My husband and I are planning to remodel our en suite bathroom. Slabaugh was the first company I…read morecontacted because I live nearby, and I had been following their work on Facebook. Although I was concerned that much of their work, though seemingly well done, was all very similar and somewhat generic (all gray and white), I know that's trendy now, and I figured I'd seek some reassurance that individual (and more creative) tastes could be accommodated.
I spoke to the project manager who was responsive enough ... at first. He asked what I was looking for in a contractor and explained the process from design to installation. Everything sounded exactly like what we were looking for.
And then ...
I asked what the average cost for an en suite bath was. I had already done my research, which revealed that the average cost ranges from $18,000 to $25,000 (according to HomeAdvisor). Because of supply issues, I expected Slabaugh's answer to be a bit higher, but I certainly did not expect the project manager to quote a cost double that! He told me that I could expect to pay just under $60,000! I should also note that this estimate was provided without actually seeing the space.
When I expressed surprise by this number, I was NOT provided with any explanation. I wasn't told that supply chain issues had increased the cost by 100% or that they used only top tier materials. There was no explanation about paying subcontractors or difficulty in finding qualified workers. Instead, I could almost hear the shrug over the phone as the project manager said, "Maybe we're not the right fit for you," a comment I found dismissive and condescending."
Even so, I suggested that maybe my husband and I could stop by the showroom. I was thinking that perhaps I could get a more satisfactory explanation in person. That's when I found out that's it's only open four days a week until 5 and not at all on weekends. As someone who has a job, I explained that those times didn't work with my schedule. "People work," I said. "What do they do?" He silently shrugged again. "They take the time off."
So, if you're looking to spend $20,000 more than you have to, if you want want to be dismissed and condescended to, if you want to adjust your schedule to the company you're hiring, then this might be the company for you.
I, on the other hand, found a much more pleasant company with which to work, whose quote (after seeing the space) has come in at between $30,000 and $40,000. The company is still very local and has an amazing showroom. So far, they've been easy to work with and they treat me like I actually matter.