Most bathroom remodel content online tells you what’s included in the renovation. Almost none of it tells you what should be in the actual quote document sitting in your inbox. That’s where homeowners are in trouble, because a vague one-line number is where scope disputes start. Elite Property Innovations has been writing bathroom remodel quotes in Westminster, Arvada, and Broomfield for more than 25 years, and here’s exactly what a legitimate one should contain, and what ours specifically includes.
What a Legitimate Written Estimate Should Contain
Before you evaluate a single line item, evaluate the document itself. The Federal Trade Commission’s own consumer guidance on avoiding home improvement scams names four things a proper written estimate should include: a description of the work to be done, the materials to be used, a completion date, and the total price. Even in states where a written agreement isn’t legally required, the FTC recommends asking for one anyway and reading it before you sign, and says the contract should list the contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number.
The FTC also lists specific red flags of an illegitimate quote or contractor:
- Pressure for full payment up front, or a cash-only demand
- Pressure for an immediate decision
- Refusal to put anything in writing, no written estimate, no written contract, no written change orders
The FTC also recommends getting more than one estimate, and specifically warns against automatically choosing the lowest bidder.
One detail that’s genuinely different in Colorado: there’s no single statewide general contractor license you can check the way you could in many other states. Licensing here is handled entirely by individual cities and counties, with the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) only licensing specific trades like electrical and plumbing directly. That means a legitimate Colorado quote should be able to state the specific municipal license it holds, since there’s no one state board to verify instead.
What’s Included in Elite Property’s Bathroom Remodel Quote
Getting a bathroom remodel quote can feel like a black box. Here’s what a real quote from Elite Property Innovations includes:
| Included in the Quote | Not Included Unless Discussed Upfront |
|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal of existing fixtures | Custom cabinetry upgrades beyond standard scope |
| Plumbing and electrical rough-in, if the layout changes | Structural changes (moving a wall) |
| Materials: tile, vanity, fixtures, lighting | Permit fees |
| Labor for install, tile work, and finishing | |
| Waterproofing and code-compliant work | |
| Cleanup and final walkthrough |
We always flag anything in that right-hand column before you sign anything, rather than let it show up as a surprise on a change order.
For context on where that price lands, a basic cosmetic refresh (vanity, toilet, fixtures, tile surface, lighting, mirror, no plumbing or layout change) typically runs $5,000-$12,000 nationally. A mid-range remodel with full tile and fixture replacement runs $15,000-$35,000, and a full gut renovation runs $35,000-$60,000. Labor alone typically represents 40-65% of the total, the largest single share of any line item, which is worth knowing when you’re sanity-checking a quote’s breakdown.
Permits and Fees: What Should Be Called Out Separately
Any quote covering structural, electrical, or plumbing work should call out permits and inspections as their own line, stating clearly who pulls the permit and whether the fee is included in your price or billed as a pass-through. Typical Colorado residential permit fees run $50 to $1,000 for a standard remodel, up to $5,000 or more for major work, with Westminster’s own specific fee schedule set by the city.
Fixtures and Efficiency
If your quote itemizes specific fixture brands or models, it’s worth knowing how to check them for efficiency. WaterSense is an EPA certification, which means it’s independently verifiable by checking the fixture’s own packaging or also the spec sheet lists a certification you can confirm directly through the EPA. The same goes for any other efficiency claim on a quote, if a line item cites a certification or a rating, ask to see where it comes from. A contractor who can point you to the source without hesitation is doing exactly what a legitimate quote should.
Financing Options in Your Quote
Just over half of homeowners, 54%, fund a remodeling project with a home equity loan or HELOC, and homeowners nationally spent $427 billion on home improvements in 2025. Elite Property Innovations also offers financing through Hearth Financial, so your quote conversation can include a financed monthly payment alongside the cash price if that’s useful to you. Personal home-improvement loan rates vary daily by credit score, loan amount, and term, so ask for a current rate range rather than relying on a number you saw online.
What to Ask Before You Sign
Beyond what’s itemized in the document itself, a few questions are worth asking any contractor before you commit: Is your license current for this municipality? Are you insured and bonded? What’s the payment schedule, and does it match the work completed? Who’s responsible for pulling permits? What’s your warranty on labor, separate from manufacturer warranties on materials? A contractor who answers all of these clearly, in writing, is doing exactly what the FTC recommends you look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a bathroom remodel quote?
At minimum it should include demolition and disposal, plumbing and electrical rough-in if the layout changes, materials (tile, vanity, fixtures, lighting), labor for install and finishing, waterproofing and code-compliant work, and cleanup. It should also state clearly whether permits are included or billed separately.
What questions should I ask before hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor?
Ask about current municipal licensing, insurance and bonding, the payment schedule, who pulls permits, and the labor warranty. The FTC specifically recommends getting more than one written estimate and reading the contract in full before signing.
What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?
$5,000-$12,000 for a cosmetic refresh with no layout changes, $15,000-$35,000 for a full mid-range remodel, and $35,000-$60,000 for a full gut renovation that changes the layout.
What’s the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
Labor, typically 40-65% of the total cost, the largest single component of any bathroom remodel quote.
The Bottom Line
A real bathroom remodel quote is a document you should be able to read line by line and understand exactly what you’re paying for, not a single number you’re asked to trust. Elite Property Innovations has been writing quotes for bathroom remodeling in Westminster, Arvada, and Broomfield for more than 25 years, and we’re glad to walk through every line of ours before you sign anything.
For a full cost breakdown across every scope tier, see our bathroom remodel cost guide. If your space is on the smaller side, our small bathroom remodel ideas guide is worth reading before your consultation.
Send us photos of your bathroom and we’ll give you a rough quote, then we’ll schedule a consultation if it’s a good fit.
