Need help with estimates

oh we were also looking to add a new vanity in out bathroom but probably can't aford that now. They estimates are ranging all in from 45 - 65k.

Too much!! I have renovated my 1250 sq ft midtown Manhattan apt. 3 month ago for much less.
This is what it cost me:

$750.00 Install 6 new doors (&125 each)
Install Crown Moldings - $3,000.00 Materials Includes
Wall Paint and Plastering Job - $3,500.00 Labor
3 Radiator Cover - $2,100.00 Materials Includes

Call and get the estimates.
347-576-9017 / robeparu@aol.com

Flooring
Material
Eddie 646-704-2731 / 324 West 47 street, 8&9 av
Peter 646-571-6518
Labor
Alex 347-203-3882 / 516-222-0072

Eddie sells flooring materials from his apartment?

Yes, he owns Wood Floor Planet
Eddy Laboy
324 West 47th Street
New York NY 10036
ph.212.252.3838
fx. 212.591.6898

Alea from "A&E" did the work and did it is 4 days.

Floors: about right if includes finish coats
Mouldings: hard to say but if you have 10 doorways that must be done on both sides, bases, and crowns, this amount seems okay to me--use MDF for crowns to avoid splits at seams; consider it for door frames too if you are gentle on a place.
Radiator covers: don't know how big they are, but custom wood covers shouldn't cost this much--bid sounds high.
Doors: very high for just doors, but if it includes demo existing frames and rebuilding with new frames and hanging solid custom panel painted doors then it is just somewhat high. I should think $1000 per reconstructed door would be pretty extravagant, but I could be convinced I'm wrong. My job wasn't broken down this way.
Painting: all 1200 sq/ft and various colors and finishes and high ceilings and patching and repairing walls? Then price is not outrageous--just on the very high side of average for a contractor; handymen do this for less.
Rewiring, demo: About right--electricians are a FORTUNE and carting is very labor intensive in coops.
Profit: no idea.

except for the refinishing the floors, the other prices a very high to just plain insane.

$2100 for radiator covers, they better be made from gold. i had custom done with wood, trim and metal inset for about $300 each.
$14,400 for 10 doors, that's just crazy unless each door costs at least $1200. those must be some nice italian doors that arrived with the installer in tow :-).
$8500 for painting must include significant skim coating, otherwise just about insane.

the painting, the doors, and the radiator covers sound high to me, but everything else: floors, demolition, rewiring, molding sounds right. Of course as other people have pointed out, there's painting and there's painting -- have no idea how much work it is to make your walls paintable.

Still, do you want my contractor? it's spring so he's kind of busy, but I think he could at least get you your vanity on your budget. Email me at ali [at] dgneary [dot] com and put "streeteasy" in the subject line so I can find it.

ali

I think with construction/renovation, you often get what you pay for. For example, a $300 radiator cover definitely will be different from a $1050 one. There's a potential size difference, then there's also construction and finish. A more expensive radiator cover might be made of MDF and wood, have recessed panels, maybe more elaborate trim work, and a stainless steel architectural grill on top vs. a metal screen inset. Generally, it's hard to know if your estimates are high without knowing what exactly you spec'ed out - e.g., what type of doors, what kind of wood floor, how many coats of paint, how big the radiators are, etc. The one thing I would say is that anything more than 20% profit is high. I've received bids in the past from legitimate reputable contracting firms (vs. handyman) and they ranged from 15-20%. I would try to work out a deal or get feedback on how to reduce the budgent from the contractor you like most vs. going with the cheapest person.

the only number that jumps out is the door number. there are standard sized doors that are stock and those will cost 500-700/door with flat trim. if you have a few doors that require custom fabrication because of size or if these have raised panels or you requested solid core wood doors, then that number sound about right

refinishing floors - 3,200 -------normal
supply and install picture mouldings, casings and baseboards, window trim - 6,300--------a bit high
2 new radiator covers - 2100-----could be depending on how fancy
10 new doors -14,400 (what???) -----------crazy what type of doors are on the spec???
painting - 8,500--------------again crazy, unless the walls need major prep
rewiring of exposed phone / TV lines - 1500-----------actually cheap
demolition and site protection - 4,500----------------normal, carting included??
contractor profit - 10,000----keep the % under 20

I just started getting quotes for a bath gut reno in a studio. I am still amazed at the price quotes i keep getting. Tiny bathroom. So far 8K on the low and 39K on the high. Same exact spec. Some GC actually wanted to charge me 11500 to do plans and get a permit. Always funny to read the crazy bids.

replace door frames and doors? let's be serious about the labor cost and the work involved. removing a typical door and frame unit (especially in a pre-war unit) is a project for a skilled tradesperson, not a day laborer. so be aware that you'll get what you pay for. the 10k profit line item is way out there, typically 20-30% for both overhead and profit is the norm. I'm not bashful so if you need any further assistance feel free to email me @ rmaletta@nyc.rr.com, after 30 years in the biz my references and resume is impeccable.

Hi Peanut,

I have referred my contractor to a number of people and they have been very happy with his work.
I just told him some of the numbers that you are getting and he said it would be easier to give a quote onsite..but that from what he can tell, his prices would be:

Floors: $3000; radiator covers $1600 or less-depending on size; Painting: $7000; Re-wiring: $1500. BUT he said the cost of the doors sounded really crazy..again depending on what you are looking for. The more expensive, solid wood doors with hardware and installation would be $450 each at a total cost of $4500. He couldn't give me a guess on moulding, etc..unless he knew dimensions. He also thought the contractor profit sounded unusual.

Just thought you would be interested. If you want his contact info-feel free to email me at tracy5760@gmail.com.

Good luck with your project!

Oh..whoever you end up going with-contact their references. You want someone who shows up everyday and on time..and comes in on budget with no surprises! (That would be my current contractor-not my previous one!)