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Posted by MiamiCuse on May 19, 2007, 5:10 am
>> I need to install T1-11 boards as ceiling in a porch area. I have about
>> 800
>> SF of porch space and I was quoted a price of $6500 to install it (labor
>> +
>> material). The labor involves cutting the 4x8 sheets to the porch
>> dimension, in some areas I have overhead hi-hats so those need to be cut.
>> For the most part it is pretty straight and uncomplicated. It does NOT
>> include the cost of painting the boards. The materials will be the
>> boards
>> themselves which sells for about $22.00 per sheet in local lumber yards,
>> staple guns and nails. Now this works out to be $8/SF. This is more
>> expensive than laying tiles!
>>
>> I asked the guy and he said hanging stuff upside down (the porch is 7
>> feet
>> from the floor reachable by hand without being on a ladder) is very
>> difficult and that is why its so expensive.
>>
>> Anyone knows what the on going rate should be?
>
> You've been working on the house for a while now with a few stumbling
> blocks along the way. Constantly shopping for contractors is wasting
> your time and money. Money that could be put to far better use hiring
> a qualified contractor that would be willing to work on more than one
> project on your house.
>
> It's pointless to ask the "going" rate. You need real numbers from
> real contractors in your area. The number you've gotten so far is in
> "unreal" territory. Call some other contractors and get some more
> numbers. Talk to some material suppliers, hardware stores, neighbors,
> postman, etc. and start putting together a list of recommended
> contractors. When you start seeing the same names pop up, you've
> found a good place to start.
>
> Contractors' prices usually improve as the contractor becomes familiar
> with whoever hired them, whether GC or homeowner. Once they've
> learned that you're not an unknown quantity - not a pain in the ass,
> nit-picking perfectionist, slow paying, unrealistic expectations -
> their risk decreases and they enjoy the job more. Two critical
> elements in getting good prices.
>
> Do the legwork now. Find that guy that's willing to tackle an
> assortment of jobs as your finances allow. It'll be effort well
> spent.
>
> R
>
Thats easier said than done. I have been trying for months without luck.
Seems general contractors are an extinct species. Talked to all my friends,
neighbors and co-workers and same thing "yep we been looking too, no one is
available". I think Wilma really did south Florida in...every other house
got damaged, in flux of out of state contractors to make quick bucks, a lot
of unlicensed contractors came and collected 50% down from retired elderlys
and never show, skyrocketing insurance, property taxes and housing cost may
have sent the good contractors somewhere else.
The few I found via yellow pages or business cards tagged to big box store
bulletin boards did not impress me - I mean - they seem to know far less
than I do - and I don't know a whole lot LOL.
It seems all I can find are "designers". They will hire architects for me,
architects will hire engineers, and they also will hire contractors for me
who will then coordinate with the subs. However I cannot afford a
"designer". Talked to one the other day and his fee is $400 a day flat over
the life of the project on top of the architect's fee, engineer's fee,
contractor's fee and construction cost.
I have been looking for a good contractor. They are just no where to be
found. So for now I am hiring the tradesman for specific tasks until I find
one. So far I found one good electrician, went through three subpar
finished carpenters, interviewing a few framing and drywall finishers, have
not found a good plumber yet, have yet to find and talk to a mason, I might
have found a good lawn care guy, he did cut my grass without knocking out
all the sprinkler heads LOL.
If all goes well I move in one year from now.
MC
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