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Having work done on our house - is this normal?
So, we're looking to put a small extension on the back of our house (walls/windows/lights - no bathroom or anything). We got an estimate from one guy, and it was INSANELY expensive... I think he was very overpriced b/c he gave me a estimate for a second small project that I asked about (putting up a wall/door in our bedroom, to make it into 2 smaller rooms) and he quoted me $8300... which seems just insane for a WALL (no plumbing, electrical, etc)
Anyhow, I called a few other ppl. One guy won't give me an estimate on the job unless I pay his architect $1000-$2000 for a plan. Now, I totally understand that he'd need a plan to DO the work, but I'm reluctant to pay this before I even get an estimate.
Is this normal? To shell out a few grand before I even know ballpark what this guy might charge?
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Posted 10/6/15 2:06 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
AngnShaun
Sisters
Member since 1/10 21015 total posts
Name:
Ang
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Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Absolutely not! My brother is a contractor and there's no way that's right!!!
Message edited 10/6/2015 2:10:41 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:10 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Right? I thought so! I have another guy tonight coming to give me an estimate.
I understand having plans drawn up after I've committed to someone, but I didnt think I should have to shell out $$ before that!!
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:13 PM |
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dajc23
My Loves :)
Member since 1/09 4980 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
That's crazy. My DH has his own construction company and he would never do that
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:13 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
I'm about ready to throw in the towel and just move into a tiny house.
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:14 PM |
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soontobemommyof2
My boys...my everything <3
Member since 4/15 3635 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by AngnShaun
Absolutely not! My brother is a contractor and there's no way that's right!!!
I agree! I've never heard of this, ever! My lo's godfather is a contractor and I've never heard him doing this. You should definitely contact other people, and get other estimates.
Message edited 10/6/2015 2:15:43 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:14 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Ty girls. I thought so, but now the guy is texting me a few times asking me if I contact the architect yet! You'd think I was building a new wing my house. Its a damn 12x14 room for a pool table.
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:17 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Sounds like a scam between him and this architect
I'd say to him- I'd like to use my own architect for the plans.
See what he says
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:22 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
I'm just hoping this guy tonight is reasonable b/c so I'm so tired of having this hanging over my head.
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| Posted 10/6/15 2:29 PM |
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ChilisWife
God Bless America
Member since 5/05 3572 total posts
Name:
A.K.
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
We just built a small extension. Probably 120 sf. It was insanely expensive. We got a "ballpark" estimate from contractor but not definite until we had architect plans. Once you have plans, you can shop around for other contractor quotes. Our final price was more than the estimate. Why? Because the plans really flush out the details, materials, structural issues, etc.
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| Posted 10/6/15 3:34 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Message edited 10/6/2015 3:43:47 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/15 3:42 PM |
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dajc23
My Loves :)
Member since 1/09 4980 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Umm that's ridiculous. We rear dormered our upstairs and added 3bdrm and a full bath and we didn't even pay that much. Granted DH just had to pay for materials but regardless that's insane
Eta: I asked DH and he said it actually could be that much depending on if you need to pour a slab, permits etc.
what do I know lol
Message edited 10/6/2015 4:02:31 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/15 3:47 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by dajc23
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Umm that's ridiculous. We rear dormered our upstairs and added 3bdrm and a full bath and we didn't even pay that much. Granted DH just had to pay for materials but regardless that's insane
My guess is that the guy doesn't "need" the work that badly, but if I was willing to pay through the a$$ he would have taken my money.
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| Posted 10/6/15 3:48 PM |
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ChilisWife
God Bless America
Member since 5/05 3572 total posts
Name:
A.K.
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Uh, yeah, for a simple extension that is too much!
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| Posted 10/6/15 4:37 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by ChilisWife
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Uh, yeah, for a simple extension that is too much!
If he would have quoted me a more normal price for putting up the wall in my bedroom ($8300!?!?) then I might have thought I had no concept of how expensive extensions are, but I feel like I can't trust him b/c of the super inflated bedroom price.
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| Posted 10/6/15 4:38 PM |
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kn2011
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/10 537 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Posted by ChilisWife
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Yeah, I'm looking for a ballpark estimate. This guy gave me a price of $54k for a 12x14 room, and that didn't include heat or flooring. (not the architect guy - the first estimate)
Uh, yeah, for a simple extension that is too much!
If he would have quoted me a more normal price for putting up the wall in my bedroom ($8300!?!?) then I might have thought I had no concept of how expensive extensions are, but I feel like I can't trust him b/c of the super inflated bedroom price.
I have a cape and I had my unfinished upstairs finished /heated/high hats for 4k and hten I had bedroom and closets and painted done later for like 2k -- 8300 seems INSANE .. you can probably do it yourself for a few hundred -- ITs just sheetrock!
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| Posted 10/6/15 4:47 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
For an extension, you should have an architect draw up a plan for you. You'll need drawings to get a permit and this way, you can get real estimates, not just some guy throwing a number at it.
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| Posted 10/6/15 4:54 PM |
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Blubtrflygrl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/15 609 total posts
Name:
allison
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by dpli
For an extension, you should have an architect draw up a plan for you. You'll need drawings to get a permit and this way, you can get real estimates, not just some guy throwing a number at it.
This.
And a decent contractor would probably give you a verbal estimate to start.
FTR though, not sure how much you quoted, but we are doing renos now ourselves....I'm floored with just how much materials alone cost.
Add in 3 or 4 guys for labor and it adds up quickly.
We recently had our roof extended and a front porch added. DH did the work and had most of the labor and some materials bartered but if we paid out of pocket it would've been easily $25-$30k.
I would also get recs for a decent architect. We had a freakin' wackadoo who took forever, and then kept sending us bills for his work already paid.
I believe there is a vendor on here but the name is escaping me at the moment.
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| Posted 10/6/15 6:23 PM |
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Binx214
LIF Infant
Member since 9/07 98 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Having work done on our house - is this normal?
My husband who does this for a living said even if they charged a high price of $200 a square foot it would only come to just under 29k. That's everything from foundation up wood floors instead of carpet etc. he said anything over $250 a square foot is ridiculous and that's even high.
Also if you're in the town of brookhaven not sure if most towns are the same but any addition under 600 square feet do not need an architects plan. The builder or your husband could even draw it up.
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| Posted 10/6/15 6:45 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Thanks for the input! We had a guy come tonight to look. He seemed nice so hopefully his estimate isn't insane. I have no issues with having an architect draw plans, I just feel like I need a ballpark estimate before I drop a grand on blueprints.
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| Posted 10/6/15 8:36 PM |
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Just an update:
We had three other estimates - ALL of them were HALF of what the expensive guy quoted, and all gave us a "ballparK estimate" before having to commit to an architect.
Excited to have the work started in a week! Ty for all of the input 
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| Posted 10/19/15 1:15 PM |
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mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!
Member since 3/09 8585 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by dpli
For an extension, you should have an architect draw up a plan for you. You'll need drawings to get a permit and this way, you can get real estimates, not just some guy throwing a number at it.
This is how it usually works. My brother is a GC. It's sort of a waste of time for a contractor to come out and look and give a ballpark estimate with plans. Also extensions cost big bucks. 54k is probably a pretty close ballpark number. When a contractor gives you a ball park without seeing plans you need to expect that number to increase. Also when getting estimates please do not just choose the lowest. Sometimes there is a reason why one person is cheaper than the others. Get referrals if you can.
Message edited 10/19/2015 1:52:18 PM.
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| Posted 10/19/15 1:50 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Having work done on our house - is this normal?
Posted by Penny4YourThoughs
Just an update:
We had three other estimates - ALL of them were HALF of what the expensive guy quoted, and all gave us a "ballparK estimate" before having to commit to an architect.
Excited to have the work started in a week! Ty for all of the input
Great update. Goes to show you what rip off artists some people are
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| Posted 10/19/15 2:34 PM |
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