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Thread: Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice
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05-19-2019, 01:29 PM #1001Registered User
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Thanks guys, that's all a big help. I'm all excited on a new building purchase and am frustrated I can't Amazon 1-click everything to get a budget going. I have no clue what ANYTHING costs. I just want to know if windows cost X, then I have Y left over to fix some other things. But everything is a big mystery, so I thought I'd be able to find out some prices myself, since I have the time. Hit a brick wall and had to vent. Foggy, you seem like a great guy to work with, but there are so many horror stories of people working with the fastfreds or much worse in your industry, you can't take offense if some rant it doesn't apply to you, you have to know it DOES apply to a lot of people in your biz. And you are right, a small job like mine is not priority. In my line of biz, every fucking job is as much priority because I treat my customers the same. If I can't do that, I say no to the job. The smaller budget excuse is for people who don't know how to run a biz, period. (Not syaing that's you at all!) So it's frustrating, in the past, (not this project), when I'm treated like I'm a waste of time when I know that's shitty biz practice.
I do find it weird that you run away from projects where customer wants input. Are you saying you want the choices done between him and the architect beforehand, and you want to come in with all the choices done? That would make sense of course. Totally understandable! I'll try not to question the GC so much if it's not the norm then, and if he has no free time to look at options anyways...
THAT SAID, the contractor I'm working is a friend and I'm going to work with him and cut him slack as necessary. I like him. He finally called me back and will sort out some window prices Monday. I want to be an informed customer and not waste money, not a pain-in-the-ass customer. I don't see anything wrong knowing what a contractor can get price-wise compared to Lowes, but now I think I should have not told him I went to Lowes, ha.
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05-19-2019, 02:50 PM #1002
Most of what you just said supports my hypothesis but nothing sums it up better than
no free time
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05-19-2019, 03:06 PM #1003
RE: amazon 1-click
construction is nothing like retail
NOTHING is repeated in projects, as much as it may seem like it. You could roll out the same store in three different indoor malls with the same construction team and have the costs vary just based on the individual locations (layouts might be different; access may be different; labor market may be different; etc)
or...if you bid the same scope to 3 subs, they may propose doing it slightly differently from each other, so comparing $$'s is not always apples to apples
there are similarities, of course, but it is so fundamentally different from shopping for things that it really doesn't help to think about it that way
your project is unique to you & your location & your gc/team
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05-19-2019, 03:08 PM #1004
it'd be so much better for GCs if there was just an app for millenials to interface with them via.
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05-19-2019, 03:19 PM #1005Registered User
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Foggy: Whoa, I should have said he has 'no time', not 'free time'. I expect him to charge me for every second he works with/for me. I do the same in my biz.
All that has happened with this project is he has walked through the building with me, and I listed what I'd like done. I then drew out a somewhat accurate floorplan of the building for him (and me), and highlighted what I want done in an email. Like let's fill in this window for good properly, and replace these, and this is where the new bathroom will go. I haven't heard back on a quote on anything, now he is just getting a window quote on Monday, but I'd love one big quote for everything. SO I don't know what planning costs and I expect to be charged for it. No contract, no estimate, no nothing yet. Makes me a bit concerned but keeping calm. If i had that quote most of my answers would be.....answered.
Project is a slight remodel, replacing 90"x48"wide windows that are 50? years old with 24"x48" wide fixed, frosted windows with grids. 7 of them. Just for letting in light as all current windows are boarded off. Front door needs a refresh with some windows near it. Building is concrete blocks, so cutting in bigger windows for the front and moving the door I'm guessing will cost me.
Also adding a second bathroom and putting in a garage door where one was removed and blocked off. Also re-doing some of the interior non-load bearing walls into a more office-friendly floorplan. Once I see the first quote I'll realize what I can and can't do.
I was thinking of calling a plumber to get a quote on adding a bathroom, is that even out-of-line?
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05-19-2019, 03:20 PM #1006Registered User
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05-19-2019, 04:03 PM #1007
What is your budget $50K? $100K? Figure 10% of that to the GC and 10% for architecture, engineering, permits, other pre-construction expenses etc. Tell your buddy that you are willing to start cutting these checks immediately. Then hopefully he can schedule the appropriate site visits. Picking windows is pretty far down the list of priorities right now. If you have to spend $5K to figure out that you can't afford your dream is it worth it for you?
You did not describe and easy, inexpensive job. Oh...replace "quote" with "estimate" in your vernacular. This will not be a fixed price job. What is the floor construction? Where is the sewer main? Will you have to pay an additional tap fee for the new bathroom? Do you need steel headers for the new windows? What about interior and exterior finish?
You wanna know "how much?" and the GC is thinking "how much for what?". You need to get to a defined scope to even have a chance at figuring out a budget. All cost deviations and contingencies will be your responsibility.
Real...you think a plumber can give you a price to add a bathroom? Do you have any idea what trades are involved in adding a bathroom?
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05-19-2019, 04:40 PM #1008Registered User
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Thinking 50k: as a completely uneducated client. Quickly learning how quick money can be spent. Might have to do some this year, save, do the rest next year.
Floor is concrete, sewer main is a few feet from where the new toilet is being placed. Water line is already right where it needs to be for an easy tap....not that I know what an easy tap is, ha. Guessing here. Steel headers should be good to keep in all replacing windows, but will have to get new steel headers for new door and bigger front windows.
he mentioned already it's a guessing game until he tears into the structure, so copy that. As for defined scope, I thought that was the email I sent. As in he'd read it, and bring his site-knowledge visit to provide me costs. If I have to list everything in great detail I have a lot to learn, shit.
I meant just adding pipes and shit, not the whole bathroom. Am I wrong to deal direct for a plumbing quote? Now I think about it I don't really care either way.
Thanks Foggy.
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05-19-2019, 06:06 PM #1009Registered User
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puff puff the magic dragon
put plastic up or keep em boarded up
average 75 windows a year, I hate fucking windows, why do you even need windows when your blinds are closed all the time
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05-19-2019, 06:25 PM #1010
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05-19-2019, 06:47 PM #1011Registered User
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Ha. How do you find/vet an architect for a small project like this that no one probably cares to do unless they are inexperienced?
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05-19-2019, 07:28 PM #1012Registered User
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whoa bro
yeah you do
got three hrs into a railing for some stairs and a balcony
cause goof ball drew a pretty picture in his office with his nice computer
Prolly have six to eight into it all before the shop drawings go to the welder, I'm able to actually able to go buy material, and then send the rest of the shit to the carpenter
puff puff
pretty pictures, big fucking dreams, and lots of money
that's what I live for
I hate my life but the money is so damn good
can't belive how many clients called me today fucking sunday bitches, who do they think I am
puff puff
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05-19-2019, 07:32 PM #1013
Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice
Same way you find a dentist or lawyer or doc who does the procedure you want
Talk to people (gc’s or other property/business owners know who they like), vet their direct experience; interview/talk to them
It is also possible that you don’t need an architect.
A “designer” who does tenant improvements might also be able to help you (depends on the professional exemption law in your jurisdiction). Could be way cheaper.Last edited by acinpdx; 05-19-2019 at 07:56 PM.
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05-19-2019, 07:56 PM #1014Registered User
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05-19-2019, 08:02 PM #1015Registered User
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Lot of window talk on the last page...
I need to replace 2 windows (well 1 window and 1 door turning into a window). Double hung, factory mulled, total width about 72".
Anderson 400 or Marvin Integrity?
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05-19-2019, 08:30 PM #1016
Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice
Andersen is a wood window with alum cladding
Marvin Integrity is a fiberglass window with optional wood interior
Depends on what you want and what will get you better pricing locally...
I’ve found regional access is sometimes part of the equation
Which matches your house?
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05-19-2019, 08:34 PM #1017
Muted, think relationship...not transaction. That is why you need a GC and you need to let him/her do his job. I've know my go to engineer/architect for 20+ yrs., I can get him to do small jobs like spec glue lams and bracket details for deck repairs. Guess what? He has customer relationships also. Frequently, he needs to recommend a contractor that he will have to work with. See how that works? So many people these days have no idea how business gets done.
Freddy, stair and landing railings are probably the most classically fucked design. The framers don't drop the first tread the the stair rail doesn't plane with the landing, nothing is blocked so it's all floppy cock, architects generally have no idea. I bring the guys over from the weld shop at $300/hr for all of us and site build a template. Fuck it.
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05-19-2019, 10:28 PM #1018Best regards, Terry
(Direct Contact is best vs PMs)
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05-20-2019, 07:54 AM #1019Registered User
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05-20-2019, 08:06 AM #1020
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05-20-2019, 08:14 AM #1021
I hope this is an easy question. Plugging in some night lights yesterday, I noticed the plug that is part of the Jacuzzi tub timer was super dim??? The Jacuzzi motor no longer works. Is there something in common with these two issues that an electrician could possibly fix for not all the cash in my wallet? Hoping not enough power is going to the timer for some silly reason and if replaced, boom, the Jacuzzi motor works again. That would make the wife very happy.
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05-20-2019, 08:29 AM #1022
No one wants to pay up front, nor allow the time needed, on a project for dialed in detailing on projects that would reduce padded bids and inherent construction inefficiencies leading to change orders. ('We'll just work it out with our contractor.') Plus, unfortunately, there's the liability factor where the more the detail in the drawings, the more nit picking and finger pointing can occur from the contractor, owner, subs, lawyers etc if the intent is missed and there is a screw up.
The best projects are the one's where there is inherent trust that all are working together and are allowed to do their job. Being able to work with the contractor, subs, suppliers and other talent during the process to work things out, get ahead of problems and costs is really good process.Best regards, Terry
(Direct Contact is best vs PMs)
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05-20-2019, 08:52 AM #1023
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05-20-2019, 09:23 AM #1024
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05-20-2019, 09:43 AM #1025
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