A third of this quote was allowances — money set aside for products nobody had chosen yet. Allowances are normal. Allowances without a per-item number, a spec grade, and a written change-order threshold are how a $27,500 bathroom becomes a $36,000 bathroom.
"Allowance for tile, vanity, fixtures, and lighting: $9,000."
One pooled allowance hides which item is underfunded. You find out at the showroom, after demo, when switching contractors is no longer realistic.
What to ask: Please break the allowance into per-item numbers — tile, vanity, faucet, shower valve, toilet, lighting — with the grade each number assumes.
"Tile shower walls and pan."
The waterproofing behind the tile is the entire lifespan of the shower and it becomes invisible the day it's covered. Cement board with no membrane and a proper bonded system look identical when tiled.
What to ask: Which waterproofing system are you installing behind the tile and at the pan, and is it installed to the manufacturer's warranty requirements?
"Additional work billed at prevailing rates."
Without a dollar threshold and a written-approval requirement, small discoveries get billed without a conversation and you see them at the end.
What to ask: Can we add: no work over $500 proceeds without my written approval, with a price given before the work starts?
"Relocate plumbing as needed."
"As needed" moves the definition of the job to the person billing for it, and drain relocation in a joisted floor is one of the biggest hidden costs in a bathroom.
What to ask: Which fixtures are moving, how far, and is any joist work or subfloor patching included in the quoted price?
"Install new exhaust fan."
An undersized fan or one vented into the attic instead of outside is a mold problem you'll pay for twice.
What to ask: What CFM is the fan, and where does the duct terminate — roof, soffit, or wall?
"Includes demo, dumpster, floor protection, and daily cleanup."
These are commonly stripped out to make a bid look lower. Their presence makes this quote more comparable to the others than it first appears.
What to ask: No action needed.
Thanks for the quote. Before I sign, could you send: 1) the $9,000 allowance broken out per item with the grade each assumes, 2) the waterproofing system you install behind the shower tile and at the pan, 3) which fixtures are being relocated and whether joist or subfloor work is included, 4) the exhaust fan CFM and where the duct terminates, and 5) a change-order clause requiring my written approval for anything over $500?
What happened: The homeowner got each allowance broken out per item, added a written $500 change-order approval threshold, and got the waterproofing system named before signing.
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Home Project Copilot provides AI-assisted informational analysis based on the information submitted by the homeowner. It does not provide professional engineering, architectural, legal, inspection, construction, or code-compliance advice and does not certify the quality or compliance of any contractor's work. Homeowners should consult appropriately licensed professionals when necessary.