Renovation estimates please

Here are quotes and costs of similar work over the past 3 years.
popcorn removal in 2br/2bath apartment, including skim coating and appropriate paint: 15K (estimate)
skim coating/painting living room, dining area, bedroom, long hallway after electrical rewiring: 15K (actual)
complete kitchen reno/redesign with custom cabinets and mid-range appliances: 65K (actual)
complete bathroom reno (extensive plumbing work since shut off valves are in apt next door): 30K minimum
I would guess the work should be in the 110 - 130K range based upon these numbers.

What kind of building? "Outer borough" should be cheaper than Manhattan. Presumably easier parking, faster material delivery, lower insurance requirements, less restrictive work hours, etc. Have to imagine you can get this done without going into six figures. Can probably find some good references on Brownstoner.

It sounds like the apartment has a delightful patina, the walls (and ceilings) decades of stories to tell. Just leave it the way it is. And dress it up a little with doilies if necessary; personalize it with royal blue glitter shag carpeting above the dado, mami. Make it YOU!

Nobody will know you didn't use a decorator.

Ali,

80-150, Depend son finishes in the kitchen and bath. What kind of cabinets? What are the expectations? Skim to a level 5 finish?

jelj13 gets the prize. Let me know where you are and I will buy you a drink.

We were given an estimate of $50K for the kitchen (IKEA cabinets); scaled back the bathroom work to $20K (demo existing tile and retile, and demo a closet,and switch out light fixture etc. but keep the existing floor toilet/tub); skim coating ceilings in three major rooms $6K; closet reconfiguration and moving W/D $7K. Throw in paint and architect/project manager fees and I think we're looking at $100K-$110K; it would certainly be $10K-$15K more than that if we were doing the bath completely.

Primer, finish between 3 and 4. FYI I gave your name to one of my neighbors who is doing a gut.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Thank you Ali

Is the work you are talking about for your apt? I would have comeby and given you a real proposal for you to go off on. An IKEA kitchen shouldn't come close to 50k

Primer05: I called your company for some renovation work and you said you don't take jobs less than 300K.

hi Primer--
It's not for me (we're ensconced on the UWS, as least for now ) it's for a client who is looking to make something historical shine again -- and FWIW, the footprint of the kitchen is big. Maybe someday I will take you up on a new kitchen here though!

ali

Ali:

1. I have always gotten similar work done for a small fraction of what you are being quoted
2. for $15,000 you could get Donald Trump to personally paint your apt

rb,
1. It's not my apartment. This is for a buyer client who just made an offer.
2. The Donald likes me. I'm sure he would do it for less.

Jel13,

I did not say we dont take on projects under 300K. I said we are only taking on full gut renovations. In some cases we take on projects for a lot less it depends on many factors. If I remember correctly you were looking to renovate a bathroom or kitchen which we cannot do right now. If it was for Front Porch (who I know) I would have done it for her

Jelj13: when I called primer he came over the next day, gave me a quote and billed me exactly the same as the quote. And it was far less than 300k but nothing less than impeccable work. Just sharing my experience.

Pro,

Thank you

Well maybe I had the wrong website for Prime Renovations. This is what Jeff Streich wrote me: "Thank you for your interest in Prime Renovations. We are only taking on full gut renovations. Sorry we cannot be of help."
I indicated that I wanted to do a gut renovation of a bathroom and build a new closet. I sent a follow up email to clarify and he said he repeated that he cannot take on small projects under 300K.

Jelj13,

The first part with the quote was correct. What I said was most of the projects we do now are 300k and up. I explained that we now have more expenses and we would have to charge you too much to take on a small project. Is that wrong?

jelj13:
What's the problem with a contractor (in this case, Primer) honestly informing you that he could not take on your job?
Would you rather deal with a contractor who tells you that he will do the work and then he can't?
(This would include: contractors who show up and start the job but then can't finish it on time/ or claim that they can't complete it without much more money than you agreed upon? Would you rather hire those dishonest contractors who tell you that they can't return to finish the job?)
Since Primer is currently working on projects that require his full staff , doing gut renovations (as described by front_porch ) would you want him to not give his best to those who hire him for such projects?
Do you want a referral for a contractor who does smaller jobs ?
A gut renovation of a bathroom and building a new closet is not considered to be a full gut renovation.
It's not even considered to be a renovation as described in the front_porch description of this discussion thread.

Nothing wrong with some honesty Jeff. Keep up the good work!!

I just want to add in my two cents. No offense to jelj13 who was just reporting back from his conversation. Primer renovated my apartment, not a full gut but pretty extensive, less than $300k and the work was fantastic. I literally think of his crew multiple times a week because I love my apartment now. Another time I had a contractor do a small project and some random work around my apartment. It was reasonably priced, not too expensive or inexpensive. The work was so-so and I had to have them revise several things which was a huge pain and waste of time. Renovation in general is very stressful but it says something about Primer that I am looking forward to the day years in the future when I call him up to renovate another apartment.

Sp21,

Thank you so much. It is very much appreciated.

jelj13: No offense to you and only to clarify.
It seemed that you weren't satisfied with the response from Primer.

Clearly you caused offense. An apology would suffice; an excuse and accusation won't do.

"Only to clarify" indeed!

Alan

Excuse and accusation? Please explain

I said I was sorry I couldn't be of help in the first email. I am not sure what else I would be sorry for. I receive many calls and cannot take on every project. I wish I could. If someone takes offense because I cannot work on their project there isn't much I can do.

I called Prime Renovations because the work shown on the company's website looked very good. Primer05 always seems to give good advise and a scan of the Internet showed good reviews. Since there have been many comments posted by Primer05 on giving quotes for smaller projects, such as IKEA kitchens, I decided to contact the firm. So I questioned whether I had called the correct firm when he mentioned only doing total gut renovations. If the firm has a relationship with certain people for whom they are willing to take on smaller jobs for them, that's their choice. There are no hard feelings on my part.

I have had 4 apartments and a house renovated extensively over the past 30 years. I prefer living in a place for a while and developing a "master plan" for renovations. I break the plan down into smaller projects keeping the "vision" in mind. I also do my own CAD diagrams/drawings, etc. long before I start a project and include all the materials I want to use.

I have had renovations done in 4 apartments and a house over the past 30 years. I don't like to do total gut renovations all in one shot. I might have a bathroom renovated and throw in a lot of smaller jobs along with it (door replacements throughout the apartment , total window replacement, etc.) .

Jelj13

I have no bad feelings about you either. I wish I could have done your project.

Best of luck to you

Now that's over with ...

Jeff, you never called me back. LOL

Primer, off topic but do you have any recos for a plasterer/installer to install both a flat screen (60 inch) and 71 inch wide electric fireplace (flat screen over the fireplace) in a hardcore pre-war wall (obviously hiding the wires, etc.)? Many thanks!

Vskse65,

Almost ready for you. Will call you next week.

Lz3,

Sorry I do not

Jeff

Primer,

I was just busting your chops bud. Call when you're ready.

Vslse65,

I know. just didn't want you to think I forgot about you. If you are in the city tomorrow I will be at the site that you could shoot at 10am.

Email me. primerenovations@mac.com

So, does anyone do "small jobs?" Change a vanity, sink, faucets.......change the shower head, handle (trim)....paint?...in a co-op?

Delly123,

I would try to find a contractor that is working in the building presently. It is much more cost effective and they might be able to send a guy for a day.