THE ESTIMATING ANSWER
For one existing shower footprint, start with a defined scope and measurement basis. Measure the finished opening, threshold, drain offset and surround overlap before ordering a base. Identify the base, waste assembly and any wall-repair allowance separately. Price the listed tasks separately and state the condition that would require a revision: Wet subfloor or incompatible drain geometry is a change trigger after removal.
This guide uses a fictional project in Halifax, Nova Scotia: One existing shower footprint. Its matching estimate and PDF give each scope decision a visible CAD cost line. Use the document to understand the structure; verify the actual building, product schedule, labour and supplier inputs before preparing a client quote.
1. Define the measured job
Remove a leaking shower base and install a selected new base in the existing enclosure footprint, reconnecting to a suitable drain. Retain sound wall finishes where possible. Measure the finished opening, threshold, drain offset and surround overlap before ordering a base. Record the measurements and existing condition in the estimate before turning quantities into line items. The scope should make clear why this is a separate project from a broader renovation or maintenance quote.
Measurement basis: Measure the finished opening, threshold, drain offset and surround overlap before ordering a base.
2. Build a product and labour schedule
Identify the base, waste assembly and any wall-repair allowance separately. This example has 7 distinct lines, including protection and enclosure removal, old base removal, new base allowance. Use actual supplier prices and labour inputs for a customer job; the displayed amounts are fictional document inputs.
Selections to confirm: Identify the base, waste assembly and any wall-repair allowance separately.
3. Sequence the work and handoffs
Sequence enclosure removal, base inspection, waterproofing and reinstatement so each trade knows the handoff. Show which task depends on access, a selected product or another trade. If that dependency is still open, label the price preliminary and identify the information needed before a firm quote.
Work sequence: Sequence enclosure removal, base inspection, waterproofing and reinstatement so each trade knows the handoff.
4. Set a change boundary
Wet subfloor or incompatible drain geometry is a change trigger after removal. The example excludes full shower wall rebuild, structural floor repair or fixture relocation. Record the discovery, agree the revised work and update the estimate before adding it to the job.
If the job changes: Wet subfloor or incompatible drain geometry is a change trigger after removal.
Review the Canadian job address
Verify the existing water, waste and fixture connections on site. Confirm who handles any required trade work, approvals and inspections for this address; this fictional document does not decide them.
Count the actual units, site visits and selected products separately. A count in this example is a document input, not a substitute for inspecting the real property. The example amounts are fictional CAD document inputs, not current rates for Halifax, Nova Scotia or another community. A site visit and current supplier information are needed to replace them.
Work through the itemized calculation
Check each extension of quantity and rate in the paired PDF. Two lines from this project are:
- Old base removal: 1 each × C$300.00 = C$300.00.
- New base allowance: 1 each × C$815.00 = C$815.00.
Adding all 7 rounded line amounts gives C$2,500.00. The PDF shows 0% tax and the same total before any markup. The sample shows 0% tax only to make the arithmetic visible. Determine any applicable GST, HST or PST and markup for the actual work before sharing a quote.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection and enclosure removal | 1 job | C$215.00 | C$215.00 |
| Old base removal | 1 each | C$300.00 | C$300.00 |
| New base allowance | 1 each | C$815.00 | C$815.00 |
| Waste connection allowance | 1 set | C$170.00 | C$170.00 |
| Base fitting labour | 1 each | C$515.00 | C$515.00 |
| Perimeter waterproofing and seal | 1 job | C$310.00 | C$310.00 |
| Cleanup and disposal | 1 job | C$175.00 | C$175.00 |
| Illustrative subtotal | C$2,500.00 | ||
Scope and pricing boundaries
Remove a leaking shower base and install a selected new base in the existing enclosure footprint, reconnecting to a suitable drain. Retain sound wall finishes where possible.
Outside this example: No full shower wall rebuild, structural floor repair or fixture relocation.
Keep the product allowance, installation work and any unresolved condition visible as separate decisions. If access or the selected product changes, update the affected quantity or rate and explain the revision before the client relies on the estimate.
Before you send the estimate
- Measure the finished opening, threshold, drain offset and surround overlap before ordering a base.
- Identify the base, waste assembly and any wall-repair allowance separately.
- Sequence enclosure removal, base inspection, waterproofing and reinstatement so each trade knows the handoff.
- Wet subfloor or incompatible drain geometry is a change trigger after removal.
Check the business, client, property, dates, line extensions and notes. The shower base replacement PDF example shows one way to present them. Its short PDF note lists the brief's scope exclusions; the fuller project limits above should guide your own scope.
Questions about this estimate
Which quantity controls this shower base replacement estimate?
Measure the finished opening, threshold, drain offset and surround overlap before ordering a base.
When should this shower base replacement quote be revised?
Wet subfloor or incompatible drain geometry is a change trigger after removal. No full shower wall rebuild, structural floor repair or fixture relocation.
MAKE THE NEXT ESTIMATE YOUR OWN
Build a shower base replacement estimate.
Enter the job scope in Estimates on iPhone or Android or start from an AI-assisted draft. Check every quantity, rate, allowance, client detail and note before exporting the PDF. Some app features may require an in-app purchase.
