min ballpark estimate for the most basic garage conversion
cohenese
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artemis78
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Basic Cabinet Education -- FAQs
Comments (17)Azmon, all woods change, the finishes used by mfg have UV inhibitors which help slow the process. Maple warms up- natural gets a buttery golden sot of color not red. Oak warms. Cherry darkens more than any other, gets redder, really sort of orange. Walnut is the only wood that gets lighter, it also gets warmer. Ask if dealer can show you an aged sample, they usually have some around. The biggest variations in finish from brand to brand are: prep, sanding between coats, final finish (buffing or the like IF they do that) and "wet build" (how much is applied) To determine these look at all sides and edges, and feel them. You can tell if they are side by side. Even if not you should get the idea. For NATURAL- the big variable is wood grading. Read the disclaimer if there is one, llok at samples. There can be big differences brand to brand even at the same price point. Better brands will offer "select" at an upcharge. Really good brands will automatically use select on natural and the lightest stains, still at an upcharge but not as much. Samples and or photos of kitchens, and the KDs advice all help. With Maple specifically the concern is how much mineral streaks they allow, and how large. Mineral streaks are dark to black. Illinigirl- yes precat is second - still not bad though. Your going to have to evaluate what you see. I can't responsibly tell you more....See MoreZillow "Estimate" vs Appraisal
Comments (73)Interesting twists and turns and the conversation is kind of like one we're having at work - where is AI valuable, and where are "soft skills / people focused skills" valuable? In Zillow, I would think that they have a myriad of tools available from which to draw and SHOULD be reflective of what an appraiser SHOULD use, as well. Appraisers are supposed to be a data driven as possible to remove bias and the potential for fraud. Banks want a very "safe" value estimation to reduce their risk. OTOH - a Realtor i would view as having a forward looking perspective to judge (or intuit) the market GOING FORWARD in order to advise their client on the future attractiveness and appreciation of a property that they will take into consideration that would be different than an appraisal number. Also, for the seller, the Realtor should be able to see that same thing and price accordingly. Appraiser (and Zillow) likely use only backward looking tools, but I would expect Realtors to add insight and the more emotional aspects of any transaction in order to be able to give better insight into the future state and if something is priced right / a good deal based on a more forward view....See MoreEstimate Breakdown in a Cost Plus contract
Comments (39)"...allowances themselves are not evil..." The problems with allowances are really very simple: Builders use allowances in various ways for their own purposes; reputable builders fully inform their owners about how the allowances were conceived; not so reputable builders do not. Many consumers, particularly first time builders, think that their construction cost in the construction contract, which included allowances is a maximum and all inclusive. When they can't get the desired and hoped for materials and work within a given allowance, many consumers are shocked, surprised and dismayed at the additional expenses reflected in the subsequent change orders. Many consumers, particularly first time builders, become overwhelmed by the myriad decisions and limited time frame for the choices which have to be made within the builder's normal construction sequencing and schedule. Waiting until construction to make all of these choices is fine for many experienced folks; it can be never-wracking from many other folks. Read the threads. At the end of the day, allowances all boil down to whether or not they are appropriate and "reasonable" for the nature and quality of the project, and if they reflect the owner's wishes. Think about the beginning of a construction project: how many consumers and builders are exactly on the same page at the time a construction contract is typed up? The too often answer is that each party is in their own individual world, based on their own similar experiences. Where does that leave consumers? If one's budget is large and flexible; If one enjoy shopping for and paying for one's own personal choices; if one's personality doesn't really mind "surprises" of a financial nature, where one or more allowances is insufficient to cover the expenses of an owner's desires; if one enjoys making selection decisions in a short time frame; if one has done all this before and understands how the process works...then allowances may not be much of a bother. On the other hand, if one wants their house priced all inclusively and wants to make the selection decisions up front and have them reflected in the total cost and schedule. the strategy is simple: eliminate all allowances. Everyone has a choice. But knowledge is power!...See MoreContractor upset that he has time into the estimate.
Comments (83)Jen H, " When you have 3 bids that feel good, post the differences on Houzz and ask for advice. There are some really good people on this forum who will help you make a good decision. " If you have 3 bids that feel good and you cannot make a decision, how you figure anyone can help someone make a decision online, without knowing anything about these contractors, not knowing anything about pricing in the region, and have 100 "really good people" suggesting who to go with that they like ... How you expect the OP make a decision after 100 diffrent opinions, I think they will be more confused and lost. This just doesn't make any sense and I mean that in a logical way. Something you said in your previous post " When your kid is sick you take them to the pediatrician who has been taking care of your kid since birth. There is a relationship built on trust. " Sooner or later the kid will have to see a different doctor, or you might move to a different town 30 miles away, or a different state... You not gonna run around interviewing doctors to see who you can trust or feel comfortable with, while your kid (god forbid) runs a fever. When you move to a new location you will look for a local reputable doctor, or someone who is highly recommended and you will make an appointment and you will place your trust in his/her hands. That said, when you have a contractor who been doing work for you for years and you trust him, same as the doctor you already have a relationship built on trust and you don't need 3-5 estimates. Not to mention a reputable contractor, a mechanic, or a doctor who provides service to a local community or in the vicinity for years if not generations, the chances him/her screwing someone are slim or none because they have the reputation in the community which is built on trust. " If I have not worked with you and you are unwilling to give me a written estimate that I can compare with 2 or 3 other professionals I have nothing on which to judge your competence or worth." This should be cut and dry and already been discussed and a point was made... When that happens, it's obvious the contractor don't need you to judge him on his competence or worth, he knows perfectly well what he is capable of and most likely his reputation speaks for itself... There could be plenty of other reasons why they wouldn't do that, to name a few: they don't participate in bidding practices or they have plenty of work, or there is something they didn't like about your approach, or your demeanor, etc It could be many other reasons...don't forget, not only the customer chooses who they hire, some contractors also look for red flags when it comes to customers and it is up to them who they want to work and which jobs they want to take on. Why you think finding a good contractor nowadays its a task of it's own same as finding a good doctor who actually cares about you and not the appointment fee. Good luck...See MoreSeabornman
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