So confused! Home work estimates.

[candycat]

So, I put out an ad on CL (I know, I know) asking for local carpenters etc to give me a range of what they charge to put in some basic built-in bookshelves. The project itself isn't totally crazy - just two cabinets to about waist high, and then bookshelves above that to the ceiling, on either side of our fire place (the spaces being about eight feet wide each). We don't want any frills or fanciness. I expected that some carpenters would be more or less fancy depending on who they cater to, but I wasn't expecting this kind of range. On the low end I had $400 and on the high end it was almost $6000. For the same project with the same materials.

How can you decide what "the going price" is for your area if they are SO widely ranged? And they're all relatively similar in demographic - xyz numbers of experience, licensed, etc.

[velochic]

Have you ever heard of Service Magic? They are all over the US. They have a database of contractors who will come and give you free estimates... and they are pre-screened. The way it works is that the contractors pay a fee to Service Magic every time someone hires them for a job. It's kind of like a head hunting agency for them.

This spring, we had a leak from upstairs that ruined a kitchen cabinet (floor to ceiling), except for the facing of the cabinet. We got the guy through Service Magic and they did a stellar job of replacing the innards and the side.

Without actually seeing what they will do, including measuring and pricing materials, I can see why there is such a range. The $400 could be for raw pressed wood and the $6000 for finished oak with facing and adjustable shelves or anything in between. Definitely get an estimate that breaks out materials and labor.

[Turquesa]

This site will either help you or further confuse you: http://www.costhelper.com/

Naturally, I hope it HELPS you!

[ChristyMarie]

Usually somewhere in the middle is the right answer.

I cannot imagine that work being done for $400. The materials are going to be that, or more.

I'm guessing it is a 2 day job? Do you want them to stain or paint as well? Just building I'm gussing labor should be $500-$800 plus material costs.

Did anyone have photos of their work? Did you get an instant comfort with one or two of them?

Do you have access to Angie's List? Awesome awesome awesome list for finding people but you have to subscribe for access.

[VisionaryMom]

I often hire people for work through CL, and I always get 1 or 2 outliers on either end. I usually knock them out of the running immediately and concentrate on people in the middle.

[limette]

Can you do the work yourselves? Bookcases are easy to make. Dh built two entire walls of them for less than $200.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by VisionaryMom

I often hire people for work through CL, and I always get 1 or 2 outliers on either end. I usually knock them out of the running immediately and concentrate on people in the middle.

I agree with this, either extreme is probably not what you want. Just make sure that once you choose someone you get a detailed list in writing that says what their job will include and the estimated price, before they start the work.

[belovedofbast]

I just asked my DH, who used to do (and still sometimes does) carpentry work what he would charge. He figures it would be about $750 per side, cash (as in bills, not cheques) If you wanted to pay cheque, it would be about double that ($1500 per side).

He suggests going to the hardware store and pricing out the materials, including a little bit extra, just in case you are wrong. Then multiply that by 3 to 5. He says that's generally the rule for any job. If a job happens to need scaffolding or serious ladder work, multiply the multiplied rate by 2.

So:

(Cost of Materials) x 3 (or 4, or 5) = Basic work x 2 = work that needs scaffolding or "specialty" stuff.

Clear as mud?