Plumbing Quote Question (Changing Shower to Diverter) (how much, homes)

[TinyMusic]

Hey all,

I know the obvious and most practical answer is to call up a few plumbers, have them come by, and receive quotes, but I was wondering if there were any plumbers in here or recently had a similar job done for them in their homes:

In my 1925 home, before we moved in, someone updated the bathroom upstairs and replaced the shower head as well as the the bath tub faucet (or whatever you call it), but for some reason left the 3 knobs (1 for hot, 1 for cold, and 1 to toggle between bath & shower). Looks weird too cause the newer hardware is black and these 3 knobs are silver.

My question is: if I wanted to get a plumber in to break up the subway tile, get behind the bathroom sheetrock back there, and replace the 3 knobs with a more modern functional diverter which has a lever as opposed to knobs....how much do you think this would run me (given I would have to replace the subway tile myself). Not sure if this involves cutting the copper (assuming not PEX) pipes and replacing those or whatever they have to do to change it over to a diverter.

What do you think?

Thanks so much

[HudsonCoNJ]

Do you have a general contractor that has done work for you in the past? This doesn’t sound that complicated that you should need a plumber. Plus the contractor would lay the subway tiles back for you. Just a thought.

[peoj]

Recently got quoted $1600 for that. Seemed way too much and didn't go ahead with it and didn't bother to get more quotes. About the tiles, supposedly they'll put a plate over the cut-out part so you don't need to replace the tiles.

[zjack2000]

Can you access the wall behind the shower? If there is an access panel, it can be done without breaking up the tile. But even if not, it can be done from the front without major re-tiling. Basically you have to cut an oval shaped hole that will allow you to replace the three valves. Needs soldering with copper pipe. But it is covered up with a big oval shaped plate.

See this video for more details


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DwVRaLabSg

[MCNJ]

Originally Posted by zjack2000

Can you access the wall behind the shower? If there is an access panel, it can be done without breaking up the tile. But even if not, it can be done from the front without major re-tiling. Basically you have to cut an oval shaped hole that will allow you to replace the three valves. Needs soldering with copper pipe. But it is covered up with a big oval shaped plate.

See this video for more details


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DwVRaLabSg

If there is not access panel and the plumbing is on an interior wall in a closet or hall (etc.), you can cut a hole through that as well.