Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Times, They Are A-Changing.

Our 5th wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. So, I said to my husband who had broached the topic of anniversary gifts, "I don't want jewelry or anything. No flowers." Of course he thinks it's a trap.

I continue, "Just tile. New tile for the 3rd floor bath."

This tile. (Recognize it? It's this brand new tile called "Subway tile." Heh.)

And the showerhead.

And this tile for the shower floor:


It'll look something like this:


It's going to be a surprisingly pricey little project. It's only a stall shower but the floor tiles need replacing and the pan needs replacing (and the plumbing fixtures and the ceiling light) and cement backerboard will likely need to be added. In fact, when I called the tile guy about the price he said he was sharpening his pencil so I didn't have sticker shock. That's never a good thing.

One week later I received two quotes: $3500 and $5100; not including plumbing, electrical or any fixtures or tile. For a stall shower. Zoiks.

He totally would have gotten off easier with Tiffany.

Because we have an old house, it's a job that needs to be done anyway. The tile is crazing and the grout is cracking and I don't want to wait until water has dribbled down through all three floors before we do something.

The basketweave floor tile is $65/foot for honed marble at my local tile store. I need 12 sq. ft. That's $800 just for the floor tile in a bathroom nobody sees. What's a girl to do? Go to my friend eBay where I found it for $11.75/sq. ft. I just got it and it's perfect!! How is that possible?

Don't ask, don't tell - that's my motto regarding deals on tile.

19 comments:

David said...

I read the first sentence of that paragraph on the price per square foot and was screaming "EBAY EBAY" but then I see you found it. Whew!

The seller I have bookmarked also has subway tile in the same marble...

hello gorgeous said...

Yum. Marble subway tile.

(I heard you screaming eBay, eBay, btw. So, thanks.)

Designers' Brew said...

NICE JOB!!

Raina Cox said...

That's going to be (hello) gorgeous!

P.S. I don't hate subway tile, just how some people act like it + white cabinets + Carrara counters = the BEST THING EVER in kitchen design.

Anonymous said...

Good score!

I do so love Ebay.

Anonymous said...

So now the question is, are you getting jewelry since you saved so much money on the tile? Not that I would suggest such a thing.

Pam Kersting said...

Happy Anniversary! And many more, too. WoW! Big price for a small room. Now remember, contractors are hungry these days for work. So shop around -- get several bids for the installation, and by all means, check there references! Nothing you didn't already know. Now that you've shown us the before, be sure to post the after! Good luck!

Pam Kersting said...

GADS! I just reread my post and am so humilated over my grammatical/spelling error. Please forgive the error of my ways! Of course I know the correct word was "their."

Anonymous said...

Way to go on the ebay deal. I always forget to price check. I'm such a instant gratification junkie. This is a good reminder for me to do due diligence. Hope the project goes well. And Happy Anniversary in advance!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Ebay! I found gorgeous tiles for my kitchen backsplash for only $15/foot on ebay after stressing over nearly $60/foot tiles that were identical. That subway tile with the basketweave looks awesome.

Raina Cox said...

Obama is a peach.

Anonymous said...

Yes ma'am. This is some fine-looking tile.

evencleveland said...

That tile ... especially the basketweave ...

!!!

Way better than jewelry. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Happy anniversary, indeed.

wool and misc said...

"It's this brand new tile called "Subway tile." "


HAHAHA, you're so funny. Subway tiles is my absolute favorite. I want grey for my kitchen backsplash, or red.

wool and misc said...

DOH, just read Raina's comment...hee!

Anonymous said...

i have that same basket weave tile on my bathroom floor- $10 sq. foot from "the tile shop"- consider using a light gray grout (no sand). Installed it last year- a pain, but so worth it. I also paired it with subway tile.

kadler said...

I'm so in love with subway tile. let us know what it looks like when it's done!!

hello gorgeous said...

Thanks, anon. I asked our tile guy - the one who's been doing tile for 25 years whether you need to use unsanded and he said no.

And his price was too high. Good thing, I guess. He also wanted the chance to reduce his price. The noive.

Brilliant Asylum said...

Good work on finding a deal. Our old home bathrooms are in need of the same, but I am not sure I can stomach the sticker shock right now.

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