Home remodeling costs - are they kidding?

[cantdrv55]

Just met with a contractor regarding remodeling plans I have. Basically, all 3 bathrooms need to be gutted and I want the master bedroom walk-in closet enlarged. He estimates at least $100gs!

How come shows like "Flip This House" or "Flip That House" can do major construction at a fraction of the cost of my project? Hollywood half-truths or are they using illegal aliens for the labor pool or both?

[Flatbutt1]

No they are serious. I wanted a small deck built on my side door...50 square feet at most, 4 tread stair case, canopy over the door...I was quoted $7g's.

I don't mind paying a craftsman his due but $7g's? I figured he didn't really want the job.

I recently priced out a full wall sized bookcase, you know handmade built in and have been getting quotes from 2.5 to 3.25K. I think those prices are fair given that its handmade custom stuff.

I just contracted a craftsman to install 220 sq ft of HPL floor. $2100 installed. Happy to write the check.

[Scott R]

I bid three bathrooms to remodel, and one new to be built in the basement, it was 60K. In then end I did everything I could and subbed out the rest to individual contractors. Found a few of them on Craigslist in fact. In then end I did all three for a fraction of that quote, I'm not factoring in the extra time it took me to do it however. And the fact that I only have my weekends do to the work.

[cbeers]

Want me to call Dean now Chris?

He's back to work now I think.......

-Chris

[einreb]

'Contractors' hires 'subs'.

'subs' hire 'sub-subs'

'sub-subs' hire 'labor providing companies'

'labor providing companies' hire undocumented workers.

Each one of those layers has to pay for the overhead of the F350 dually to haul the clipbords.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by cbeers
Want me to call Dean now Chris?

He's back to work now I think.......

-Chris

If Dean has worker's comp insurance and good history, then yes. I'll PM you.

[competentone]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
If Dean has worker's comp insurance....

There is your answer to the high costs (at least part of them).

If I were to hire employees, nearly 50 cents for every dollar I paid them would have to be paid into workman's comp!

I don't know what business you're in, but there are a lot of costs when doing business that the customers are completely unaware of.

If you think the prices are crazy high and that contractors are just raking the money in, then maybe you should try the business for a while! You'll learn it's not as easy as you think!

[cantdrv55]

I never thought it was easy. I just don't want to get gouged. And I definitely won't hire a GC w/o worker's comp. That's just too risky, even if I do already carry an umbrella ins plan.

[trekkor]

Um, hello?





KT

[cantdrv55]

Trek, believe me, I will call you when it's time to do the flooring.

[trekkor]

What are your plans for the shower enclosures?


KT

[cantdrv55]

I hate glass doors but may have to go with them again. What, besides glass and shower curtains, are my other options?

[JavaBrewer]

Glass block. Love the stuff.

[JavaBrewer]

Better yet, design the showers to be walk in. No doors, no glass.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by einreb
'Contractors' hires 'subs'.

'subs' hire 'sub-subs'

'sub-subs' hire 'labor providing companies'

'labor providing companies' hire undocumented workers.

Each one of those layers has to pay for the overhead of the F350 dually to haul the clipbords.

+100.

I love the 'contractors' that show up in the $50,000 F350 with custom crome wheels. Looks at the guys hands......he obviously has not swung a hammer in many years. The poor SOBs who show up to do the work barely look like they're eatting.

[wcc]

Our local Lumber stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, Menard's, and independents) all have a TON of business cards of individuals. From Contractors that'll do the whole project to subs and specialty people. If you visit their project center they (Lumber store) can set you up with all the materials and you can start shopping your own subs. Once you get all the people (subs) lined up, buy the material and have 'em get to work. Pretty easy and WAY cheaper then handing off the entire project to a contractor. I've done this a couple times for flooring and have been happy so far and saved a ton.

[javadog]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Just met with a contractor regarding remodeling plans I have. Basically, all 3 bathrooms need to be gutted and I want the master bedroom walk-in closet enlarged. He estimates at least $100gs!

How come shows like "Flip This House" or "Flip That House" can do major construction at a fraction of the cost of my project? Hollywood half-truths or are they using illegal aliens for the labor pool or both?

Your quote sounds high, although you give no details of exactly what you are doing. It's kind of like asking how much should a new car cost? Pretty meaningless, unless you narrow it down a little. My suggestion would be to get an architect to draw up some detailed plans for you, if you haven't already done so, and get three or four bids. Try and get reccomendations from someone in the business, as to who to use. There are way too many idiots out there to pick them out of a phone book.

The remodeling shows on TV are a joke. Utter crap, actually. Don't get me started on how many things they do wrong. I really get a kick out of watching some of them drive nails. 20 licks on a 16 penny and it's still not in.

And for those of you that think Home Depot and Lowes are God's gift to the do-it-yourselfer, let me say that there are few things there that I would buy. Lot's of poor quality materials. That's why they are cheap. I'm thinking here of the lumber, cabinets, finish materials and that sort of thing. Here in Oklahoma, we can't even get first rate raw wood products anymore. If I need something, I have to buy it out of state and ship it here. Sorry if I offend anyone, I just hate to see the construction business continue to go downhill from pricing pressure due to a lack of any concern over the quality of the finished product.

Quality costs a little more but you only have to buy it once. Sadly, It's getting harder to find.

JR

[VINMAN]

Most of our "contractors" around here stand around while they have a bunch of illegal aliens doing all the work. I agree some of the prices they get are out of control.
I have a home improvement and painting bussiness on the side. Majority of my work is all the small jobs that most contractors dont want because there is'nt enough money in it for them.
JR is right, the quality of building materials from the big home stores suck. I purchase most of mine from the few local lumber yards that are left.

[red-beard]

I had my entire Kitchen Re-modeled in Upstate NY. It was gutted, an outside door through brick was moved. Granite counter tops, GE Profile appliances, very upgraded floor, a 0-6 inch high sub-decking installed (To level the floor). Crystal cherry custom cabinets, Natural gas piping run for the stove, lighting, outlets, etc, etc, etc. The whole thing was $25K.

My parents had an existing deck on the side of thier house in So-cal. They wanted it enclosed to make a sun room. So, on a 6'x20' concrete deck with an existing wall, the roof was extended, and windows were installed. No heat, no wiring, etc. $70K.

Some contractors do not price based on the work (time+materials), they price based on the increase in value of the house. Generally, the only way to save money is to be the General Contractor, and hire the individuals who will do the work directly.





Edited to add pictures

[Zeke]

Originally posted by einreb
'Contractors' hires 'subs'.

'subs' hire 'sub-subs'

'sub-subs' hire 'labor providing companies'

'labor providing companies' hire undocumented workers.

Each one of those layers has to pay for the overhead of the F350 dually to haul the clipbords.

Another slam on contractors using only what can be construed to be a glittering generality.

What business are you in so I can return the illogical favor?