Expected costs for Interior Renovation - 2020

[Derek Lukas]

I have a small 9 unit apartment community that I am helping to manage. We are currently looking for a contractor or subs that can complete an interior remodel on one of the vacant 1 bedroom 1 bath units that measures 412 sq ft. I have received four bids for this work that range anywhere from $14k to 25k. All but the highest bid are from unlicensed contractors. Is this expected pricing for the Tucson, AZ area? 

The scope of work is inclusive of only a handful of materials (leveling compound, bonding agent, cement board, vapor barrier, tape, red guard, grout, thinset, sheetrock, firring strips, mud, fasteners, old work boxes, light switches, duplex receptacles, and cover plates) and all labor. Major items in the renovation include:

• Level floors, Lay new peel and stick vinyl throughout
• Remove wall heater from bedroom
• Re-sheetrock in living room to smooth out wall (tie control thermostat wires in wall to provide power on roof)
• Install new plumbing runs throughout
• Install new drain lines where applicable
• Install water line and in-wall box for refrigerator ice maker
• Install new tub
• Install new tile shower surround
• Move over all light switches away from door trim
• Run wire to two new living room lights, install three way switch outside of bedroom and exterior patio door
• Install new light and wall switch in bedroom closet
• Move bedroom door 6-7 inches to the south to allow construction of half wall
• Demo existing living room closet and construct half wall (replumb gas and electrical as required)
• Demo kitchen cabinets, pantry and counter
• Install sheet-rock over water damaged hardboard in bathroom and bedrooms
• Interior Paint throughout
• Install new bathroom vanity
• Install new bathroom light
• Install new kitchen light
• Install new cabinets
• Install new granite counter tops
• Install new AC registers (bedroom and bathroom)
• Install new toilet
• Install three (3) new six-panel doors (bedroom, closet, bathroom)
• Install new outlets and covers
• Install new switches and covers

Again, my four estimates for this work range from $14,000 to 25,000 and would complete in 2-3 weeks. The owner will be providing the majority of materials estimated at $4,800 (cabinets, vanities, mirror, light fixtures, faucets, toilet, flooring, baseboards, tub, tile for shower surround, vanities, pre-hung and slab doors, door trim, granite, under mount sink, etc). 

This means that labor pricing is anywhere from $44 to 61 per square foot for almost a full renovation, sans re-running electrical and tearing all walls down to the studs. Another way to look at this is on a per hour basis... 240 to 300 man hours of work, so $47 to $83 per hour. Isn't this crazy?? What is everyone else paying for their jobs?