Security Door Estimate


I just got an estimate for an iron security gate/door for under the stoop from someone who’s done ironwork for me in the past and I’ve been extremely happy with his work.

The door would be a popular diamond pattern instead of straight bars (we’re landmarked so we have to) and would be curved at the top to accommodate the top of the frame.

The estimate is $3,700, which seems very high because it’s almost 3 times what we paid for a straight-bar gate for the back door.

Does this seem totally out of whack, or normal? I know it’s impossible for you to really judge an estimate with so little info, but does that seem totally weird, or within reason? I’m wiling to pay a little extra for someone whose work I really like, but don’t want to be taken advantage of.

Categories: Iron
By | 12/07/2009 6:16 PM | Comment

Are these estimates ridiculous?


I just received two estimates for small jobs from a contractor that I’ve been using for a while. One of them seems like it might be OK, the other seems very high to me. I was wondering what other people thought.

The first is to replace all of the wood on the outside of a dormer window. There is more than enough roof to stand on so this does not involve any scaffolding or big ladders. The estimate was almost $1800.

The second was to put in a new door to the backyard, including a screen door and an iron security door. This is only for labor, not the cost of the three doors. However, it also includes building a frame for the door – the old opening has been gutted to the brick. The estimate is $1400.

This is from a contractor whose work I know and trust.

Are these out of whack with reality?

Categories: Doors
By | 04/15/2008 8:34 PM | Comment

need a structural engineer (I think)


We suspect that we may be having some structural problems and want to have someone come check things out (or more accurately, get a second opinion on what our contractor is telling us). I guess we need a structural engineer, although I’m not sure about that.

Anyone have anyone to personally recommend?

Categories: Engineer
By | 02/12/2008 12:52 PM | Comment