"RicodJour" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 18, 10:11 pm, "MiamiCuse" wrote:
I need to install T1-11 boards as ceiling in a porch area. I have about
800
SF of porch space and I was quoted a price of $6500 to install it (labor
+
material). The labor involves cutting the 4x8 sheets to the porch
dimension, in some areas I have overhead hi-hats so those need to be cut.
For the most part it is pretty straight and uncomplicated. It does NOT
include the cost of painting the boards. The materials will be the
boards
themselves which sells for about $22.00 per sheet in local lumber yards,
staple guns and nails. Now this works out to be $8/SF. This is more
expensive than laying tiles!

I asked the guy and he said hanging stuff upside down (the porch is 7
feet
from the floor reachable by hand without being on a ladder) is very
difficult and that is why its so expensive.

Anyone knows what the on going rate should be?

You've been working on the house for a while now with a few stumbling
blocks along the way. Constantly shopping for contractors is wasting
your time and money. Money that could be put to far better use hiring
a qualified contractor that would be willing to work on more than one
project on your house.

It's pointless to ask the "going" rate. You need real numbers from
real contractors in your area. The number you've gotten so far is in
"unreal" territory. Call some other contractors and get some more
numbers. Talk to some material suppliers, hardware stores, neighbors,
postman, etc. and start putting together a list of recommended
contractors. When you start seeing the same names pop up, you've
found a good place to start.

Contractors' prices usually improve as the contractor becomes familiar
with whoever hired them, whether GC or homeowner. Once they've
learned that you're not an unknown quantity - not a pain in the ass,
nit-picking perfectionist, slow paying, unrealistic expectations -
their risk decreases and they enjoy the job more. Two critical
elements in getting good prices.

Do the legwork now. Find that guy that's willing to tackle an
assortment of jobs as your finances allow. It'll be effort well
spent.

R


Thats easier said than done. I have been trying for months without luck.
Seems general contractors are an extinct species. Talked to all my friends,
neighbors and co-workers and same thing "yep we been looking too, no one is
available". I think Wilma really did south Florida in...every other house
got damaged, in flux of out of state contractors to make quick bucks, a lot
of unlicensed contractors came and collected 50% down from retired elderlys
and never show, skyrocketing insurance, property taxes and housing cost may
have sent the good contractors somewhere else.

The few I found via yellow pages or business cards tagged to big box store
bulletin boards did not impress me - I mean - they seem to know far less
than I do - and I don't know a whole lot LOL.

It seems all I can find are "designers". They will hire architects for me,
architects will hire engineers, and they also will hire contractors for me
who will then coordinate with the subs. However I cannot afford a
"designer". Talked to one the other day and his fee is $400 a day flat over
the life of the project on top of the architect's fee, engineer's fee,
contractor's fee and construction cost.

I have been looking for a good contractor. They are just no where to be
found. So for now I am hiring the tradesman for specific tasks until I find
one. So far I found one good electrician, went through three subpar
finished carpenters, interviewing a few framing and drywall finishers, have
not found a good plumber yet, have yet to find and talk to a mason, I might
have found a good lawn care guy, he did cut my grass without knocking out
all the sprinkler heads LOL.

If all goes well I move in one year from now.

MC