What is a fair price for this?

Although of course (assuming nothing more happens to apt in 2012) I'd be the one getting screwed not the insurance company...

Bernie,

I assume he also has to fix the wall behind the tile? It does seem high. You might be able to get a handyman to do it for around $600.00

Primer:the wall is OK. These are floor tiles.
Does that change your viewpoint? Thanks

Also, Primer: is negotiating price common when with working with contractors? Or would this be akin to negotating price with your heart surgeon. ;) ?

That's an insane price for installing 6 tiles. And what is a contractor in residence? Also why isn't the coop paying for damage to your unit caused by their work on the steam pipe?

Talk to your building's mgmt. It is possible they will cover reinstalling the tiles. Technically most coops cover only to the 'skin' of walls and floors for repairs for which they are responsible but it cannot hurt to ask in this case. Especially if you are OK with covering the cost of the new material yourself.

Meanwhile, there is nothing wrong with negotiating with the contractor. $1,200 sounds high to me to lay down six tiles, especially if it is not necessary to do any additional prep to the subfloor.

Souns like:

1. the Coop is legally responsible for repairing the damage. It's a
standard term of all Coop leases

2. your contractor is trying to excavate your bank account

Bernie,

To put in in perspective i just quoted a client $1,500.00 to remove their vanity and toilet, rip up the existing tile and install owner supplied floor tile. Re-install the toilet and vanity.

To install 6 tiles should be far less then you were quoted. It is not offensive at all in trying to negotiate with a contractor.

>>1. the Coop is legally responsible for repairing the damage. It's a
standard term of all Coop leases<<

Not exactly true. Check your individual proprietary lease but generally in an in-wall pipe repair/replacement the co-op is only responsible for restoring up to the skin of the unit, which means to the wall/sub-floor. Generally things like replacing tile or other floor finishes are not covered. But again, do speak to your managing agent. Sometimes if the finishes are 'original' the co-op will cover repair/replacement of same.

I would be seriously tempted to DIY.

'..is negotiating price with contractors akin to negotating price with your heart surgeon?'

NOT negotiating with contractors would be like NOT negotiating with used car salesman.

Thanks for the input all, esp. Primer.

Bramstar: Management said coop policy is to cover everything except the re-tiling. I left this out above but they also had to excavate in my LR under the radiator (original pre-war floors) and also create a small hole between the LR and BR wall. They said and indeed did do a good job repairing all the above, including repainting actually. It sounds like they more or less follwed the guidelines you have laid out re repairing what is original. So while I have not read the full Prop Lease I think the Management Company / Coop has done right by me.

It's the contractor "associated with the Coop" who is trying to rip me off. I'll either negotiate him lower or go elsewhere. I do have a friend who is a contractor in Connecticut who owes me a favor... do you think the Coop will let "he and I" do it? He's not licensed in NY.

Tough call Bernie123 but if it is just installing a couple of tiles I think you can have your friend come over and install them.

I'd call in the favor. Unless your friend uses a wet saw in your apartment to cut the replacement tiles (it's a little loud), nobody will notice a thing.

You can even read up at JohnBridge.com and help your friend out.