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August 28, 2009
Skim Coating
I need to skim coat and paint a pre-war coop apartment (as part of a much larger job). I have so far received one quote, which is charging 60K for skim coating and painting. Walls are not in such terrible shape considering the apartment is pre-war. We are talking about 1200 sq. ft. give or take. This seems extraordinarily high. Does someone have any good recommendations? Because it is a coop, I believe that the person would have to be licensed.
Comments
I am an owner of a design/build firm in Brooklyn and this is extremely high. We are not painters but if you are interested in some names feel free to email me at tmartin@wedesign-nyc.com
Perhaps we can help you get a lower quote.
Cheers,
Tricia
Posted by: triciaely at August 27, 2009 9:18 PM
That's a crazy quote. You can get your whole apartment sheetrocked for a fraction of that! I would say tops 15K but my approximation is about 10K (that's from licensed and insured guys). I just got a lobby of a 90 unit building quotes to skimcoat and repaint and they're coming in within 25K. I would suggest someone but we didn't get the work started yet so I can't give personal recommendations but can throw some numbers of contractors your way if you like. email me at BKJester3@aol.com
Posted by: Kensingtonian at August 27, 2009 9:18 PM
60k? Did you add a zero by accident?
I'll do it for 50k :-)
Posted by: denton at August 27, 2009 9:23 PM
stop stealing my business Denton! I would do it for 40! :o)
Posted by: Kensingtonian at August 27, 2009 9:34 PM
I will subcontract it for 35K
Posted by: bobjohn at August 27, 2009 10:24 PM
This quote seems to be too high. I suggest you get a different quote, at least 3 more. nd definitely recommend you call Innovation Construction 718-666-7679 they are licensed and insured to work with.
Posted by: Micheal_37 at August 27, 2009 11:18 PM
Pretty much anybody can skim coat and paint.
Walk around Chinatown and take some numbers off vans or from construction guys at work.
You probably could get a decent job and spend less than 20k.
Posted by: IronBalls at August 28, 2009 12:46 AM
60K??? Please tell me you added a zero. In response to your comment about the workers "needing to be licensed," I would say "YES" and "NO." Painting (and what is this but glorified repairs and painting) doesn't generally require an alteration/renovation request for most buildings, so probably no-one will check. What did P.T. Barnum say? (And people wonder why contractors often get a bad name?????)
Posted by: Minmin at August 28, 2009 6:58 AM
I have some good skim coaters, if you are interested I can be reached on my cell (917) 573-3304
The quote you received is extremely high!
Posted by: alrosariojr at August 28, 2009 9:06 AM
Good Morning, I am a painter contractor and do most of my work to Starbucks Coffee, If you need a quote, please feel free to call at 347 234-3597.
It takes a lot of skills to do a skim coating, Be very carefull whu you choose.
Thank You and God bless You
Martin Barazorda
Inti Interior Finish.com
Posted by: Inti at August 28, 2009 9:31 AM
We paid half of that to skim and paint the interior of an entire ROWHOUSE, including skimming some original plaster walls that were all but falling down. Way high quote. Is this a firm that specializes in commercial work and has no idea how to price residential?
Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at August 28, 2009 11:58 AM
That's insanely high. But I don't believe "pretty much anybody can skim coat and paint." Skim coating definitely takes experience and good technique--get someone who can provide great references and/or show you a completed job.
Posted by: tinarina at August 28, 2009 12:00 PM
Our three-story row house, done over time with two different contractors, cost way less than $10k to skim coat and paint over new sheetrock.
The most recent job was about $800 to skimcoat (not paint) a 300sf hallway, ceiling and walls. They did a fantastic job.
Posted by: WBer at August 28, 2009 12:33 PM
It has to be a typo. It must be $6k. Which is high, but not overly so...
I got a quote to paint of of my rental units. About 900 sqf but the walls are fine and wouldn't require much work. The quote was $1,200.
For 1200sqf I'd think the quote/expense should be no more than $5k or so, and that is if the walls need some decent work.
Posted by: christopher at August 28, 2009 12:57 PM
I've skim coated many apartments. The best people are expensive, but not THAT expensive. Two years ago I had a (very shabby) 1600 sq ft classic six done and it was about 15k and that didn't include the paint job.
BTW, nothing transforms a place like an excellent skim coat and paint job. GL!
Posted by: Ringo at August 28, 2009 1:08 PM
Assuming it's $6k . . .
There's skimcoating and there's skimcoating. Paid my contractor about $4k to do my old apartment. Neighbor paid $2k. But mine lasted 5 years. Hers was cracking in the first.
Trick is to dig all the cracks out thoroughly, seal 'em and then refill and then skim. Can be a tough gig.
Posted by: Johnny at August 28, 2009 1:09 PM
I will do it for 40k ... Just kidding......That is a 10k-15k job by the best of them.
Posted by: HOBOKENROCKS at August 28, 2009 2:11 PM
I should correct an early statement.
When I said "pretty much anybody can skim coat," I didn't mean to downplay advantages of experience.
The more experience the better, but you still shouldn't get ripped off. We're talking about a fairly common skill. It's not rocket science by any means. . .
Posted by: IronBalls at August 28, 2009 3:31 PM
...but maybe the skim coater's kid is studying rocket science at university....
Posted by: Minmin at August 28, 2009 5:49 PM
I plaster and paint, skimcoat in brooklyn for over 20 years. Brownstones, Churches, apt buildings etc.. Have as many references as you need. You can call me if you would like an estimate - 917-204-4990. Your quote is way too high! Jim
Posted by: mcpherson at August 28, 2009 8:23 PM
I always get three quotes. I got a $45,000, a $30,000 and a $10,000 bid for a 5000 SF job on Broadway, which included a lot of architectural details. I was most interested in the $30,000 bid, and I went with the contractor to three locations where he had worked as taper and painter. He also introduced me to his happy clients.
The job was a little tense because he underestimated the time on the details, and as his project manager I held money back until he got the place looking perfect. Skim coating is not anything anyone can do. It requires a high level of patience and finesse. Take your time and find the right contractor.
masterbuildernyc@gmail.com
Posted by: masterbuilder at August 29, 2009 9:17 AM
I can wholeheartedly recommend Greg Glarke (347) 922-0329. When we moved into our townhouse on Bergen St. We also got insanely high bids. 20K for the parlor floor, etc. Greg's bid was so much less I was nervous about hiring him, but we were house poor, and he seemed competent, so we hired him. He ended up knocking out lots of crumbling plaster, rebuilding the walls in places with Structolite, applied Plasterweld and skimmed over fiberglass mesh so no cracks would reappear, sanded them museum-wall smooth, then did an expert paint job. That was eight years ago, and since then he's skim coated and painted nearly every room in our house, and we've realized he's the best contractor we've had. He was punctual, clean, and his guys were terrific. I think his rates have increased with his popularity, but it's worth getting a bid if you can.
If anyone wants to see the work he did at my house, contact me off list (adambeckman@mac.com) although the paint looks a little worse for wear since we have 2 small kids now!
-Adam Beckman
151 Bergen Street
Posted by: Garshobi at August 30, 2009 4:11 PM
CONTACT GABRIELA PAINTING THIS GUY IS GREAT SKIM COATED AND PAINTED 11 ROOMS IN MY FRIENDS HOUSE ON 3RD ST BY THE PARK AND SAVED HER 35% THAT QUOTE IS NUTS AND CRAZY CALL THE BROOKLYN DA'S OFFICE HIGHWAY ROBBERY HE COULD BE REACHED AT GABIPAINTINGINC@AOL.COM OR 718-331-3889
Posted by: max senises at October 8, 2009 11:13 PM
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