scratches are still there, the blemishes and pits are only highlighted by the glossy finish now, and the incorrect color in the guest bathroom is blatantly obvious without the scratch-induced whitish haze of the unpolished/unfinished initial delivery.

A summary of how it ended--after a discussion with the man who gave us the original estimate, I decide to keep the off-color countertop; I ordered "white--to match the toilet and bathtub". He said that is "white"... "it's as white as we make 'em, and no one's ever complained that's not white, even though it doesn't match. Most folks like a little variety so it'll look like marble." (me, I was looking for a Corning-ware type finish that matched the rest of the bathroom accessories) We both agree that his 'white' is not the white I wanted, and though I'll accept it, he seems almost as unhappy that I'm gonna keep it as I am--but what am I gonna do--hunt for another contractor (with an even better reputation??). I've seen what Lowe's and HD contractors can do.. why pay the surcharge for equally poor work?

He subtracts $130 off the total estimate to compensate us for installing shorter wall surrounds than I had ordered--we ordered 6' tall surrounds, they delivered 5' surrounds. I didn't see the surrounds were short until after the first one was installed. The workers were willing to take them back and reorder a new pour, but hell, one was glued in already; it'd taken 2 weeks to get them to deliver... so I "accepted" it.

I don't wanna get anyone fired, so I won't say who said this, but on his way out, one employee parted with... "I'm really sorry about how this turned out." I think it was covered very well at one point by someone--"I can't tell you if the guys are drunk or doped. The Granite guys sure ain't. But we can't seem to find dependable guys"

That's the fack, Jack. I couldn't tell you if the problem was management or worker bee.

It took 2 hours to thoroughly clean the dust, polishing compound, and lamb's wool lint from the mirror, towel racks, walls, sliding glass shower doors; the channels they slide in, the tub, floor, and toilet, and all other horizontal surfaces in the guest bathroom. Tomorrow, the master bath--twice the space and twice the fun. I wonder why they didn't deliver a finished product, instead of finishing it in my house after I complained (and was withholding payment)? And these guys 'have been around' since before Katrina.... that's almost enough to recommend them in and of itself... but I'd never use them again.

I should say-- nothin' but stellar comments and regard for David Jorns, the plumber. On time all the time, calls and updates, return calls, etc., just as one would expect from someone claiming his work is "professional".

[Conveyor Belt]

I hate excuses.

[Hermione]

Thanks for the information, though it induced terrifying flash-backs to my kitchen remodel this fall. I dread the thought of having any kind of work done to my house any more.

[Butterball]

We have an outhouse :smt103

[58ford]

I used floor to ceiling corrugated steel roofing for my tub surround, & soldered up all my fixtures (shower curtain rod, toilet paper holder, towel racks, etc.) from 1" copper pipe & fittings. The light fixtures are industrial "Jelly jar" fixtures filled with colored marbles. You don't have to do what Homes & Gardens says is stylish you can be really creative if you want. Also, mount the shower heads high enough so tall people don't have to stoop, I hate those standard 5' shower heads. Also, it doesn't cast but a few dollars ex tra to mount 2 or even more shower heads, bein' able to move around & hit all the nooks & crannies is great. Also, plumbing your showers/tubs separate from the rest of the house will prevent pressure loss when some bunghole turns on the dishwasher, etc.
And, as far as fixtures, go to Luter's Supply in Tylertown, MS i'ts worth the trip.

Robert Heinlein said, "You can judge the level of advancement of a civilization by the quality of it's bathroom facilities."

[Hermione]

Sounds interesting, Ford. How about a picture?
However, it's hard to do creative stuff when you have to hire everything done. I couldn't even get my tile countertops laid out in an interesting pattern because it added so much to labor, just to have them diagonal.

[ynotme297]

Hermione, I guess I should take this to the avatar thread, but I really like yours. I see that you too like the "Christmas Story" movie.