Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 12:59 PM

Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

The carpenter we are working with just gave us an estimate for materials and labor for installing a solid oak banister and railing in our home. He said the cost will be between $1,000-1,500. Can anyone tell me if that's a fair estimate? Thanks...just trying to compare. The guy is a friend of my brother's and while I want to believe he's giving us a fair deal, I have nothing to compare it to.

Shamee Posted: Feb 19, 2003 01:15 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

I think it's fair. I had one of those powder coated steel tubing banisters/railing put in my house and it was around $1,000. I heard wood is MUCH more expensive (check Home Depot - just the edge pieces are like $40.00 a piece and up). Maybe you should get a second opinion. It wouldn't hurt.

michele31 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 01:16 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

How long is the banister Claud? What width is the banister? I will be getting my estimate in a day or so. The guy had 7-8 different banisters for me to look at, and the wider they were the more expensive. Also, the spindals were different prices.

alina Posted: Feb 19, 2003 01:21 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

what's a banister? just nosy and curious

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 01:51 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Alina - you crack me up! LOL! A banister is a long handle you hold onto as you are ascending or decending a staircase. It's also called a baluster or balustrade.

Thanks Sharon...I've made a couple of calls to see if I can get an idea of prices from some other people. This guy is getting the materials practically at cost, so I probably wouldn't use anyone else to actually do the install unless they were $1,000 cheaper! LOL!

The banister and railing will be solid oak wood. It's about 25 ft. worth of material, with posts at the top and bottom of the staircase and a gooseneck finish detail on the bottom. The width hasn't been decided yet, b/c they guy wants to see what is available when he goes to the warehouse. He's planning to get us the highest quality for the best price. He said he's not going to pass up great spindles just to save us 100 bucks (which I agree with), although it's not critically important for me to have the fanciest spindles.

Here's a pic of the gooseneck detail, b/c I know I'd get questions about it...

alina Posted: Feb 19, 2003 01:57 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Claud, Thanks Some of us still live in rented Jr. 1Br So a banister is a staircase railing, I get it... I liked the picture that you posted, it looks pretty. Will it be all custom made?

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:14 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Ronnie is a carpender and for the price you got you should get him lunch as well!

For the materials alone you should be paying like 5k for Oak which is one of the best woods ....

Labor usually costs more ...

He said for a job like that we would charge like 7k... PLUS material..

Good for you !!

Post a pic when you are done!

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:18 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Thanks Theresa...I would have asked you directly, if I knew your FH was a capenter. I appreciate your response.
My brother's friend said that we COULD spend about $5K if we wanted to! LOL! But, that would include a lot of upgrades like specialty spindles, etc.
I figured we were getting a good deal, but I just wanted to be sure.\
Thanks again!

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:28 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Ronnie is on the phone..

He said tell her to make sure its PRE Treated Oak..
He said to find out that way you will know if you are getting Real Oak or manufactured oak..

I said Like she can tell he said when the stair breaks in a few years she will be able to .. he said that stair case if its OAK will last a lifetime...........

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:43 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Claud: Is the guy you are using a woodworker or specifically a bannister guy?

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:46 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

He specializes in all kinds of wood work - finish details and trim, moldings, etc.

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:52 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

That means he is a finish carpender..

They are the highest paid in the business!!!!

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 02:56 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Yes, he is a finish carpenter...I wasn't sure if that was an actual 'title.' You should see the photos of his work - he's done some GORGEOUS stuff...he'll most likely be doing the wainscoting and crown moldings in my LR/DR someday...

He's coming over tomorrow night to take a look at another project for me...a built-in bookcase in the 'sitting area' of our MBR.

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:01 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

He does what Ronnie does....

Ronnie just did chair & picture molding all over the house and he made this design of boxes made out of chair molding for living room and dining room.

I will take a pic to show you..

The crown molding he did are so outrageous....

He just made me custom valences for my blinds in the living room. He made them from the crown moldings They are Oversized and made of maple and oak..

He then made me my living room tables.. He is so gifted and he gets the materials for free...........

If you have an idea of the bookcase let me know. I know Ronnie wants to make me one with a seat and light built in and then it gets built into the wall!!

Sonicstef Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:02 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Claud - I want a built in bookcase too! In fact our dining room needs a big (relative for my small house) bookshelf thing along with a new bannister. But I dont want to hire someone unless they are really suited for this sort of work because its such a focal point in the house.

Will he come to Brooklyn?

R&T: What you are describing (light built in and seat area in bookshelf) is just what im thinking! Has Ronnie done it before? Do you have photos to share? I'd love to see. What would he charge for something like that for a wall thats about 12 feet wide?

karen32 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:04 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Sorry to jump in on this side - I just got a quote for the oak banister and railing for the condo and it was $1,200. My FI's Aunt just used them and she was extremely pleased with them.

michele31 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:06 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

I LOVE built in bookcases/window seats. But that is a bit in the future for us. I guess home projects are never-ending.
Claud- is the staircase 25 ft. long? That is a huge staircase. I need to get stairs too. I wish I could just do the new railing but the stairs have to go.
You must post before and after photos.

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:13 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

Steph.

No pics.. But I will take and post pics of what he has done before. Usually he asks you what you like how often will it be used ect and he will draw something up for you..

He is now making me custom raidaitor(sp) covers with molding. I will post the pics when he is done so you get a feeling of his work..

I know he wants to make the bookcase and then have glass doors covering the books (no dust) and making the seat with the recest lighting....

I will get back to you!!

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 19, 2003 03:19 PM

Re: Just got an estimate...can anyone tell me if this is a fair price?

I don't think the staircase is 25 ft. long...although, the house is a colonial, so it's not a small staircase. Tthe measurements include a primary 9-10 foot wall banister. Then there's the 3-4 foot railing at the top of the stairs and the 4-5 foot railing at the bottom, with gooseneck. So, he said that he'd probably purchase about 20-25 ft. in materials, b/c the measurements are give/take a few inches here and there when they start to cut everything...plus, he didn't have the *exact* measurements in front of him when we spoke.

Stef - I do not know if he is willing to travel to Brooklyn. He is very busy b/c he is the head carpenter at a huge job site, and he is also running his brother's leaders and gutters business. But, if I see him tomorrow, I will definitely ask him for you!

Theresa...I'll let you know what he says about the built-in bookcase. Right now, the area that I want the built in is actually a small closet, so I am hoping that it will be relatively little construction to accomplish the 'look.' The doesn't have to bump out the outside wall of our house or anything.

Michele - I have a window seat in my LR...I love them...to me, they are such a romantic touch! I cannot wait to get into the house and start finding decorating ideas to 'dress' it!