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p_bennett_gw

Fair Estimate in DC Area?

P_Bennett
11 years ago

I am having the following work estimated. What do you guys think about this estimate in the DC area?

A. Demolition & Site preparation.
1. Protect all adjoining areas with plastic & drop cloths as necessary.
2. Haul away waste material & jobsite clean-up.
3. Wrap all wood trim around outside windows

Kitchen - 130 sq ft.

Demo and dispose flooring in kitchen (currently vinyl)
Provide and install oak wood flooring- allowance $3.00 sq. ft.
Skim coat walls and sand as needed and make them ready for paint
Paint all walls and ceilings, neutral colors

Powder room - 20 sq ft.

Demo and dispose wall tile, floor tile, toilet, pedestal sink
Provide and install new floor tile- allowance $5.00 sq. ft.
Provide and apply grout for floor tile
Provide and install 30âÂÂW vanity with granite grade A countertop- allowance $500
Provide and install vanity faucet- allowance $200
Provide and install new toilet- allowance $300
Client provides light fixture, mirror, and accessories
Skim coat walls and sand as needed and make them ready for paint
Paint all walls and ceilings, neutral color

Total $7,900.00

Comments (14)

  • P_Bennett
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    live_wire_oak,

    Thanks for the follow up, and I agree with making the scope more specific. I assumed I would be going to the showroom to pick out materials with the above allowances, or cheaper. So that would be determined before final approval.

    But you really think this job should be 3-4x what the estimate states? I don't see how that is possible...for $20-30k I can redo the whole kitchen.

  • _sophiewheeler
    11 years ago

    Average kitchen remodels in the US are 56K for a medium priced redo. Over 100K for a high end redo. No way are you doing to get a 20K in the DC metro as the cost of living there is much higher than average. Unless it's total HD builder grade that you DIY.

    Average bath remodels are 17K. You're doing that and additional flooring. You haven't added in the needed electrical and plumbing trades either. Nor addressed the issues that adding wood flooring to a kitchen after the cabinets are installed will bring. You will have issues with appliance heights not working anymore.

    Yeah, sticker shock isn't fun.

  • homebound
    11 years ago

    They're not getting a new kitchen. Just new floor (hardwood) and paint.

    Not sure about the powder room since I can't see how much tile (walls or just baseboard?).

    Allowances for vanity and toilet are too low.

    I'm in the area. Want me to look at it? :)

  • _sophiewheeler
    11 years ago

    Soliciting work on here is expressly prohibited by the terms of service.

  • kirkhall
    11 years ago

    Not entirely.

  • brickeyee
    11 years ago

    And Virginia, Maryland, and DC have VERY different labor rates.

  • lyvia
    11 years ago

    It might be helpful to consult a realtor, especially one who moves property in your area, in your price range. I was really impressed at my realtor's rolodex - he has kitchen guys, flooring guys, roofing guys - all kinds of guys! And he is familiar with their work and pricing. I didn't realize how connected home improvement and real estate sales are.

  • PRO
    Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
    11 years ago

    And Virginia, Maryland, and DC have VERY different labor rates.

    for sure!

  • homebound
    11 years ago

    And Virginia, Maryland, and DC have VERY different labor rates.

    DC gets special consideration for their big brother style. Too many traffic cameras (25 or 30 mph on major arteries), little parking, heavy traffic and $50 tickets if you get caught without a seat belt. I just pulled away from a job and before I remembered to slap it on, got waved over and ticketed for $50. One other time I got a warning at night for not wearing one- they use night vision. Nice city.

    (Yes, I do wear seat belts most of the time.)

  • brickeyee
    11 years ago

    You should see the DC bureaucracy.

    They seem to have a department for every little item, all remote form each other.

    I stopped doing ANY work in DC many years ago.

    I was slapped with a stop work order for installing cove molding INSIDE a house.

    I think they did not like the Virginia license plates.

  • kirkhall
    11 years ago

    ($50 for no seatbelt is 1/2 price here!)

  • millworkman
    11 years ago

    Dam, NY is $90 or $100 plus a $40 surcharge for the state!

  • homebound
    11 years ago

    $50 and 2 points, actually.

    On a separate note, wouldn't it be great if they gave citations for "DLAJ: (driving like a jack@s...)? Extra points for DC cabbies who like to stop the cab 6'-8' off the curb to block the second lane. I'd support those initiatives.

    This post was edited by homebound on Thu, Mar 7, 13 at 20:08