Fiberglass or stamped metal cornice replacement?

Now that the inside of the house is completely restored, we are moving to the outside.  We are going to have new siding installed, a new porch built, a new stoop, and would like to restore the decorative cornice at the top of the house.  I just got a quote back from a LIC firm who does fancy buildings in Manhattan as well as museums and such, and the quote was estimated around $22K just to make the plastic and fiberglass cornice – not including installation.  That sounds like a ridiculous amount for plastic and fiberglass for a 19′ piece of decoration.  Having been around the cast fiberglass business before for boats it seems like probably $200 worth of materials and a spray nozzle and an adjustable mold.  Insert time, knowledge, skill, setup, etc and I would think maybe $5K would be more appropriate not including installation.  Has anyone had this done before and what did it cost?  There is a stamped sheet metal place also in LIC who claims typical basic designs start at about $1,500 and run up to $20K depending on how many fine details you add and how many linear feet you need, so I would think for the basic 19′ cornice like I want with just a few corbels and such, again $5K-$7K should work. However, I would really like something that didn’t need painting all that often and fiberglass wont rust or peel they say.   Before I start inquiring out of state companies (there are some fiberglass manufacturers in new Orleans, Boston, Philly, Chicago, etc – areas with row houses) I thought maybe someone on here surely has had it done before and could give me a reference and approx cost for whatever size you had done.  If $22K is the going rate I guess it explains why there are so many houses missing them.  $22K goes a long way in other functional parts of a house.  I just cant see that in a plastic decoration piece.  Anyone had experience?

rcltrh

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years ago

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brklyn1 | 12 years ago

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If it’s Fiberglas or polyurethane it depense on the measurements, projection, height, how deep it’s not only 20′ it’s the mould that cost, I would take some pictures and post them here te get a Better idea.

bklynpwds | 12 years ago

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We also got a quote from AFCornice (who were recommended by our architect) and it came in around $9500 for a moderately fancy 22 foot fiberglass cornice.  We decided to hold off until we get a price quote for one in stamped metal.  Another architect I spoke to mentioned that she was having one done and would have it powder coated instead of painted.

lamb | 12 years ago

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I got a quote from architectural fiberglass in long island for a 20′ rear cornice to replace my original, rotting wood one… without install they came in a little under $2600\.  I ultimately decided against it, got some fancy copper gutters and saved the difference, but for a front cornice I would definitely have spent the money.  they have a really extensive (tho somewhat hard to navigate) catalog of designs you can view online.  you can see from their gallery that they do plenty of fancy buildings, but won’t start you at $22k!  http://www.afcornice.com