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Message |
    
Ken Zeidner
Citizen
Username: Blackflag
Post Number: 69
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:18 am: | 
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We had a handyman spackle and paint our mudroom (4 ft x 2 ft x 8 ft--3 doors) and were charged $850.00 (plus, he painted the locks shut). Being new to the handyman game, does this seem right? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7826
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:21 am: |
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Are those dimensions right? That sounds more like a pantry. How bad were the walls; was there a lot of repair? How long did it take & how is the paint job (outside of the locks)? How much trim, how many colors? |
Ken Zeidner
Citizen
Username: Blackflag
Post Number: 70
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:27 am: |
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Those dimensions are an estimate. Not that much repair, very little trim. One color, looks good. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7830
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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If it's really 8 sqft with an 8ft ceiling, I'd say that you may have been ripped off. How long did it take him? |
jeb
Citizen
Username: Jeb
Post Number: 111
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:36 am: |
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if plaster walls were removed and new rock installed then that price is high but not way out of line.
if not, well...
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Ken Zeidner
Citizen
Username: Blackflag
Post Number: 71
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:43 am: |
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No walls removed--just sanding and spackle. It couldn't have taken him more than 6 hrs spread out over 3 days. Oh well, live and learn. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1524
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:44 am: |
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That price seems very (almost outrageously) high to me....sorry. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 198
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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uggh |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 930
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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Next time call Albaro 971-219-0342 (Fully insured, interior-only painter). Very good quality work with excellent prep. and fair prices. (But I suggest insisting that he be on site with his guys at all times, b/c imo HE is the talent.) |
Ken Zeidner
Citizen
Username: Blackflag
Post Number: 72
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Thanks for the info. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 1:35 pm: |
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I always use the rule-of-thumb of $500 per man per day. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7833
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 2:16 pm: |
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I just remembered (for comparative purposes) that we had a bedroom painted last fall. One wall had to be replaced and has an irregular angle; the other 3 had some minor patch work to be done. The room is about 14x14, closet door (closet wasn't painted), room door and 3 windows. It ran about $750-$800. |
jeb
Citizen
Username: Jeb
Post Number: 112
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 4:49 pm: |
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anyone that wants to pay me $500 a day let me know. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1690
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 9:23 pm: |
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Don't sweat it - if the job was done properly, then take it as a lesson learned (AND the place looks good - that's very important - you can be happy with the results, right?).
Unless you really know your contractor very well, you should always get at least three estimates. Hindsight, I know, but getting estimates and getting referrals (or opinions from MOL) is key.
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k-rock
Citizen
Username: Fezzik
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 12:26 am: |
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$500 would seem fair judging from the time you say he spent there. I provide the same handyman type service and generally would charge $200 - $250 per day. but on a job where I know I will only be spending a few hours a day I would use a flat rate. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 244
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 8:18 am: |
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k-rock....who is your insurance carrier? I'd like to get a better rate than the one we're paying. Then after the 15% Social security and about another 35% in taxes you end up with what??? Either you are a young guy living at home or have another source of income. Your rate leaves me very curious. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1691
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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In other word, K, you're not charging enough and thereby driving the price down for other contractors!  |
jeb
Citizen
Username: Jeb
Post Number: 114
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 1:49 pm: |
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thread drift:
there seems to be an issue with contractors using illegal immigrants and/or contractors without insurance or licenses. gateway and others spend a small fortune each year to conform with the laws of new jersey whereas others skirt the laws entirely.
i don't quite know where i stand on this situation. my jaw drops at some of the estimates i've heard and i can understand why some take the less expensive but potentially riskier road.
a popular painting company in maplewood uses illegal crews. this person has made a lot of money foregoing the legal ( taxable ) route. should he be prosecuted?
just wondering what others think. perhaps another thread should be started or has this subject been exhausted?
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9617
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
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It's just as possible that the highest priced contrators are also using illegal workers and making higher margins, isn't it? I don't think MOL is a good place to get into legal discussions where no facts are available. |
jeb
Citizen
Username: Jeb
Post Number: 116
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 3:33 pm: |
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dave,
no names were mentioned. as far as facts, i know an illegal immigrant that did work for "that" painting company. additionally, i know of six or seven other illegals who are work in landscaping/construction. i suppose this knowledge constitutes facts, but that depends if you believe first hand knowledge is a basis for fact.
also, illegal immigration is a legal issue and that is open to discussion is it not? however, i will not belabor the issue if MOL is concerned about legalities.
i only queried this because i am in a position to offer handyman services and found myself in a quandry regarding my "margins."
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Bob C
Citizen
Username: Bob_c
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 12:21 am: |
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Ken, i have a bridge forsale...
850 seems a bit much but if it looks good, could you really put a price on that? |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 488
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 7:09 am: |
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Ken, are you happy with the way the work has been done? Right now, the only thing that matters is if you are happy with it. Yes, you may have been overcharged, or again, you may not, but either way that is what you have paid.
Seeing that you now have "experience", next time you have some work that needs doing, perhaps you will get several quotes and decide based on that, and you never know you may still end up with the same contractor.
We have had LOADS done, and believe be we have had our eyes opened to a lot...
Enjoy your improvements, and enjoy your holiday weekend..!! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7841
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 9:54 am: |
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We all get bit in the butt when we first start with these old homes. Just be happy that you learned it on a cheap project.
As for "legal/illegal", these guys are here making an honest living. I have no beef with them. They work harder and contribute more than US-born drug dealers. Yes, they should be paid a living wage. But, it's not right to demonize someone bcause of a piece of paper and a government decree. |
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