It would be a separate line item, not included in the tile install cost. I am surprised he didnt take the time to lift the rug or otherwise determine what the condition of the subfloor was. To assume it was on a slab sounds a bit of a stretch to me, but the cost is in line, if he installs the cement board properly. First of all, if the floor is substandard, just adding cement board will do NOTHING to improve the structural strength of the floor, only adding more plywood and/or beefing up the floor joists will do that.
The cost to install the boards on the wall sounds high but I dont know all whats involved to do your particular job. If he has to cut outside and carry the board sup 3 flights then maybe it too is in line. He better tape all the seams and corners with fiberglass mesh tape and coat the tape with modified thinset. This will help in reducing cracks in the grout through the corners and cracks in the tile that span the seams.
If he is using a product called Dens-Shield on the walls then no vapor barrier is needed behind the board. If he is putting up Hardibacker, Durock or similar then yes, a 4 mil plastic drop cloth tacked to the studs should be put in place |
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