| Author |
Message |
    
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 9:36 am: |     |
The plaster ceilings in two of the upstairs rooms in our house are buckling and rippling. Both rooms are small--one is 9 by 11 and the other is 10 by 15. One contractor quoted me $1,150 for each--$2300 for both. This sounds like a lot to me...is there anyone else out there who's had similar work done who could tell me if this is a fair estimate? Also if you have an idea of someone who might be good to do this work I'd love to hear it!
Thanks in advance. |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 290
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:04 am: | |
this is a lot. I had a friend who had this done in two rooms, plus some other demo/construction - enlarging a closet, adding built-in bookshelves, etc. whole thing was $2000. call RGH. 973-762-4141. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:57 am: | |
Well I actually got the quote from RGH! Was this a long time ago that your friend had this done? |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 292
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 11:02 am: | |
oops. she actually had it done around a month ago!! sorry!
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ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 12:00 pm: | |
Man, that's really annoying. I had the estimate done for negotiation purposes (we're in the process of buying the house)--do you think this could have been why it's so high? I hope so!! |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 294
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 1:28 pm: | |
My friend actually suffered an error in the way the closet was built out - had to be partially ripped out and re-done, and she commented that as much time as they had spent there, they surely lost money. maybe this very experience led to upward-revised estimates.
one potential discount: offer to pay cash. if you do pay cash, make sure as a general rule you get a receipt.
also: these estimates are sometimes negotiable. call Bob and tell him you got another estimate for $1800 but liked him better, what can he do for you. something along those lines. if you have other work around the house to "entice" with if the project is to your liking this may also help. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 1:51 pm: | |
Thank you for the advice 1-2 many! You and others on this board have been so helpful for me in this somewhat overwhelming process of getting our fixer upper fixed up! I'm sure I will have many more ?s as the process continues! |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3118
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 9:25 pm: | |
Good plaster guy, call Frank Egger 908 256-4624.
He is getting real busy. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 114
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:09 pm: | |
We used Frank after reading jgberkeley's reco's on this board. His rate was reasonable and he worked so hard, he put all of the other contractors we've used to shame. (Thanks George!) |
DBrown
Citizen
Username: Dbrown
Post Number: 199
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:18 pm: | |
Avoid RGH! In our experience his workers are sloppy and don't finish jobs. We are currently getting quotes for correcting problems they caused. Very upsetting. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 9
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 9:14 am: | |
Thanks for the heads up--I was pretty unsatisfied with the estimate they gave me (and I paid $75 for!!) for a host of reasons that I won't bore you all with here. |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 1398
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 10:17 am: | |
With RGH it probably depends on the crew you get. Be very specific. But in one bedroom (10 x 12) with plaster about to fall down, they took down the plaster, put up sheetrock, new crown molding, and painted the entire room for $1200. I wasn't happy with some of the painting, but they came back to fix it. |
kathy
Citizen
Username: Kathy
Post Number: 589
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 7:19 pm: | |
Warning: thread drift.
1-2 many says above, "one potential discount: offer to pay cash." It has been my experience that the way contractors give you a "discount" for cash is by not charging you the sales tax that should be collected. I actually had a well-known contractor in town tell me that if I made my check out to the foreman on the job, rather than the company, they would not charge the sales tax. I respectfully declined the offer.
The question is, Am I the only person who is concerned about this evasion of taxes? |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 302
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 9:08 pm: | |
kathy - you might be the only one worried about evasion of taxes. 
assuming you aren't: if you are doing a capital improvement, be aware that there is no tax due on labor, only materials.
labor for repair and maintenance, though, does give rise to sales tax liability, with the exception of repairs to residential heating systems (subject to minor limitations).
I am sure the line between improvement vs. repair is often blurry.
see http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/text/su_6txt.htm
if anyone believes these tax limitations should not apply, I am sure the state also excepts donations in the amount of tax on your home improvement labor, heating repair labor, and any other amount you may wish to contribute. 
|
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 1914
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 1:51 pm: | |
ASH:
Have you determined why the plaster in those two rooms is buckling and ripping? Is it possible that you have leak somewhere? It is at least as important to diagnose the problem and get that fixed as it is to replace the fallen plaster. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 10
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 7:47 pm: | |
I'm fairly sure that the ceilings are just old, since they're below a completely dry attic, and it looks like just normal aging. |
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