Comments on: Sticker Shock (Otherwise Known As — The Latest Bill From My Contractor) http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/ At last I had mastered the low art of coming unmoored. -- Joe Androe Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:22:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mark http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-1734 Mark Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:45:43 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-1734 Contractors like most business are out to make money. There is nothing wrong with that. Consumers often leave themselves open to "add-on cost" as the project is progressing. Such as adding faucets, cabinet doors, new light fixtures ect... They often bond with the contractor explaining yes I would like this or that and then are in a state of shock when receiving the final bill. I have known a few to fall into an "pay by the hour trap" and witness slow motion in real time. As complex as this actually is one must try to keep it as simple as possible- Get references on people you would like to do the work. Then let the contractor do the agreed upon work for the agreed upon price. Make a list of all add-ons and if possible save these for another day. I know this is all easier said than done. Contractors like most business are out to make money. There is nothing wrong with that. Consumers often leave themselves open to “add-on cost” as the project is progressing. Such as adding faucets, cabinet doors, new light fixtures ect… They often bond with the contractor explaining yes I would like this or that and then are in a state of shock when receiving the final bill. I have known a few to fall into an “pay by the hour trap” and witness slow motion in real time. As complex as this actually is one must try to keep it as simple as possible- Get references on people you would like to do the work. Then let the contractor do the agreed upon work for the agreed upon price. Make a list of all add-ons and if possible save these for another day. I know this is all easier said than done.

]]> By: Steph http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-498 Steph Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:10:15 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-498 @Erik, thank you for the input and my apologies if I painted all contractors as "evil". Certainly, part of the responsibility for my experience rests with me, both in terms of my selection process and also in terms of the extent which I did (or didn't) hold him accountable for his performance. If you have any tips on how to find a GOOD contractor, I'd love to hear them as there's still several projects on my house to go. Thanks for visiting. Steph @Erik, thank you for the input and my apologies if I painted all contractors as “evil”. Certainly, part of the responsibility for my experience rests with me, both in terms of my selection process and also in terms of the extent which I did (or didn’t) hold him accountable for his performance.

If you have any tips on how to find a GOOD contractor, I’d love to hear them as there’s still several projects on my house to go. Thanks for visiting.

Steph

]]> By: Erik http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-496 Erik Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:53:39 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-496 Contractor Response As a contractor, I am often amused by homeowners who, after a bad experience, are now experts on contracting and have a number of superlatives regarding contracting in general. These poeple are usually the first to balk at a professional contractor's price as it is "too high", chosing instead to go with "my yoga instructors boyfriend" who is a "carpenter". You get what you pay for in quality and headaches. Here is the real scoop on contracting done right. First, working on a time and materials basis generally ends up costing more than anticipated. Why, because it gives you the ability to skip the planning / estimating step that is crutcial to success. If you can't get a fixed price for a fixed scope of work, you will suffer the consequences. Next billing should be on a fixed time table (day, month, etc.) or in conjuction with completion of work (ie: $5000 at completion of framing). If a contractor tells you they need more money, you should be getting more service. Unforseen conditions are to be expected in renovations (rot, etc.), but a contractor asking for more money just because, is a sign of a hack, amateur. There are in fact real contractors out there, who actually know business and building and do both well. Its unfortunate when people have bad experiences, but to lump all contractors into one"boat" (sorry for the bad bun), isn't fair to the rest of us who have spent years mastering the skills necessary to not only build buildings, but build professional relationships, not unlike an accountant or lawyer. Erik in VT Contractor Response

As a contractor, I am often amused by homeowners who, after a bad experience, are now experts on contracting and have a number of superlatives regarding contracting in general. These poeple are usually the first to balk at a professional contractor’s price as it is “too high”, chosing instead to go with “my yoga instructors boyfriend” who is a “carpenter”. You get what you pay for in quality and headaches.

Here is the real scoop on contracting done right. First, working on a time and materials basis generally ends up costing more than anticipated. Why, because it gives you the ability to skip the planning / estimating step that is crutcial to success. If you can’t get a fixed price for a fixed scope of work, you will suffer the consequences. Next billing should be on a fixed time table (day, month, etc.) or in conjuction with completion of work (ie: $5000 at completion of framing). If a contractor tells you they need more money, you should be getting more service. Unforseen conditions are to be expected in renovations (rot, etc.), but a contractor asking for more money just because, is a sign of a hack, amateur.

There are in fact real contractors out there, who actually know business and building and do both well. Its unfortunate when people have bad experiences, but to lump all contractors into one”boat” (sorry for the bad bun), isn’t fair to the rest of us who have spent years mastering the skills necessary to not only build buildings, but build professional relationships, not unlike an accountant or lawyer.

Erik in VT

]]> By: Dan http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-319 Dan Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:01:18 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-319 @Steph, you have a great view can't put a price on that. @Steph,
you have a great view
can’t put a price on that.

]]> By: Steph http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Steph Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:45:29 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-282 @Dan, believe me, there have definitely been times over the last year when I wished I'd made an offer on yours instead. :) @Dan, believe me, there have definitely been times over the last year when I wished I’d made an offer on yours instead. :)

]]> By: Dan http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-252 Dan Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:11:14 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-252 @Steph, Yah, I did the same with your place @Steph,
Yah, I did the same with your place

]]> By: Steph http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Steph Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:10:58 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-236 @Dan, just noticed the slip # in your previous comment. Is your place cedar shingled? If so, I think I may have taken a look at it the same time I viewed mine. @Dan, just noticed the slip # in your previous comment. Is your place cedar shingled? If so, I think I may have taken a look at it the same time I viewed mine.

]]> By: Steph http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Steph Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:05:44 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-235 @Dan, oh, very neat! Please come by and say "hi" when you're there this spring/summer. You can send me pics at stephanie.reiley@gmail.com. Odds are good I'll know where you are when I see them. I've spent a decent amount of time running up and down the ramps taking pictures. :) @Dan, oh, very neat! Please come by and say “hi” when you’re there this spring/summer. You can send me pics at stephanie.reiley@gmail.com. Odds are good I’ll know where you are when I see them. I’ve spent a decent amount of time running up and down the ramps taking pictures. :)

]]> By: Dan http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Dan Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:46:50 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-233 @Steph, Hi Steph. We are neighbors!!! same marina I can see the back of your house from my front door give me your email and I'll send pictures Dan @Steph,

Hi Steph.
We are neighbors!!! same marina
I can see the back of your house from my front door
give me your email and I’ll send pictures

Dan

]]> By: Steph http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/comment-page-1/#comment-220 Steph Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:30:22 +0000 http://www.comingunmoored.com/2009/01/sticker-shock-otherwise-known-as-the-latest-bill-from-my-contractor/#comment-220 @Dan, I would love to see pictures of your place! Is yours also in Portland? @Dan, I would love to see pictures of your place! Is yours also in Portland?

]]>