Hiring the right bathroom remodeling company can be stressful. Many homeowners collect multiple quotes and follow what seems like conventional wisdom—choose the middle bid. But that advice isn’t always sound. Price alone isn’t a guarantee of quality, and sometimes the lowest or even middle bid can come from someone unqualified. That’s exactly how Raju and his wife, Anika, ended up calling Buffalo Bath Pros.
Raju hired a handyman “independent contractor” referred through a family friend. A talented independent contractor is worth their weight in gold—but often, rock-bottom prices should raise an eyebrow. Raju brought this contractor in to renovate an existing wet space (which we never actually saw), but after getting in over his head, the contractor abandoned the job entirely and stopped returning calls.
After a quick call with our project manager, Jen Hugill, Raju scheduled an in-person visit for the following day. Jen explained our process, encouraged him to read some of our job write-ups, and reviewed product options to help set expectations.
The existing space was a complete disaster. Short of a job we remediated in Amherst the year prior, this was probably the worst repair we’d been asked to address. That said, it was nothing we couldn’t handle—but these jobs take more time and are more expensive. We have to undo someone else’s mistakes before we can even begin.
Raju wasn’t looking for the cheapest option. He and his wife, Anika, lived in a beautiful home and had already experienced how cutting corners can backfire. Raju, a medical doctor, had done his research. Still, when Jen came out to take measurements and present materials, Raju asked about pricing flexibility. If you’re a homeowner reading this, and you’ve met with one of our project managers, you’ve likely heard our slogan: “First Price, Best Price.” We offer honest service at an honest price. The price presented at sit-down is non-negotiable. We don’t play pricing games like many companies in Upstate NY. Our bid includes everything up front. We don’t raise prices later unless the homeowner adds extras not included in the agreement.
Raju and Anika appreciated the transparency. The scope was substantial: full demo of the previous contractor’s work, rebuilding a massive 79″ x 42″ shower, installing a built-in bench, and running plumbing for a rain head. Raju had already purchased a Kohler full-body valve system, which he was eager to use. While we typically avoid homeowner-supplied products due to warranty limitations, we agreed to install the system to manufacturer specifications—while clearly noting that we couldn’t troubleshoot or warranty the product. We also recommended upsizing his 1/2″ supply lines to 3/4″, as required for this type of system, but Raju declined.
Our lead technician, James Gray, and his assistant, Eric, arrived early on a Monday. The install itself went smoothly. There were no major hiccups, and the job wrapped up in just under a week. Everything looked great, and the homeowners were initially thrilled.
But a few days later, we got a call: the shower had temperature regulation issues. James returned and spent two full days working with Kohler tech support. Everything on our end was done correctly—Kohler suspected a defective valve. Understandably frustrated, Raju requested a second opinion.
We referred him to Reimer Plumbing and offered to pay for any corrections if James had made an error.
But James hadn’t.
Reimer’s four-hour diagnostic (totaling $2,200) uncovered several systemic plumbing issues: undersized supply lines, no in-line expansion tanks, and two aging water heaters unable to deliver consistent volume. Their recommendation? Upgrade to 3/4″ supply lines, replace the water heaters, and install expansion tanks—all things we had advised from the beginning.
Even though the issues weren’t on us, we agreed to split the bill to help move the project to a positive resolution.
Raju acknowledged the root cause was system-related—not a flaw in our work. To our knowledge, with the upgraded plumbing, the shower is now working perfectly.
Take a look at the photos. The result is beautiful and functional. But if you’re a homeowner planning a remodel, let this story be a reminder: when we make a recommendation, it’s not to pad a quote—it’s because we’ve seen it all before, and we’re trying to save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
If you’re in Batavia, Rochester, or the Greater Buffalo area and need a reputable bathroom remodeling company with a track record of honesty and craftsmanship, give Buffalo Bath Pros a call at (716) 216-5794. We’re here to do it right the first time.