Neighbors asking the cost of renovations -- do you tell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have no issue telling them. I don't care if the neighbors know I spent 100k on a kitchen reno. Hopefully they will too and our property values will go up.

Refreshing. I don't understand the weird coy to paranoid answers on here.

Seriously. There are some seriously paranoid/crazy people on here. If my neighbors ask I tell them. They aren't asking me for gossiping reasons but are likely just genuinely curious what things cost either just to know or they might be interested. I ask friends or neighbors all the time about things "Oh I see you had your windows replaced, would you mind me asking how much they cost?" I'm happy to spill the beans on anything I've done, and we've reno'd our place top to bottom. The strange paranoia on this board is certainly disturbing.

[Anonymous]

I find that people do not tell the truth. Its kind of funny. but the neighbors have been a good source of contractors. usually I am pretty vague because we are very cheap. In a neighborhood where everyone is renovating, it is a constant source of conversation. A complete professional back yard make over is surprisingly expensive.

[Anonymous]

I love finding out how much mortgage my neighbors carry, when they refi, etc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're about to do a very major renovation ($1.2mln budget). My plan is to speak very broadly, and also just explain how things cost more than expected.. like "Damn, did you know in MoCo you have to pay a tree tax if you don't plant X trees on the lot? Then you have to get a sediment control plan and just that costs over $10k in engineer fees..." just to deflect the question. Our renovation could be done for half the price if we used lower-grade materials and didn't do certain details that aren't readily visible (reinforced top floor so we can add an addition on top of that later -- tied to an area with a provision for an elevator shaft).

Same here. We did a major renov/addition in '13. The contract price was $620k but with all things factored in (stonework, appliances, etc., etc.) more like $700k+. No one has asked and I would not give them a number, just say it cost more than I hoped or expected to spend but it seems worth it (compared to moving etc.). The amount of the building permit is a public record though that number was well on the low side. We could have done it for less, to, so I'd just note that the prices can vary depending on specific details you want, and leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have no issue telling them. I don't care if the neighbors know I spent 100k on a kitchen reno. Hopefully they will too and our property values will go up.

Refreshing. I don't understand the weird coy to paranoid answers on here.

Seriously. There are some seriously paranoid/crazy people on here. If my neighbors ask I tell them. They aren't asking me for gossiping reasons but are likely just genuinely curious what things cost either just to know or they might be interested. I ask friends or neighbors all the time about things "Oh I see you had your windows replaced, would you mind me asking how much they cost?" I'm happy to spill the beans on anything I've done, and we've reno'd our place top to bottom. The strange paranoia on this board is certainly disturbing.

Different people have different perceptions of etiquette and privacy.

I don't know why you jump to convert that to "strange paranoia ... disturbing."

I'd be more likely to answer discrete questions like a particular part ... and they can get an idea of the cost when they see the assessment on the county web site year by year (it won't track actual cost of course, but it gives an idea).

[Anonymous]

I would not care one iota if people asked me how much we spent. And I've never felt weird asking people nor did I think it was rude. Weird how some people are so hung up over money. I can see what you paid for your house, too - big whoop!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not care one iota if people asked me how much we spent. And I've never felt weird asking people nor did I think it was rude. Weird how some people are so hung up over money. I can see what you paid for your house, too - big whoop!

I think it's a rich people hangup.

[Anonymous]

all my projects look more expensive than they are. i love to tell my neighbors how little i paid.

[Anonymous]

As with so many issues here on DCUM, we seem to have lots of opinions about privacy and etiquette as someone else noted. I don't like to be asked because I was taught that it's rude to talk about money. I'm not paranoid, just private. I'd probably be more comfortable discussing a specific project with someone who is planning to do the same thing, but if it's just a curious neighbor who doesn't have any plans for a project, then I'd rather not answer.

Different strokes...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they ask what your home improvement cost, then they may be thinking of doing something similar and are looking for a benchmark price. Personally, I would never ask a neighbor what something cost. However, I have had neighbors comment on how much they spent on a project if I complimented them on the work. The majority of people who wonder what your home upgrade cost just want to know know what they would have to spend to make their property look as nice as yours,

yep. I don't see this as akward. I also have no problem telling you how much money I make. It's just money. not a big deal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not care one iota if people asked me how much we spent. And I've never felt weird asking people nor did I think it was rude. Weird how some people are so hung up over money. I can see what you paid for your house, too - big whoop!

I think it's a rich people hangup.

It's something about feeling identified, I think. I don't knwo exactly because I don't feel like how much money I make or spend says anything important about me as a person. I don't feel pegged.

[Anonymous]

I'd only tell if they were owners. I have a lot of renters as neighbors, and I'd assume they were just asking to gossip/be rude. I know they're not going to spend $30k adding a bathroom and redoing the basement in a house they rent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they ask what your home improvement cost, then they may be thinking of doing something similar and are looking for a benchmark price. Personally, I would never ask a neighbor what something cost. However, I have had neighbors comment on how much they spent on a project if I complimented them on the work. The majority of people who wonder what your home upgrade cost just want to know know what they would have to spend to make their property look as nice as yours

This. I don't see any issue at all with either asking, or telling.