Seems high to me, I had quote for A-bus in 5 rooms, Intergra receiver and DVD player, and Speakercraft speakers and was around $7000, Almost $700 of that was labor at $85 an hour. The system that dog posted about is a completely different animal than the ABUS system you have - a standalone ABUS system generally requires little to no programming. My opinion (being in the business) is that the $2,360 actually seems rather cheap - I would expect 40 hours integration effort to be considerably more expensive. Then again, locale could be the difference here (we're in a major metro area).

That's not bad for the amount of demo required, especially since there's a lot of tile demo. Every single slab on the planet will need some SLC. Some more than others. The thing I would want to know is how many bags that would include if needed. 3 is about average, but if the slab has some issues after the tile comes up, you may need more. What would be the charge if additional prep for the slab is needed? Does it include transition strip installation between the floor and the other floors with different materials? What about the disposal of the demo'd material? Does it includes a dumpster for that too? If it includes all of that, that's a good quote. You can always get more quotes, and I probably would get at least one or two more if I had doubts. There are probably more names on their recommended installer list, or you may know someone. It's just that the guys who can do the job the best with the least problems probably get the recommendation the most, and they won't keep that status if they have unhappy customers about quality or price. That right there is a good reason to give them strong consideration, but I would never only interview one contractor. Or, go with the cheapest quote just because it was the cheapest quote.

You need to tell us where in the country you are, since prices are much higher in NYC, CT, and California than in most parts of Texas, Nebraska and Iowa, for example. Also, not giving a list of what the materials are, it still is very difficult to say. Custom, Semi custom or stock cabinets? A lot of crown molding? Off the top, the only things that seem high are the plumming and electrical for the size of the space and relatively little movement of plumbing. Do you need to upgrade the elctrical box or add a second one to accommodate the increased outlets and lights in the kitchen? If the Plumbing estimate of 1150 includes t he first time dishwasher intallation, what is included in the "finish plumbing"? Just hooking up the sink, faucet, GD and maybe refrig? If so, that seems high to me. However, please note that my prices are in CT, which is high, but from people I contacted myself. To have a GC provide the plumber DOUBLED the cost. But after I went with my own plumber, the GC kept trying to cut costs to increase his profit elsewhere, so beware of trying that. If you want to GC yourself you will probably save a lot, but don't then call a GC for the small stuff. Most won't appreciate it. Sue

I'd do a tear out and remodel on the kitchen and bathroom. It was probably time for that anyway. I don't hate everything about it. I like the tile on the main floors and the sunflower tile on the back part of the stair steps. I like the outdoor area although I would paint over the mural. Nice patio furniture and outdoor rug would do a lot there. a I've have to see it in person. I like the brick pavers in that one outdoor area. I'd love to buy a house like that and remodel it. That particular house is not in a good area.