Hello, I have a general question regarding home renovations. I have a small condominium, about 780 sq. ft. I want a total renovation: -new flooring throughout – laminate wood flooring -paint job throughout (including ceiling) -new kitchen cabinets, installing a small island and new countertop, ceramic tile flooring -new bathroom: installing a new tub, shower head, faucets, sink with vanity,... [more]
Hello,
I have a general question regarding home renovations. I have a small condominium, about 780 sq. ft. I want a total renovation:
-new flooring throughout – laminate wood flooring
-paint job throughout (including ceiling)
-new kitchen cabinets, installing a small island and new countertop, ceramic tile flooring
-new bathroom: installing a new tub, shower head, faucets, sink with vanity, medicine cabinet, new toilet, new tiles on the floor, shower area, backsplash by the sink & new ventilation system
-new closets doors and handles with organizers – 3 closets in total
-utility room – paint and install ceramic or vinyl floor tiles
-change 3 light fixtures
-some plaster / sheetrock work to wall and ceiling
Materials estimated at $10,000. Work to be done on regular time. Is $9,000 a fair price for labor?
Thanks for any responses posted.
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Response by angray
about 14 years ago
Posts: 103
Member since: Sep 2011
Is there someone quoting you $9000? I'm undergoing a similar reno and getting estimates around 12-15k.
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Response by Primer05
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Clark,
Fair? That price seems to good to be true. Is this with a licensed contractor and plumber?
For an inexpensive contractor
Flooring: $3,500.00 (does the existing floor get removed, is there a subfloor?)
Paint: $ 3,000.00 one coat of primer, 2 coats of Benjamin Moore? (is there any prep work?)
Kitchen: $5,000.00 at minimum (demo kitchen?, install appliances?
Bathroom: $5,000.00 at minimum
Doors: $1,200.00
Lights: $150.00
Plaster? 300.00
I have it at least at $18,150 which I think is low. A bathroom and kitchen and flooring and painting for $9,000? I would be very careful. Is your place in Manhattan
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Response by sjtmd
about 14 years ago
Posts: 670
Member since: May 2009
I am looking into a similar renovation for a 600 sq ft coop - plus removal of a "popcorn ceiling" - no asbestos. No sheetrock work. Just 2 closets. Getting $80 - $90,000 estimates. What's up??
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Response by jiwhit
about 14 years ago
Posts: 4
Member since: Apr 2009
Get three quotes, minimum. You're not looking for the lowest price. You want the contractor you like the most (because a reno is like a marriage), submits a very detailed quote (NOT estimate, QUOTE) and who cautions you the most about all the things that could go wrong in your reno and how much it could drive up your costs should they occur. Avoid the one who promises the moon but always in vague terms. Have real, detailed interviews with the contractors. My exp is the "dirt cheap" guys leave out a lot of things, and they stay vague. On the other hand, stay away from the glossy brochure guys. Keep looking till you find the one who is teaching you about what goes into a reno rather than making you have to ask (because you won't know what to ask, really).
On another note, I'd think hard about the laminate floors. Most buyers view at them as an automatic tear-out. There are lower-quality wood floors that don't cost much more than the laminate that still have 10-20 year warranties. You'd be amazed what contractors can get a hold of, esp since you have a small space. Stay away from Bella wood products and Lumber Liquidators. Clarence Darrow wouldn't be able to get them to stand behind their products.
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Response by jiwhit
about 14 years ago
Posts: 4
Member since: Apr 2009
Hey, sjtmd - Get more estimates. You'll start to see what makes sense.
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Response by Primer05
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Jiwhit,
Most of what you wrote sounds very reasonable. However, I have installed flooring from Lumber Liquidators and have not had a problem. I personally like Mirage for something priced well.
You gave a reason not to go with the low guy but what is reason to stay away from the glossy brochure guys? I for one am very proud of my work so I do like to show it off.
Is there someone quoting you $9000? I'm undergoing a similar reno and getting estimates around 12-15k.
Clark,
Fair? That price seems to good to be true. Is this with a licensed contractor and plumber?
For an inexpensive contractor
Flooring: $3,500.00 (does the existing floor get removed, is there a subfloor?)
Paint: $ 3,000.00 one coat of primer, 2 coats of Benjamin Moore? (is there any prep work?)
Kitchen: $5,000.00 at minimum (demo kitchen?, install appliances?
Bathroom: $5,000.00 at minimum
Doors: $1,200.00
Lights: $150.00
Plaster? 300.00
I have it at least at $18,150 which I think is low. A bathroom and kitchen and flooring and painting for $9,000? I would be very careful. Is your place in Manhattan
I am looking into a similar renovation for a 600 sq ft coop - plus removal of a "popcorn ceiling" - no asbestos. No sheetrock work. Just 2 closets. Getting $80 - $90,000 estimates. What's up??
Get three quotes, minimum. You're not looking for the lowest price. You want the contractor you like the most (because a reno is like a marriage), submits a very detailed quote (NOT estimate, QUOTE) and who cautions you the most about all the things that could go wrong in your reno and how much it could drive up your costs should they occur. Avoid the one who promises the moon but always in vague terms. Have real, detailed interviews with the contractors. My exp is the "dirt cheap" guys leave out a lot of things, and they stay vague. On the other hand, stay away from the glossy brochure guys. Keep looking till you find the one who is teaching you about what goes into a reno rather than making you have to ask (because you won't know what to ask, really).
On another note, I'd think hard about the laminate floors. Most buyers view at them as an automatic tear-out. There are lower-quality wood floors that don't cost much more than the laminate that still have 10-20 year warranties. You'd be amazed what contractors can get a hold of, esp since you have a small space. Stay away from Bella wood products and Lumber Liquidators. Clarence Darrow wouldn't be able to get them to stand behind their products.
Hey, sjtmd - Get more estimates. You'll start to see what makes sense.
Jiwhit,
Most of what you wrote sounds very reasonable. However, I have installed flooring from Lumber Liquidators and have not had a problem. I personally like Mirage for something priced well.
You gave a reason not to go with the low guy but what is reason to stay away from the glossy brochure guys? I for one am very proud of my work so I do like to show it off.