Kitchen and bathroom remodels bundle demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinets, counters, tile and finishes — often with allowances that hide the real cost. GenuineRate checks each line against typical prices in your metro and flags vague allowances and missing permits.
Every line is compared with typical installed prices for your metro. You get what's high, what's missing, questions to ask, and a polite message to send.
Common overcharges
Low allowances
Allowances for fixtures, tile or cabinets that are unrealistically low make a bid look cheap — then the real choices cost far more. Compare allowances across bids.
Change-order pricing not agreed
Ask how changes are priced (cost plus a markup, or a fixed rate) before work starts.
Permits and inspections missing
Moving plumbing or adding circuits needs permits in most places. A bid without them isn't comparable.
Payment schedule front-loaded
Payments should follow progress (demo done, rough-in inspected, cabinets installed), not mostly up front.
A mid-range kitchen remodel of about 150 sq ft typically costs $25,000–$50,000, more if the layout changes.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
A mid-range full bathroom remodel usually runs $12,000–$30,000. Moving the toilet or shower and custom tile work push it higher.
What is an allowance in a remodeling bid?
A placeholder budget for items you haven't chosen yet (tile, lighting, faucets). If your choices cost more, you pay the difference — so check the allowances are realistic.
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