Renovation Nightmares - Part II
So my husband and I have consulted several people regarding the situation I am in with my gut renovation project in Park Slope. We have and are meeting several people. We set the precedence with our current contractor and gave him a warning. We shall see on what progresses. In the meantime, we are meeting…
So my husband and I have consulted several people regarding the situation I am in with my gut renovation project in Park Slope. We have and are meeting several people. We set the precedence with our current contractor and gave him a warning. We shall see on what progresses. In the meantime, we are meeting with others to get various estimates just in case our problem is not solved and we need to hire someone else. I feel more empowered and hope this works out for the best. During our interview process with one contractor, we were asked to compensate him $600 for an estimate on the various phases of the project. Is he insane? I am furious that he would have the nerve to ask for money. Would you take him? Is this normal? Not to mention we researched him and two negative reviews popped, one of which said “His work is sloppy, but he has no problem taking your money for it.” We would not have minded the two reviews, becuase in all reality if he has had a lot of work, then two is not so bad, but now with his request for compensation, really assures me that we do not want to work with him.
I am doing a multi million dollar renovation and did not pay one cent for an estimate. I have also done a great deal of work over the course of many years with four other contractors- never paid for an estimate.
IMO, there’s no issue with a contractor charging an estimate fee provided you know that in advance. Plenty of professions do the same, try getting an hour of 2 from your attorney or architect for free. It compensates the contractor for his time, ensures your serious, and forces you to do your homework prior to engaging them. If you knew you had to pay an estimate fee you would think longer and harder before calling them in. Times change, contract. For now endulge in the free estimates they won’t be around for ever, at least not with the reputable ones.
For one thing the project has just begun, so the fact that the contractor asked for money, assures me I do not want to use him. Others are giving me estimates for free, why should I pay one person?
Contractors usually request a fee if the you are speculating a home purchase. In this case it’s valid as the potential home buyer will use the contractors quote/estimate to make a purchasing decision.
If the potential buyer purchases the property and hires the GC then the fee is usually subtracted from a final contract.
I’m a GC, and I would most certainly charge a client for an estimate in this situation. But I’ve never collected payment for an estimate that didn’t turn into a contract.
What folks are telling you is right–you need to trust the person you hire to work in your home.
But if you expect qualified contractors to come and give bids for your half finished job for free you are expecting alot. You might get lucky, but given where you are already in the project I would interview several contractors on site, then ask one (or _maybe_ two) to give you detailed proposals to finish. Doesn’t really matter what the details are–that’s the one to use.
No designs. He is not going to be chosen.
just curious… did the contractor do set set of drawings, or any design work when he asked for the $600, or did he just give a written proposal and request a fee??
Are you kidding? You get two bad reviews and you are still considering this guy? There a plenty of other contractors with very good references… also asking for money like that would we a sure signal for me. I would definitely not go for that guy. What’s the point of getting references if you are going to ignore them?
Hi, KarinaB,
Hope that wasn’t the contractor I told you about. Even if it was, follow everyone’s advice, don’t deal with him, and don’t even sweat it or think about it anymore. Contractor gives you an estimate because he is looking for work. It is in his interest, so he shouldn’t charge for it.
We learned far too late in our renovation that we should live by a “no BS” rule, for contractors, suppliers, etc. There are plenty of good contractors and suppliers and plenty of bad ones. If you go to a store to buy some important supplies and you sense any BS at all, go somewhere else. Same with contractors. If you walk through the house and something they tell you sounds like BS, use someone else.
The relationship often sours even with good people a the end, but it is important to start out right. You can’t start out right with anyone if you don’t feel right about how they dealt with you.
The $600 guy made you furious? — no brainer. Don’t use him even if the reviews were raves. You need to be on a good footing with whomever your contractor is going to be — new or old. You can’t be on a good footing with someone who makes you furious enough in the first conversation that you need to vent here. And don’t worry about him any more.