How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

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tenkuky
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How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by tenkuky »

I need a few lengths of gutters installed on our newly re-shingled roof.
I called 5 companies in the area to get estimates.
One responded and came out with an estimate, one said they didn't have time even to look, three ghosted me.
How am I to know whether I'm getting ripped off by the one estimate?
Is there a calculator/way to know? Online calculators don't tell me labor or materials, just try to shove me towards HomeAdvisor and share my info with third parties.
I sort of know linear total (25 ft, but 3 separate pieces of 4-8 each), material (aluminum), gauge (0.032).
Roof peak where these need installed mildly tricky to get to. No downspouts needed.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Edit to add: the estimate was $575 all in for the above work, approx 2-2.5 hours he said.
Last edited by tenkuky on Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RickBoglehead
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by RickBoglehead »

Call 3 more.
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BogleHead1008
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by BogleHead1008 »

If your HOA is part of NextDoor, look for recommendations from others in your area, call another 5 or 10 to get at least 3 quotes. Then decide which is cheaper AND come recommended.
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gwe67
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by gwe67 »

A contractor who is in high demand doesn't want to waste their time bidding on a tiny project with only a one in three chance of doing the work. Pick a good one and go for it.
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Topic Author
tenkuky
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by tenkuky »

I reached out to 3 more since I posted this..
1 "mailbox full, not accepting calls", 1 "booked for 2021, only call if you are looking at 2022 or beyond".
3rd one a human picked up!! They will come out sometime next 1-2 days for estimate.

Final result: 8 attempts, will have 2 estimates. I know the 6 I will never waste my time or $ on again.
I get the good people are busy, but at some point, word gets around. In a competitive world, not sure how they justify non-responsiveness
My job is small potatoes, true, but it's still $.
Lalamimi
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by Lalamimi »

we had new gutters put on entire house - got 4 bids - 2 at $2800, $3200 and $1900. 6" and added 2 new downspouts. Removed old gutters. The $1900 guy was great and we have recommended him to many. For the small job you need, just go with whomever came out. Or get the whole house done. (we have a 3200 sq ft house). All gave 1 yr on installation and the gutters have a warranty. How much of your time, dollar wise, has been wasted?
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Bogle7
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by Bogle7 »

$575.
Spend it and move on with life.
How much are you going to save by shopping during Covid times? $100?
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illumination
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by illumination »

This is a really good time to put off home improvement projects and car purchases.

Obviously if you need these things, you can't do that, but everything I've been hearing is contractors are very much in the driver's seat. Guy I've been working with a while just told me his rates went up almost 50%.

Will things settle down? I think so, but who knows. I had a long list of things before Covid I really wish I had gotten around to.
vested1
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by vested1 »

Persistence is the only thing that works. My first suggestion would be to ask local friends for recommendations, then when you call the contractor, mention so-and-so referred me to you. This opens the door to the contractor who appreciates a good referral and a satisfied customer. They know that their satisfied customer and you are in communication, and know that you will continue to be. Refusing to engage with a referral can damage the relationship with the previous customer, which the contractor will want to avoid.

I would also avoid the middleman agencies like Home Advisor or Angie's list for instance. Contractors hate them because they take a cut, and that added cost will be passed on to you. Some contractors put up with listing on those sites to get more business, but don't appreciate the cut that is taken or the scrutiny.

I was desperate to get someone out immediately when our waste pump went out recently. Without that pump no water of any kind could go down the drain, including toilets, sinks, and showers. I had no luck getting hold of my usual resources so filled out a form at Home Advisor, asking for an estimate, which is all that is possible. My regular plumber called back soon after that and dropped everything to come out. He fixed the problem quickly at his usual premium price. I tipped him for coming out so quickly, as usual, which I do for all workers who do a good job and who are responsive

Home Advisor wouldn't leave me alone, even after I had received several calls from local contractors who told me they could come out in a couple of weeks or more. I told them all that the problem was fixed and thanked them, but I kept on getting calls and texts from Home Advisor, even though I told them to cancel the request. I still get texts 2 weeks later. I am also inundated with emails from them, which I designated as spam.
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lthenderson
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by lthenderson »

Bogle7 wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:42 pm $575.
Spend it and move on with life.
How much are you going to save by shopping during Covid times? $100?
+1

I live in a rural area where there are never 5 of any kind of service to get a quote from and you are blessed to even get a single response. (I spent three years getting a single quote for a kitchen addition and remodel project.) At the end of the day, you just have to trust your gut. For me, $575 for 2.5 hours of labor and materials sounds much better than spending days agonizing over getting multiple quotes.
Broken Man 1999
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by Broken Man 1999 »

Call your roofer, perhaps they know of someone. I've found a souce sometimes can be found by asking a trades person you trust, as trades people come across other trades people sometimes where they are working on the same project.

Thing is, the good trades people are slammed, so finding one that will come out eagerly on such a very small job might be an indication of quality of work performed. Or it could be an indication the person is just new.

I can only imagine how many fly-by-nighters have jumped in "trades" roles and such, given the desperation some folks have for their projects to be done.

It might be a better idea to wait some, as gutters usually don't have to be installed immediately. Waiting might yield a better outcome.

Broken Man 1999
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barnaclebob
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by barnaclebob »

For any project under $10,000 the "always get 3 estimates" advice is outdated unless you are a masochist.

My process is to get an idea of what it should cost and what to ask about for the job. The first one who gives an estimate and answers my questions satisfactorily gets the job.
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Supergrover
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by Supergrover »

barnaclebob wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:55 am For any project under $10,000 the "always get 3 estimates" advice is outdated unless you are a masochist.

My process is to get an idea of what it should cost and what to ask about for the job. The first one who gives an estimate and answers my questions satisfactorily gets the job.
My threshold might be a *little* lower than 10K, but I do agree with this.
OP it’s gonna cost you more in time ...$575 doesn’t sound too bad.
boglegirl
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by boglegirl »

Supergrover wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:05 am
barnaclebob wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:55 am For any project under $10,000 the "always get 3 estimates" advice is outdated unless you are a masochist.

My process is to get an idea of what it should cost and what to ask about for the job. The first one who gives an estimate and answers my questions satisfactorily gets the job.
My threshold might be a *little* lower than 10K, but I do agree with this.
OP it’s gonna cost you more in time ...$575 doesn’t sound too bad.
My threshold is definitely lower than $10k but higher than $575. I also think the OP should move on with the $575 quote.
brianH
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by brianH »

vested1 wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:23 am I would also avoid the middleman agencies like Home Advisor or Angie's list for instance. Contractors hate them because they take a cut, and that added cost will be passed on to you. Some contractors put up with listing on those sites to get more business, but don't appreciate the cut that is taken or the scrutiny.
Any contractor that has to pay the cut for these services to drum up work, in today's market, is not someone you want working on your house.
Swansea
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by Swansea »

The flood of money and pent up demand has made contractors very busy.
I contacted 6 stone masons before I got one to look at the job.
Topic Author
tenkuky
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by tenkuky »

OP here with update.
I finally had a second person contact me back, came over exactly when promised, provided a written estimate and answered questions.
$100 less than 1st guy.
Sealed the deal and will have work done (hopefully) in 3-4 weeks.
Thank goodness I was not uber crunched for time.
AlohaJoe
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Re: How to figure out cost of a project without multiple estimates?

Post by AlohaJoe »

tenkuky wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:38 pm In a competitive world, not sure how they justify non-responsiveness
Most small businesses are terrible at business. That's why they are a small business and not a large business. This is especially the case where the owner wears most of the hats. It is no surprise that a single individual probably isn't great at the technical work AND sales, marketing, customer service, sourcing, etc. There's a reason why specialisation dominates in the modern world.
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