What is the "going rate" for an home alterations?

edco · #1 04-01-2008, 01:59 AM

We've been going through this for nearly a year. The design really is simple. We have a cape, and the right side has enough footage for us to add 16ft, 2 story addition and not encroach on the neighbors property.
We've had no less than 5 architects walk out because we asked innocent questions like :"Is there any flexibility in your price?" "Can you recommend a builder that is particularly GOOD and perhap a bit HUNGRY with the market the way it is?" You would think I was asking them to sell a kidney.

So we found a builder who wants about $100K. Now keep in mind that this figure does not include carpet, tiles, painting, fixtures (ie bathroom), etc etc etc. We realise that a tile can cost $1 or $100, but we're not looking to construct the Taj Mahal. Just a place when my son and his wife come for visits with their own bathroom. The upstairs is merely a box with an additional master bath (again, no golden faucets). It appears to me (and admittedly this is not a subject I know well) that $150 a sq ft is a bit excessively when we are adding only about 760 sq feet.

So if there is someone who can school me in where to go look for quality builders, and equally compentent architects, I would be eternally grateful.
In the meantime, we're trying to find (via Craigslist) someone who can upgrade our bathroom which is circa 1945. It's a 5 X 7 room and Pat's already selected the tiles for the floor and the top. and a few odds and ends and we are up to $4000. Is it possible to find someone who'll rip out the old sheet rock (ps, there is no mold or damage of any kind) and greenboard, run the pipes, install the next wall board and put in the fixtures and new tile for an additional $4000 - $6000, so my total cost is $10K.

Give me a reality check...Am I living in the past? I though builders were hungry (not to appear opportunitistic), but maybe its a win-win for both of us. I'm not looking for CHEAP, just good work at a fair price..

Your feedback is quite welcome..just keep the insults to a minimum please. And did I mention we are in no rush...

Thanks is advance to my X5 buddies

ED in Metuchen, NJ 08840

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AzX5 · #2 04-01-2008, 10:01 AM

Wow, you can build a new home here in AZ for $100/S.F. including tile, carpet, fixtures, etc. so $150 seems a bit high to me. I guess the Architects have a huge design fee or perhaps the permit fees are outrageous there. I doubt the labor or material costs are much different in your location than here.

chefwong · #3 04-01-2008, 11:17 AM

good luck.....

in my experience with the trades, a good one is worth every $$ they are asking for. QUALITY work is hard to find these days, or I it depends on what your level of quality is.....

It took me 7 months to find a tilesetter I was comfortable with.

E61Silver · #4 04-01-2008, 11:23 AM

With the housing market getting soft, you might get more bang for your dollar trading up to another home.

You also will not have to live through the mess and aggravation of the renovation.

Quicksilver · #5 04-01-2008, 11:59 AM

Just suppose for a moment someone likes their house, likes their location, and thinks the renovation or addition to their existing house would be cheaper. What then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

With the housing market getting soft, you might get more bang for your dollar trading up to another home.

You also will not have to live through the mess and aggravation of the renovation.

Quicksilver · #6 04-01-2008, 12:04 PM

I know people who try to get work like this done on the cheap. The end result is it looks like wino's did it.
Ask others in your area who have had similar work done with the kind of results you expect. Then contact those contractors for
prices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefwong

good luck.....

in my experience with the trades, a good one is worth every $$ they are asking for. QUALITY work is hard to find these days, or I it depends on what your level of quality is.....

It took me 7 months to find a tilesetter I was comfortable with.

Boston X5 4.4 · #7 04-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzX5

I doubt the labor or material costs are much different in your location than here.

Hiring the illegals in Az certainly cuts costs

Its worth the wait/cost to find someone good. Good contractors are busy in all markets.
Best thing to do is to ask friends and friends of friends etc. - they can give recommendations and ballpark costs.

Good luck

E61Silver · #8 04-01-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Just suppose for a moment someone likes their house, likes their location, and thinks the renovation or addition to their existing house would be cheaper. What then?

I was trying to help it might be cheaper to get another home in the same community. Generally speaking the amount you spend on a renovation is greater than its additional market value.

Suppose you don't know it all and don't need to be such a hard ass!

Quicksilver · #9 04-01-2008, 12:29 PM

This poster was trying to get info on "What is the "going rate" for an home alterations? He's not asking for advice on where to move.

You got any advice on home remodeling and a contractor that will do the work in his area for a good price? If you do then i believe he may appreciate your perspective regarding how to get the work done.

E61Silver · #10 04-01-2008, 12:49 PM

[QUOTE=Quicksilver]This poster was trying to get info on "What is the "going rate" for an home alterations? He's not asking for advice on where to move.

I was not giving advice on "where to move"

My advice was he might be able to buy another home in the same community that has the features he was looking to achieve for less cost and hassle.

I think this is good advice, don't you?

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