u/lolgrim

TLDR: Apologies in advance if this is the wrong subreddit! I'm in the middle of a small bathroom remodel in NYC and could use a sanity check from you fine folk around an additive charge for waterproofing in a post-demo change order when there was previously language for it in the original scope.

Context: We originally signed a scope for a shower-to-curbless-shower change order. The original scope text for the Curbless Shower order is: > ### Shower to Curbless Shower:

1. Build floor foundation in order to accommodate curbless shower.
2. Build proper waterproof lead/vinyl base foundation on entire bathroom floor perimeter in order to accommodate new curbless shower stall design.
3. Complete leveling of existing foundation to accommodate new curbless shower.
4. Patch and repair where needed.

> ##### Costs > - Construction & Labor: $ 3,475.00 > - Plumbing: $ 1,465.00 > - Building Materials: $ 1,785.

Unfortunate after demo, complications arose immediately. The biggest one was that we found rust/mold on the existing framing behind the tiled shower wall (the building is new construction so that's a whole other thing to deal with), so that wall needs to be fully rebuilt. There were also complications with our planned wall-hung toilet because an air duct for the floor below runs behind that wall, plus some other floor/subfloor issues, etc.

Basically now the contractor is proposing a large post-demo change order, and one of the items is a separate waterproofing charge with the following text:

> ### Waterproofing Bathroom Floor:

1. Complete preparation of Bathroom floor to secure moisture.
2. Supply and install Laticrete 9235 Liquid Waterproofing Membrane System throughout the bathroom landing 6” upturn at all walls

> ##### Costs: > - Construction & Labor: $ 3,875.00 > - Building Materials: $ 875.00

> ### Waterproofing Bathroom Shower Walls:

1. Complete preparation of shower walls to the ceiling to secure moisture.
2. Supply and spread Laticrete 9235 Liquid Waterproofing Membrane System throughout the shower walls up to the ceiling as per building request.

> ##### Costs: > - Construction & Labor: $ 5,750.00 > - Building Materials: $ 2,355.00

When I asked why the floor waterproofing wasn't already covered by the curbless shower change order, they replied that the two items are separate:

> For waterproofing, I understand the confusion regarding the curbless shower change order versus the bathroom floor and wall waterproofing change order. These are two separate scope items performed at different stages of construction.

> The first step occurs after the subfloor has been prepared/poured. At this stage, a liquid waterproofing membrane is applied throughout the bathroom floor area, including a 6-inch upturn at all wall perimeters, creating a continuous waterproof barrier designed to protect against moisture intrusion beneath the finished tile surface.

> The second step involves the structural modification required for the curbless shower installation. Because a curbless shower requires the shower floor to be recessed and properly sloped for drainage without a raised curb, additional floor preparation and foundation work are necessary. During this phase, a lead or vinyl shower pan liner is also installed beneath the tile assembly as an added layer of protection against water penetration and leaks.

> This combination of full-floor waterproofing and localized shower pan protection is commonly used in curbless shower installations, where water exposure extends beyond the traditional shower boundary.

I understand the general logic that a liquid membrane and a lead/vinyl pan liner are different systems installed at different stages, that's not surprising. I also understand that waterproofing the shower walls to the ceiling is probably distinct What I am less clear on is the bathroom floor. Since the signed curbless change order specifically said "waterproof lead/vinyl base foundation on entire bathroom floor perimeter," it feels like there is at least some overlap with the new full-floor waterproofing charge, even if the Laticrete liquid membrane is technically a different system.

So essentially my questions are:

• Does the contractor's distinction make sense here?
• Is it normal to price the curbless pan/foundation waterproofing and full-floor liquid membrane waterproofing as fully separate items?
• Given the original wording, should the new floor waterproofing be treated as an entirely new charge, or more like an upgrade/expansion from already-included waterproofing with some kind of credit or offset?

I'm trying to figure out whether this is a real/necessary scope distinction, shady contract wording, or actually just stacking new charges in the post-demo scope on top of work that was already paid for.

TLDR: Apologies in advance if this is the wrong subreddit! I'm in the middle of a small bathroom remodel in NYC and could use a sanity check from you fine folk around an additive charge for waterproofing in a post-demo change order when there was previously language for it in the original scope.

Context: We originally signed a scope for a shower-to-curbless-shower change order. The original scope text for the Curbless Shower order is: > ### Shower to Curbless Shower:

1. Build floor foundation in order to accommodate curbless shower.
2. Build proper waterproof lead/vinyl base foundation on entire bathroom floor perimeter in order to accommodate new curbless shower stall design.
3. Complete leveling of existing foundation to accommodate new curbless shower.
4. Patch and repair where needed.

> ##### Costs > - Construction & Labor: $ 3,475.00 > - Plumbing: $ 1,465.00 > - Building Materials: $ 1,785.

Unfortunate after demo, complications arose immediately. The biggest one was that we found rust/mold on the existing framing behind the tiled shower wall (the building is new construction so that's a whole other thing to deal with), so that wall needs to be fully rebuilt. There were also complications with our planned wall-hung toilet because an air duct for the floor below runs behind that wall, plus some other floor/subfloor issues, etc.

Basically now the contractor is proposing a large post-demo change order, and one of the items is a separate waterproofing charge with the following text:

> ### Waterproofing Bathroom Floor:

1. Complete preparation of Bathroom floor to secure moisture.
2. Supply and install Laticrete 9235 Liquid Waterproofing Membrane System throughout the bathroom landing 6” upturn at all walls

> ##### Costs: > - Construction & Labor: $ 3,875.00 > - Building Materials: $ 875.00

> ### Waterproofing Bathroom Shower Walls:

1. Complete preparation of shower walls to the ceiling to secure moisture.
2. Supply and spread Laticrete 9235 Liquid Waterproofing Membrane System throughout the shower walls up to the ceiling as per building request.

> ##### Costs: > - Construction & Labor: $ 5,750.00 > - Building Materials: $ 2,355.00

When I asked why the floor waterproofing wasn't already covered by the curbless shower change order, they replied that the two items are separate:

> For waterproofing, I understand the confusion regarding the curbless shower change order versus the bathroom floor and wall waterproofing change order. These are two separate scope items performed at different stages of construction.

> The first step occurs after the subfloor has been prepared/poured. At this stage, a liquid waterproofing membrane is applied throughout the bathroom floor area, including a 6-inch upturn at all wall perimeters, creating a continuous waterproof barrier designed to protect against moisture intrusion beneath the finished tile surface.

> The second step involves the structural modification required for the curbless shower installation. Because a curbless shower requires the shower floor to be recessed and properly sloped for drainage without a raised curb, additional floor preparation and foundation work are necessary. During this phase, a lead or vinyl shower pan liner is also installed beneath the tile assembly as an added layer of protection against water penetration and leaks.

> This combination of full-floor waterproofing and localized shower pan protection is commonly used in curbless shower installations, where water exposure extends beyond the traditional shower boundary.

I understand the general logic that a liquid membrane and a lead/vinyl pan liner are different systems installed at different stages, that's not surprising. I also understand that waterproofing the shower walls to the ceiling is probably distinct What I am less clear on is the bathroom floor. Since the signed curbless change order specifically said "waterproof lead/vinyl base foundation on entire bathroom floor perimeter," it feels like there is at least some overlap with the new full-floor waterproofing charge, even if the Laticrete liquid membrane is technically a different system.

So essentially my questions are:

• Does the contractor's distinction make sense here?
• Is it normal to price the curbless pan/foundation waterproofing and full-floor liquid membrane waterproofing as fully separate items?
• Given the original wording, should the new floor waterproofing be treated as an entirely new charge, or more like an upgrade/expansion from already-included waterproofing with some kind of credit or offset?

I'm trying to figure out whether this is a real/necessary scope distinction, shady contract wording, or actually just stacking new charges in the post-demo scope on top of work that was already paid for.