Got two wildly different estimates for putting in a bathroom

Posted on September 21, 2026 at 07:43:24 AM by Damaniac

We are thinking of a adding a bathroom in our basement. Specifically, turning some storage area into a full if plain bathroom.

We got one estimate for about 20k. This is a company we worked with and redid our upstairs bath after a leak a couple years ago. We had no complaints about their work.

That sounded good, but wife suggested we get a 2d opinion just for comparison. Found (eventually) a company that came out, and quoted us at 37k.

Something ain't right, right? Like they shouldn't be off that much. I'd be more concerned with the lower offer, but again, we have experience with them.

Any thoughts? Just got a 3td opinion? Talk to them, explain the situation with the other bid, and ask if they have a theory?

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Thread:

Got two wildly different estimates for putting in a bathroom - By Damaniac September 21, 2026 at 07:43:24 AM
- As much as you can, is it an apples to apples comparison? Same size, same equipment, some configurtation?* - By kccambo September 21, 2026 at 01:19:55 PM
- Generally good thoughts below...additionally... - By ajs September 21, 2026 at 10:06:39 AM
- If you've got a positive experience with the first company, I'd have no hesitation with them... - By jfitz September 21, 2026 at 08:29:18 AM
- We had this when we finished our basement. We had two estimates that were in the same ballpark. The third quoted us 3x higher than the others. - By Bluebuck September 21, 2026 at 08:19:22 AM
  - This isn’t uncommon at all. Some places don’t want a job or have the capacity for it. So they’ll wildly overbid. People actually will take them up on it sometimes, so it’s then worth it.* - By toffee September 21, 2026 at 08:28:55 AM
- Some places really don't want to do smaller jobs, so they will give large estimates, and if you are willing to go with them, they will take the money.* - By gvsublue September 21, 2026 at 08:18:34 AM
  - ^^^this*** - By Craig September 21, 2026 at 08:39:33 AM
- Just had a similar situation with roof quotes. Quotes: Company 1 = $48k, Company 2 = $21k, Company 3 = $22k* - By RampantWolverine September 21, 2026 at 08:16:11 AM
- You can putt in my bathroom for free. Just don't take too long about it.* - By jjwalker September 21, 2026 at 08:12:07 AM
- Not uncommon in residential construction / renovation now. One was probably a “make me hire new guys / cancel current work” price. They’re busy as hell.* - By weebay September 21, 2026 at 07:44:58 AM
  - How are companies busy with the current state of the economy? How are people paying for these renos?* - By Rich September 21, 2026 at 08:39:01 AM
  - That's a good point. Second place (high offer) is booked til February.* - By Damaniac September 21, 2026 at 07:45:46 AM
    - Then why not quote closer to $20K but say “but we can’t start until February”?* - By LKLIII September 21, 2026 at 08:01:13 AM
      - No idea what materials, labor, fuel, etc will cost in February, so they have to make sure they're covered.* - By SmilingChewbacca September 21, 2026 at 08:23:08 AM
        
        Plus whatever other jobs they may have lined up* - By harbaughdyssey September 21, 2026 at 08:30:19 AM

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Got two wildly different estimates for putting in a bathroom