Is the cost of our renovation reasonable?
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Small Bathroom Labor Costs...is this reasonable?
Comments (14)My time estimate is 3 days to rip out and install tub, rough plumbing, prepare walls and floor for tiler. (Then we wait for tiler?) Say he comes on day 4, he is expected to take several days at least. Floor can't be walked on for a day, then needs grout, etc. Then vanity install. Then granite install. Granite has a turn around time of a week? Plumbing fixtures, lights, not sure if wainscoting goes up when? I'm figuring 2-3 weeks over which the bath will be unusable and workmen will be coming and going. Maybe we'll be lucky and it will be done in 2 weeks. But there are sometimes delays between sets of workers. I know people who get a kitchen in 2 weeks, and ones who take 6 months. It depends on what you are having done. Also where you live. As soon as anyone comes into my neighborhood their price goes up. Not bragging, we got a smaller house in a nice neighborhood that was run down and have been fixing it up slowly for years. But the contractors all seem to assume we have "money"! LOL! We went with our plumber because we've known him for years and he's very reliable. I'm sure there are people who might be less, and I KNOW there are people who are MORE! If you get a good recommendation, and can see their work, that's what counts....See MorePool Remodel in progress-is additional electrical cost reasonable
Comments (7)There is nothing wrong with the existing electrical service, it was just suggested to take the opportunity to do it while the concrete was already up, to avoid having to do it later if it was needed and having to tear up the new stamped concrete. Now this seems like a scare tactic. Heck, for all I know the demo guys hacked it up and now it needs replacing. I don't have any way of knowing that. He is replacing the electricity to the existing pool equipment, as we are keeping all of that. No exterior lights are involved, other than the lights in the pool itself. He is using a larger wire than what is already there. The pump had been replaced a few months ago and the heater was in good working condition, so I did not want to replace those at this time. I am not sure what spa timer will be used. Before bidding he agreed that the heater was in good shape and would service the spa and pool adequately. But then a new heater was one of his suggestions along with the electrical. I declined that upgrade, mainly because I was then becoming annoyed with his $13K in additional suggestions. If I need a new heater later, I'll buy it separately from someone else. So, am I not out of line thinking that this separate electrical work either should have been included to begin with, or at the very least, could have "piggybacked" onto the spa electricity for a somewhat nominal amount? Thank you for your responses...See MoreProfession Remodel Cost - is it reasonable?
Comments (18)A fellow Pittsburgher here - over in the North Hills. And wow - your project sounds rather similar to ours - 1950's house, removing the DR/kitchen wall, getting rid of bulkheads, etc. For the health of our marriage, we are not DIY people either - better to get someone else in who can do it for us...remodels are stressful enough, would rather someone else to have to be upset with if things need fixed! Quotes for us have been ALL over the place. We thought that we had someone lined up and he disappeared off the face of the Earth! So, we're looking again. We're looking for custom cabinets because of some of the special things we want and prices for those have ranged from low 20's to around 50k - plywood, full overlay, frameless, dark stained cherry, Shaker, almost all drawers, Blum hardware - full extension, soft close....but we are going to have a load of cabinets and we're having a custom banquette built also...so, our cabinetry is pretty extensive. We're having a tough time coming up with a GC right now, but just got a quote from the guy who has done some general "handyman" work for us and we trust in him. His quote didn't include the install of the cabinets and is not inclusive of materials (he bills us at cost - picks up what we need at Home Depot or wherever)...but is tear out of old kitchen, demo of the wall, repair of the ceiling, electrical wiring, installation of two replacement windows, install vent and damper for exhaust fan, etc. and we're around 6k. But again, this isn't including the install of the cabinets and doesn't include materials costs. As others have mentioned, don't skimp on lighting. As much as I hate my current kitchen, if I had adequate lighting, it would make it much easier to work in the kitchen. Lighting can be decorative in nature, but in a kitchen it really is about making it truly functional. The value of your home is a bit higher than the value of ours and we will be putting more money into our kitchen than you are. BUT, the kitchen is going to be a very usable space for us - one that I will spend significant time in because I enjoy cooking. We are likely over-improving and wouldn't recoup our money. If we were planning on selling in the near future, we would modify our plans greatly. However, we are very happy where we are located - quiet neighborhood, easy access to major highways, and a nice piece of ground...the previous owners were the original owners (house built in the 1950's) and we absolutely know why they never moved - we have a treasure. Seeing as our plans are to stay here, we want things to be how we would like them rather than stick within numbers of what others feel is appropriate to put into a remodel of a house in our price range. What I'm saying is - if this is a longer term home for you, and you have the means, get what will make you happy to have long term. If you get the laminate countertop now, is that what you are keeping or will you want to replace in in two years or so when the honeymoon of having a new kitchen has worn off. If that's likely, then you will have paid twice for something. So, be honest too with yourself on where you've decided to cut back...if you can honestly say you can do it and be happy, then by all means, do so. But, if there's even the slightest suspicion that you will long for what you originally were planning, you may benefit yourself in modifying your overall budget, IMO....See MoreNew HVAC System - Cost reasonable?
Comments (11)2ea 5 ton 16 SEER Systems in the Goodman Brand with duct systems in Tulsa from www.morrisheatandair.com would have cost no more than $30,000 for equivalent products. Check out these brochures and find a Goodman Installer today on Angieslist. New 98% AFUE Furnace with true variable speed motor. http://www.goodmanmfg.com/DesktopModules/GoodmanProducts/ProductFiles/32CB-GMVM97.pdf New Evaporator with TXV http://www.goodmanmfg.com/Portals/0/pdf/CBs/CB-GEVC.pdf New 18 SEER AC http://www.goodmanmfg.com/Portals/0/pdf/CBs/CB-DSXC18.pdf New Comfortnet Communicating Thermostat http://www.goodmanmfg.com/Portals/0/pdf/CBs/CB-CTK03.pdf Goodman Brand Air Cleaner http://www.goodmanmfg.com/Portals/0/pdf/CBs/CB-GIAQ.pdf Even if you are not in a Goodman Area, Daikin should be available in the same specs for that much, I would consider a Ductless Multi Split System with 12 indoor heads and up to 12 tons of cooling capacity, however they are not gas driven furnaces they are heatpumps. 3ea Daikin 4head systems would cost no more than $45,000. They operate at 19 SEER and usually qualify for a bunch of rebates. Here is the brochure: http://www.daikinac.com/content/assets/DOC/Product%20Brochures/CB-MXS.pdf Daikin and Goodman are the largest Manufacturers in the United States. Good Luck John Morris (918) 734-0040 www.morrisheatandair.com...See MoreD P
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