The other day I answered a referral to give an estimate on a bathroom remodel. At the prospect's home I was led to finished basement with a 4ft X 8ft bathroom.  He wanted the lavatory moved to the opposite end of the room to make space for a 32" deep X 48" wide ceramic tile shower with a frame-less, glass door.  I showed him some tile samples and went over the process of the project. The next day was Saturday.  He and his wife shopped for three different tiles, one for the shower floor pan, one for the shower walls and another for the bathroom floor. 

Once I knew the square foot values of his selections, I finished the estimate and emailed it.  In the first conversation, he articulated what his preferences in terms of design and insisted on a quality shower valve and coordinated pattern consisting of three different tiles.  When we spoke after he received the estimate, he expressed some disappointment that his expectations didn't meet the preconceived budget.  He only became more flustered when I tried to convince him to downgrade the design and materials he wanted, as a way of meeting his budget.  The difference between his budget and my lowest estimate for what he wanted was about $750.00 dollars.  The contrast in appearance was the plainness of a fiberglass prefab shower unit with sliding door and the distinguishable coordinated pattern of cut and grouted porcelain and travertine tile, with a frame-less, chrome hinged, glass door. 

The reality IS, that their is a threshold at which a small space (or any space) can be visually recreated.  As one is considering the cost difference in such matters, what is it that a person is really buying and what is the worth in terms of the everlasting impression?  Because what is left when the contractor sweeps the floor, is an object that is hopefully unique in it's character, expressed in it's overall contours, patterns and tones.