Are these prices justified?

Aug 16, 2009
7
Hi!
So I want to add a row of marker tiles to the top edges of pool steps and swim outs. I have 4 steps and about 7 foot long total of 2 bench swim outs. PB says it is not standard and I was thinking ok maybe 250 bucks to add them...um no they want to charge me 1400 dollars for a few hours of work and a couple of tiles that are probably left over anyway...went on and on about ya extra work the plaster guy had to do which I believe is nonsense.
Also they want to upcharge me 7000 dollars to go from plain plaster to stonescapes aqua cool color. Am I getting heisted here?
 
Once you sign a contract your builder loves change orders since there is nothing really you can do about it. I am not sure why he is saying that is not standard for the marker tiles. It is a safety issue as swimmers need to see underwater obstacles. Regardless of the price I would have this done. Mine was included as part of my install. $7k seems like a big upcharge for different plaster. But again, change order.

1662118973884.png
 
Hi!
So I want to add a row of marker tiles to the top edges of pool steps and swim outs. I have 4 steps and about 7 foot long total of 2 bench swim outs. PB says it is not standard and I was thinking ok maybe 250 bucks to add them...um no they want to charge me 1400 dollars for a few hours of work and a couple of tiles that are probably left over anyway...went on and on about ya extra work the plaster guy had to do which I believe is nonsense.
Also they want to upcharge me 7000 dollars to go from plain plaster to stonescapes aqua cool color. Am I getting heisted here?
Don’t know for sure, but it’s true that plastering around tile is a lot more work. For reference, I got two quotes for replacing the tile around my pool and both are in the $4500 range. It’s different tile application but still a reference.

With inflation like it is, any change is likely to be very expensive. If they bid it months ago and prices have gone up, then you get to pay the now higher price. Strangely enough, my plaster quotes came back with plain white plaster and diamondbrite being about $1200 difference in a 27k gallon pool.
 
I disagree about the extra work. I'd say marker tiles helps the plaster crew since it sets the thickness for the plaster. They run the trowel over the marker tiles and instant correct plaster thickness. I don't think this is much extra work for the plaster crew. And I can assure you, he is not paying them extra when there are marker tiles. Really it is just extra work for the tile guy. Maybe 30 minutes extra at most.
 
Once you sign a contract your builder loves change orders since there is nothing really you can do about it. I am not sure why he is saying that is not standard for the marker tiles. It is a safety issue as swimmers need to see underwater obstacles. Regardless of the price I would have this done. Mine was included as part of my install. $7k seems like a big upcharge for different plaster. But again, change order.

View attachment 450933
Yep that looks great. They are doing the work today. Thank you
 
Don’t know for sure, but it’s true that plastering around tile is a lot more work. For reference, I got two quotes for replacing the tile around my pool and both are in the $4500 range. It’s different tile application but still a reference.

With inflation like it is, any change is likely to be very expensive. If they bid it months ago and prices have gone up, then you get to pay the now higher price. Strangely enough, my plaster quotes came back with plain white plaster and diamondbrite being about $1200 difference in a 27k gallon pool.
Thanks. I might go with diamond Brite quartz instead of stonescapes. Need a quote on that gold dust lol. I don’t know if We will like pebbles under our feet.
 
On ours, the step markers were additional, as were three little accent turtles on the tanning ledge. We negotiated at initial pricing vs after contract.

The turtle accents were set by the tile guy a day or two before plaster. The step markers were set by the plaster crew. The additional price for both seemed high, so we negotiated...
 
I disagree about the extra work. I'd say marker tiles helps the plaster crew since it sets the thickness for the plaster. They run the trowel over the marker tiles and instant correct plaster thickness. I don't think this is much extra work for the plaster crew. And I can assure you, he is not paying them extra when there are marker tiles. Really it is just extra work for the tile guy. Maybe 30 minutes extra at most.
Totally agree.
 

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