Help with additional finish estimates

8 years ago

Our house foundation is poured, but they haven't started framing yet due to weather. We're finalizing a few of the finishes and I feel like our builder is giving us some crazy quotes.

First off, we want to create a shiplap wall on one wall of our playroom/sunroom ( blue arrows below). He's quoting us $2400 for it.

Secondly, we want to finish under the basement stairs (blue circle) and that quote is $3200.

My question is do either of these seem remotely reasonable, and what advice do you have on how I should respond to the builder?

We're in Minnesota for what it's worth.

Featured Answer

PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

8 years ago

Andrew: Yes. I can't see any trade coordination necessary.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Kristin S
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Is this a fully custom house or a tract builder?

Either way, those are both things you can easily have done later, if you believe you can get them done for less.
Andrew Walker
Original Author
8 years ago
Fully custom house.
Related Professionals
Port Saint Lucie Architects & Building Designers · Pittsburg Architects & Building Designers · Bartlesville Design-Build Firms · Brattleboro Design-Build Firms · San Diego Design-Build Firms · Athens Home Builders · Honolulu Home Builders · Fort Myers General Contractors · Raleigh General Contractors · Brooklyn General Contractors · Pierre General Contractors · Spokane General Contractors · Albany Cabinets & Cabinetry · Plainfield Cabinets & Cabinetry · Kennewick Cabinets & Cabinetry
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
8 years ago
I'd leave projects like that until after closing, but before you move in.
Andrew Walker
Original Author
8 years ago
Meaning find another contractor to do it after we take possession since it would probably be a little cheaper than going through the builder?
Tamara Sorensen, PLA
8 years ago
Man those bids just seem unreal to me. I know prices have gone up a ton but that just seems very high for the work involved. Unless your wanting a high level of finish or extra design details that haven't been disclosed for those area. I'd just delay moving in by a week and hire someone else to do that after you close but before you move in. While that would probably take me five full work days to complete (I'm super slow) a construction worker could probably slam that out in half the time I could. No way would I spend a combined $5600 for the time commitment that would take. I'd imagine the ship lap is more time intensive to install but still.
chispa
8 years ago
Don't do the shiplap ... unless you wife's name is Joanna!
mark_rachel
8 years ago
Sounds like he doesn't want to do the projects so he is giving you high quotes. For under the stairs I would have the builder at least frame & drywall it. That shouldn't be that much more. You can always have someone else finish it off for much less. As for the shiplap... I would get someone after the fact. The materials won't cost much at all, but the labor will be more. Not $2400 though.
tiggerlgh
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
What do you mean by finish under the stairs? Are you just asking for drywall? or are you asking for shelves or something else. that would vary greatly on the quote

As for the shiplap I would also want to see what materials he is using. Good wood that costs more than the cheap shiplap they sell at places like HD. without that its hard to say if its reasonable or not.
just_janni
8 years ago
Finishing under the stairs is a giant PITA - lots of cutting, fitting, oddball angles and corners, tight working conditions, etc. Will be hard to do well and the price you are getting reflects that it's hard to get right.