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April 15, 2008
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?
Comments
They don't sound outrageous to me, especially the door installation.
Posted by: guest at April 15, 2008 9:28 PM
with the door price, you can go down a bit more.
Posted by: armchairwarrior at April 15, 2008 9:45 PM
I've had some crackheads do work for me in the past, and the work has been OK, but the butane torches tend to leave burn marks everywhere, so I'm probably going to stick with my contractor for now (at least until I need another fix).
The door one sounded right to me too, maybe even a tad low. It was the window one that sounded high, but never having had one done I had nothing to compare it to.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2008 9:45 PM
$1400 is three days worth of work, no materials, no insurance,no licenses.
Now; if you are asking a licensed,bonded insured contractor.He must consider that if something goes wrong, at the end; you as a client will screw him up.(I mean take action) Even though you just ask him for help, and he did not charge you for the necessary corporate paperwork.
Now he is screwed up.
That is why you never ever under any circumstance ask for help to a friend in businesses.
If you wan't to be covered and get the job done get a contractor not a friend or a handyman.
Handyman's don't have $2 mill Liability.
PS. The price is realy low if you are talking about a stablished company.
If you are talking about a handyman,you are crazy, letting someone with no insurance off your window out to the roof.
Crazy.
Posted by: guest at April 15, 2008 9:48 PM
Hi there guest, not sure what you're reading, but I never mentioned a handyman or a friend, just a contractor. Just asking about the prices. If I confused you with the crackhead banter, well, not much I can do to help you there, except maybe send you here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadpan
Posted by: Anonymous at April 15, 2008 10:01 PM
Installing the wood doors should be easy, don't know about the iron one, so it's hard to say.
Most contractor's estimates are about double what I'd pay, so these are in line. I use handymen all the time and have been quite satisfied.
Posted by: cmu at April 16, 2008 10:06 AM
These estimates are low. How much do you make a day? Do the math, divide the price by the amount of workers and how many days. Not to mention, the prices of gas, wood (for around the window) and running a business..
If cmu wanted to pay half his contractors estimates he would be in line with Calcutta wages. I am not a contractor, nor do I work in construction. I do however work for a living.
Posted by: guest at April 16, 2008 10:22 AM
DIRT CHEAP
Posted by: guest at April 16, 2008 11:48 AM
10:22
You rule
Posted by: guest at April 16, 2008 7:05 PM
Give me your contractors contact info. I can double his rates and make a profit.
-a professional in brooklyn
Posted by: guest at April 16, 2008 10:08 PM
Thanks 10:22, that's just what I'm going to do! Let's see, I don't work, so three workers times three days...carry the nine...wait, let me get my calculator...zero! I'll counter his estimate with zero dollars!
God, you people crack me up. Thanks for all of the good advice.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 16, 2008 11:48 PM
Every single one of these responses here are from contractors so take that into account.
It's your money so go for it if you want, but I've gotten a doorframe built and doors installed for half that price and it was done well.
Posted by: guest at April 19, 2008 1:15 AM
I know this thread is ancient, but I just wanted to say ... you probably get the idea.
You don't always get what you pay for, people get scammed all the time at both ends of the scale of shelling out. Get a couple of bids, check references, and monitor the work closely. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how the bill will be broken down.
Posted by: amanda at May 7, 2008 3:44 PM
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