Contractors/Laborers - Absolutely ABSURD!

[DrinkMore]

We have this wood porch on the side of house. This is the door that leads into the kitchen. It's the door we use. We don't use the front door. The porch is wood and is like an amusement park ride because it sways back and forth because it's not attached to the house anymore and all the planks are coming up. Really old and in dire need of replacement.

So, we got a number of a guy that was recommended for doing good work. He came out and did all the measuring and such. Several days later - today - he calls back and gives us the estimate. $4,500.00 dollars. I almost fell out of my seat. This porch is about 4 feet wide, and about 10 feet long. A straight porch. It has 3 steps, you step up, on the porch, walk 5 feet and your at the door. Hand rail and that's about it. A small, standard porch. I told the guy thanks and hung up. My brain got the better of me and I decided to call back and get some info.

I asked him how much the material cost was. He said roughly $1,500.00. Seems pretty high to me. So that leaves, $3,000.00 dollars. That's a lot of labor. So I asked him how much I would save if there was no porch there. I take it out myself and you start from blank. He said $500. I said ok. How much will I save if you nail the deck instead of screw. He said about $500. You all following that? Were now at $2,000.00 dollars in labor now. I asked him how many days and how many guys. He said 3 guys including himself and 4 days. Do the math. That's $166 dollars a day for 3 guys for 4 days. That's $33 dollars an hour for 5 hours, each guy.

I find this estimate to be BS. Please correct me if I am wrong. The guy didn't even have a list of costs. He just came up with a nice round number after he got an idea of materials cost. I could hear it when I was asking him all these questions. He also kept saying - get this - he had to level, cut, nail and make sure everything was secure. That's why the cost was there. I was thinking to myself - WTF? Seriously did he just say that?

Another excuse was we have a brick house and he has to drill into the brick to attach the 6x6's to the house. Ok. I got that and... ? Does it really take 3 guys - 4 days to build such a small porch? Do they really think I am that stupid? Granted 1 day would be needed for the poles to set up in the concrete, but after that - day 2 they should zip on through. I have seen it done and that was with 1 person!!! Imagine how fast it would be with 2!

Jesus. Am I really off in how much I think this is going to cost? Material costs alone that he quoted seems double what it should. Seems nobody out there is honest anymore. Jeesh.

[AppleCrumbDlite]

in all seriousness have you just considered doing it yourself? Sure it'd take a while longer, but a simple wood porch shouldnt be that difficult

[brettallica]

That seems really high to me. I wonder if he's factoring some kind of fancy wood or something. But yeah, that's way too much to spend on a porch that size. I would still have him (or you, or whoever) screw it all together instead of nail. I would just find someone else to do it other than this guy.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by AppleCrumbDlite

in all seriousness have you just considered doing it yourself? Sure it'd take a while longer, but a simple wood porch shouldnt be that difficult

Don't have the tools, patience or know how.

Originally Posted by brettallica

That seems really high to me. I wonder if he's factoring some kind of fancy wood or something. But yeah, that's way too much to spend on a porch that size. I would still have him (or you, or whoever) screw it all together instead of nail. I would just find someone else to do it other than this guy.

Standard wood. 6x6 posts, decking board. Nothing fancy. Yes, if/when it ever gets done, it will be screwed down, not nailed. I was seeing what the "cost difference" was. Still, I don't know how screwing costs more. It is much quicker than nailing. I have seen it done. It's like a mechanic that removes a tire. ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP. Fast as hell.

[Rob71]

I don't want to throw a fellow contractor under the bus, but I would lose his number. Granted I'm almost exclusively kitchen and bath cabinets now, but I've built a deck or two and that seems a little steep. Anything out of the ordinary like handicap access or the like?

Also...4 days?

[Grumpz]

LET THE SOB STARV!

Last yr, I built 12x16 deck, with 4 steps down. Metals stringers for steps, handrails to code. 3 ground hogs cuz it's almost 4 off the ground.

It cost me less than $2000 bucks for material...CANADIAN! Everybody and their dog knows the lumber in the US is way cheaper than here, that's why guys drive down to Grand Forks and haul the wood back.

He's hosing you on labour and materials.

EGG HIS HOUSE!

[toef]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Don't have the tools, patience or know how.




Standard wood. 6x6 posts, decking board. Nothing fancy. Yes, if/when it ever gets done, it will be screwed down, not nailed. I was seeing what the "cost difference" was. Still, I don't know how screwing costs more. It is much quicker than nailing. I have seen it done. It's like a mechanic that removes a tire. ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP. Fast as hell.

Well a nail gun is really fast. Depending on the size of the screw, they'd probably have to pre-drill every hole, which is always fun, and if they want to counter-sink the screws, even more time. So screws would definitely take more time, but enough time to pay $500 more? I don't think so.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by toefer

Well a nail gun is really fast. Depending on the size of the screw, they'd probably have to pre-drill every hole, which is always fun, and if they want to counter-sink the screws, even more time. So screws would definitely take more time, but enough time to pay $500 more? I don't think so.

Nope, they'll use a screw gun. They're awsome. Used one. You get to stand upright...and just walk along and put the head where you want the bam!

[Clark Kent]

Apparently some contractors like to give these crazy estimates if they are not too desperate for business. I got some insanely high bids when I wanted to replace my roof last year.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Apparently some contractors like to give these crazy estimates if they are not too desperate for business. I got some insanely high bids when I wanted to replace my roof last year.

I know it's common place to do it when they are crazy busy. That way when they are swamped, if they hose someone in quote and get the job, it's worth it.

[Leopold BUTTERS]

I'm a carpenter and I can tell you it doesn't even take a day to build a deck. They are my favorite part about building a house. It only takes 2 guys to build one as well. And I would go screws by the way, also make sure if you are using treated lumber to get the proper screws. Hot dipped galvanized screws because the solution in treated lumber eats away other types of screws.

Edit*

BTW, I know that being able to build a deck in a day sounds like I rush, but I really do not, they are very easy to do and I always make them look beautiful, they are finished a product after all.

[DrinkMore]

Thanks for the info guys. I still can't understand why he would tell me $4,500 dollars. Just ticks me off. Greedy bastard. I will have to take some measurements to be sure. I may be off a few feet but not by much I don't think.

I knew he was full of shit when I started asking him how much each item was and he did not have a figure already. He was just spouting out a figure to make it seem like it was expensive. Just goes to affirm to me that he just checked on the materials, jacked up the price and threw in a nice round number for labor.

No thanks. Ugh. I made a post on craigslist looking for someone. I got a reply. I will see where that goes.

[Beta Man]

we had a porch built, and it was a "BIG" one..... they had to dig footers, pour foundation, etc... and if you don't count the Day they took off to allow the footers to set, or the time they had to wait for the custom pillars to arrive..... the whole thing was done, with three guys, in about 4 working days..... And this was a $17,000 porch that supported the porch above it etc.....

If it takes these guys 4 days for a porch that small.... it's time to call someone else, but don't take the "Cheapest" estimate either....... find someone who you're confident in to do the work properly......

[camper]

Call me crazy, but I don't get estimates from any less than 3 contractors for the same job.

camper

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by camper

Call me crazy, but I don't get estimates from any less than 3 contractors for the same job.

camper

same here.......

[Porkchop Express]

Originally Posted by camper

Call me crazy, but I don't get estimates from any less than 3 contractors for the same job.

camper

Alot of contractors are hurting for work right now as well. I'm sure you can find a cheaper quote.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by Porkchop Express

Alot of contractors are hurting for work right now as well. I'm sure you can find a cheaper quote.

That's what I'd think. It surprises me that he'd try to hose anyone right about now.

Aren't people afraid to spend money these days?

[mikejet]

He's not going to pay 3 guys from outside home depot $33 an hour. He's going to pay them $50 a day and pocket the rest.

[Fors*]

I always trust referrals and get at least 3 quotes. With any construction, if I don't get at least a few people telling me they like his work, then it s no go. Maybe you could ask him for the names of some customers he had to get their feedback. Of course, he may only give you the names of 3 friends too? Try to find another contractor with at least 3 referrals from your friends and compare. I think this would be a better gauge of how much it should be, not to mention the quality of the work.

[Teabaggins]

this is what the contractor saw when he was talking to OP