Home Improvement Costs!

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:45 AM

Home Improvement Costs!

How much would you estimate a kitchen would cost to install?

Ronnie was asked to install a kitchen. He said they can pick out and buy the cabinets and the tiles for the backsplash and floor and he will install and do all of the labor.....

What would you say .
Would you rather a price per hr or a overall flat price?

Lisa Rose Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:51 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

How big is the kitchen? Does he normally charge by the hour? will he have to rip out the old to install the new? Is he going to do all the work (i.e. installing cabinets, plumbing, tile work?)

There are alot of things to think about when doing a job. Installing a brand new kitchen takes alot of $$$, time and patience.

If he normally charges by the hour, then he should continue, but normally you would give a flat rate for the whole job!

Betty Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:54 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

My mom has a fairly small kitchen (in a co op) but she has lots of cabinets and they are very tall. She just got new cabinets (refacing) new counter top and new sink and it was like $6000 but that including buying the cabinets and stuff.

Not sure if this is what you are asking though

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:55 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

He will do all the demo work.
And install everything. It usually takes about 2 days. He will work alone.
Usually when he works with his company they aren't told what the customer is charged.
The customer asked a price for tonight. So Ronnie said ask around for me Babe.
This is a side job...

Demo work is easy and is bull work.
The skill is at placing the kitchen cabinets in, installing the applicances and then the tiles go in day 2.
I can't wait till he does my cabinets over.......

HELP ME MORE LISA!!!!!!!!!

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:57 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

Thanks Betty..

The cabinets the people wanted are about 2800 and the tiles about 500 more.
So that gives me a better idea about princing!!!!!!!!!!

Sonicstef Posted: Jun 05, 2003 10:57 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

It depends on a lot of factors but I would not personally hire someone who works by the hour. A professional should be able to give me a solid dollar amount and hold to that.

As for price, if its two days work..figure out how much he makes a year and then give them a daily rate.

So if he makes 50K a year, use $250/day so a $500 cost for the work.

shelzyp Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:00 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

Call Home Depot and find out what they charge for each of those services, and tell him to go lower then them. My mom bought her cabinets from Home Depot and hired a guy to come in and install them, but I am not sure what she paid for the install.

Wendy Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:25 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

Most contractors charge a flat rate to do the whole job. Of course it depends on how involved the job is as to what the rate will be. Also keep in mind if there are any additional things that need to be done. I had my kitchen redone and added a dishwasher which we never had before. Unfortunately we didn't have enough electrical service in the house to accomodate that so we had to up the service to 200 amps. That added to the cost. We also didn't have enough outlets to meet code so those had to be included as well. We also put in 4 new windows. More money. The list goes on and on. Who is responsible for disposal of the debris? Ronnie or the person he is doing the work for? He should also allow an extra day just in case there is anything that he doesn't have time to finish or any unforseen problems.

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:26 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

Thanks everyone for your insite!!!!!!!!!!

Kate Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:32 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

We don't normally charge by the hour, just a lump sum price to do the job. For small projects I bill out and estimate $65.00 per hour for our carpenters. So say about $520 per day.
However, since this is a side job I would say bring that number down a little.
He should leave a cushion in case it takes longer than expected.

OctBride03 Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:38 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

My dad does this type of work and he usually gives his customer a flat price labor and materials included.

Kathy116 Posted: Jun 05, 2003 12:02 PM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

I thought you take the price of the cabinets and counters, and then either take half that price as installation fee. But I'm not sure.

Valenia Posted: Jun 05, 2003 12:23 PM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

$500 sounds fair, or even low to me based on quotes I got for work at my place. I wouldn't blink an eye if he asked for that the redo the entire kitchen. Then again I'm clueless!

Claud2001 Posted: Jun 05, 2003 11:55 PM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

Theresa - I think $500 a day is LOW - he's doing all the demo work AND the new installation of tile, cabinets/countertops and backsplash???

He could EASILY get $1200-2000 just to install the floor and backsplash. The cabinets and countertops could earn him $1000 too. All of this depends on how large the kitchen is, but with the prices I've quoted, he would still be well below what Home Depot would charge to install everything.

michele31 Posted: Jun 06, 2003 05:44 AM

Re: Home Improvement Costs!

I also think that it depends on the patterns of the tile, because that can mean more work and time.

Ronnie should also consider looking into his own insurance if he is going to be doing demo work and new kitchen installs. Just in case something were to happen he would be personally responsible without any insurance.