Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a GM if paying over 200K you are being taken to the cleaners, but that is how I make my money and maintain my lifestyle. I can do the work for approximately 20% of what I charge out.

As for high end materials - if you knew how much I actually paid for them and the mark up involved you would be horrified. But if you are willing to pay 600K and I can make 300-400K off of you, I am going to do so. Everyone is happy.

So where were you when we did our renovation? Our contractor actually went bankrupt because the job cost him more than he bid it for. I'm sure there was mismanagement in there but there is no way we could have done the work for $200k. Just a few of the higher end costs - new slate roof for the whole house, 28 new windows (Pella with wood mullions on both sides which added to the expense), $60k for kitchen cabinets, $25k for custom cherry paneling and built ins in one room, $20k for built ins in another room (these last 3 we paid for directly so no markup from the contractor on those), $30k for kitchen appliances (Sub zero, Wolf, etc., we also bought directly), expensive tile and marble for 3 bathrooms, plus tile, marble and granite for the kitchen, etc. Just those added up to more than $200k and most of that we bought directly.

I am glad you are able to do so many great renovations for $200k - you should come advertise in my neighborhood as everyone is willing to pay more for great quality work.

$60k for kitchen cabinets is beyond ridiculous, as is $30k for kitchen applliances (crazy money, what did you do spend $10k on a refridgerator?), but 28 new windows, yeah, that's expensive. It's also way beyond the scope of what the OP asked. if s/he had said they were doing an addition of the size that it woudl require 28 new windows many of us would have responded differently. I bought new windows from Pella about four years ago - large windows - about 5 feet in height, and wooden frames, aluminum exterior, they cost about $1k each. But in fancier parts of NW, I'm sure the price would have been $5k each bwahahahahahah

Sort of have to agree that you were taken to the cleaners and it sounds like your contractor was a thief. I have built three houses and most of the work is the shopping around. The same job can be quoted anywhere from 200K to 600K depending on the contractor for the EXACT same thing. The last remodel was two bathrooms, new kitchen with appliances, and moving of wallls. The quotes ranged from 25,000 to 100,000 for the exact same work. It takes a lot of shopping around and most people will just take three bids if they don't really know too much about remodeling and/or building.

You were taken to the cleaners, but if it is money you have and you like what you did then I don't see the problem. Obviously that amount of money doesn't bother you - and why shop around if you can afford the asking price.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a GM if paying over 200K you are being taken to the cleaners, but that is how I make my money and maintain my lifestyle. I can do the work for approximately 20% of what I charge out.

As for high end materials - if you knew how much I actually paid for them and the mark up involved you would be horrified. But if you are willing to pay 600K and I can make 300-400K off of you, I am going to do so. Everyone is happy.

So where were you when we did our renovation? Our contractor actually went bankrupt because the job cost him more than he bid it for. I'm sure there was mismanagement in there but there is no way we could have done the work for $200k. Just a few of the higher end costs - new slate roof for the whole house, 28 new windows (Pella with wood mullions on both sides which added to the expense), $60k for kitchen cabinets, $25k for custom cherry paneling and built ins in one room, $20k for built ins in another room (these last 3 we paid for directly so no markup from the contractor on those), $30k for kitchen appliances (Sub zero, Wolf, etc., we also bought directly), expensive tile and marble for 3 bathrooms, plus tile, marble and granite for the kitchen, etc. Just those added up to more than $200k and most of that we bought directly.

I am glad you are able to do so many great renovations for $200k - you should come advertise in my neighborhood as everyone is willing to pay more for great quality work.

$60k for kitchen cabinets is beyond ridiculous, as is $30k for kitchen applliances (crazy money, what did you do spend $10k on a refridgerator?), but 28 new windows, yeah, that's expensive. It's also way beyond the scope of what the OP asked. if s/he had said they were doing an addition of the size that it woudl require 28 new windows many of us would have responded differently. I bought new windows from Pella about four years ago - large windows - about 5 feet in height, and wooden frames, aluminum exterior, they cost about $1k each. But in fancier parts of NW, I'm sure the price would have been $5k each bwahahahahahah

I am not sure why you cannot buy your own materials, at least some of them. Are you buying them through your contractor and do they take a cut of some sort? We had worked with a contractor before and had to buy all our own materials/fixtures/tile, etc. He only charged for labor. We did a small bathroom with the floor to ceiling marble, jacuzzi tub and Grohe fixtures, the materials total cost was about 6K. There is marble tile you can buy for as little as $3-5/sq.ft, decent quality tubs and toilets for under 1K. and decent fixtures can be had online for 30-40%off as long as you know what to buy. You can always call the website customer service or email them and they will answer what rough-in goes with which trim, what valves to buy to complete your system, etc.

I know, these are poor people problems for those of you making 500/hr. If I made that much I guess I would rather just bill extra hours to my clients and hire an expensive architect and would not care if they'd charge me an arm and a leg. But really, please don't go suggesting that high end materials and the whole high end look cannot be achieved for less than what you pay, because you can afford to hire people to take care of every little detail while you sit with hands folded. The service is what you pay for, not just the materials and labor.

Anonymous wrote:As a GM if paying over 200K you are being taken to the cleaners, but that is how I make my money and maintain my lifestyle. I can do the work for approximately 20% of what I charge out.

As for high end materials - if you knew how much I actually paid for them and the mark up involved you would be horrified. But if you are willing to pay 600K and I can make 300-400K off of you, I am going to do so. Everyone is happy.

So where were you when we did our renovation? Our contractor actually went bankrupt because the job cost him more than he bid it for. I'm sure there was mismanagement in there but there is no way we could have done the work for $200k. Just a few of the higher end costs - new slate roof for the whole house, 28 new windows (Pella with wood mullions on both sides which added to the expense), $60k for kitchen cabinets, $25k for custom cherry paneling and built ins in one room, $20k for built ins in another room (these last 3 we paid for directly so no markup from the contractor on those), $30k for kitchen appliances (Sub zero, Wolf, etc., we also bought directly), expensive tile and marble for 3 bathrooms, plus tile, marble and granite for the kitchen, etc. Just those added up to more than $200k and most of that we bought directly.

I am glad you are able to do so many great renovations for $200k - you should come advertise in my neighborhood as everyone is willing to pay more for great quality work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why would you ever put more than 200k into a second story addition when you can build new for 3-400k at upper mid to luxary ? If you spend too much renovating your home you will never recoup old vs new

Wrong. We are building a new high end home right now and the contract in the same area OP is asking about is $1.2 million. That's just the house, not the lot.

Could I build something for $400K? Sure, but notwith the same finishes and same size, so I wouldn't want to live in that house.

To OP - 3 story addition in DC (1400 sq ft) in CCDC 6 years ago - about $650K. Did not do kitchen but added bath and a half (master suite and powder room) and family room with masonry fireplace. High end finishes. Used brick for exterior, which drove price up as well. HTH.

you got worked

Anonymous wrote:why would you ever put more than 200k into a second story addition when you can build new for 3-400k at upper mid to luxary ? If you spend too much renovating your home you will never recoup old vs new

Wrong. We are building a new high end home right now and the contract in the same area OP is asking about is $1.2 million. That's just the house, not the lot.

Could I build something for $400K? Sure, but notwith the same finishes and same size, so I wouldn't want to live in that house.

To OP - 3 story addition in DC (1400 sq ft) in CCDC 6 years ago - about $650K. Did not do kitchen but added bath and a half (master suite and powder room) and family room with masonry fireplace. High end finishes. Used brick for exterior, which drove price up as well. HTH.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm and attorney and my billable rate is above $500 an hour. Can you get an attorney for $250 and hour, sure. But you get what you pay for.

And people say Feds are overpaid. The sad thing is that attorneys really think they are worth that much. Sure it's the going rate, but that doesn't mean you aren't grossly overpaid.

I thought that attorneys were smart not to over pay housing I guess when they make so much money they lose touch of what is a bit over priced.

Maybe to normal people overpaying by 200k is a big deal but to attorney's it's not

Anonymous wrote:Where are these people living who think $200 sq ft is $$$?? That is bargain basement and you will get what you pay for. Period. These are the costs in NW DC, anyway. I'm sure it's cheaper in NE DC and the burbs; there is an element of supply/demand and in NW DC these ARE the prices! It was actually cheaper for us to move within our zip code to a larger fixer upper with cosmetic work than to add on to our home.

I am not sure why the same work *should* cost less in NE DC than NW DC. There's no significant travel time, contractors for both jobs will shop at the same box stores and people who do actual work will live in the same apartment in Langley Park. Supply of contractors, architects and materials for both markets comes from the same place. The only difference between two identical jobs would be the owner's perceived ability to pay, or willingness to be gouged.

Anonymous wrote:
I'm and attorney and my billable rate is above $500 an hour. Can you get an attorney for $250 and hour, sure. But you get what you pay for.

And people say Feds are overpaid. The sad thing is that attorneys really think they are worth that much. Sure it's the going rate, but that doesn't mean you aren't grossly overpaid.

Anonymous wrote:Where are these people living who think $200 sq ft is $$$?? That is bargain basement and you will get what you pay for. Period. These are the costs in NW DC, anyway. I'm sure it's cheaper in NE DC and the burbs; there is an element of supply/demand and in NW DC these ARE the prices! It was actually cheaper for us to move within our zip code to a larger fixer upper with cosmetic work than to add on to our home.

Why would you think that it costs more for someone to do work in NW DC than NE? Do building costs suddenly increase if you cross North Capitol? Or does it cost so much more to transport the work crew from one part of the city to the other?

The only reason that it might cost more in Upper NW is that the contractor will smell your money and charge you an arm and a leg -- not because that's what it really costs, and not because you're getting better quality work or materials.

Anonymous wrote:Out estimate for CC Md, two story addition is $350- 375k.

To the person who thinks people are crazy paying that money, the difference is quality. Can you build a crappy house for $350k, sure. Would I want to live in that house, no.

If you want to high highly skilled craftsmen, they charge (and deserve) more money that the average "design/build" contractor. The architect also costs money, but is worth every penny.

I'm and attorney and my billable rate is above $500 an hour. Can you get an attorney for $250 and hour, sure. But you get what you pay for.

hahahahahahah. You can build a very nice, high end house for less than $350k with quality finishes. Look at the construction costs for McMansions, for example. $200k will build a good quality, decent size house in this area -- the land is what ups the cost to buy. Ask any architect what the average build cost for an addition is and they'll tell you $150-250 per square foot. And yet, some idiots on DCUM come here and try and justify the fact that they got utterly ripped off paying prices in excess of $1k per sq foot.

it's laughable how clueless you are. But then again I've seen many overpaid attorneys like yourself become foolish with money.

Where are these people living who think $200 sq ft is $$$?? That is bargain basement and you will get what you pay for. Period. These are the costs in NW DC, anyway. I'm sure it's cheaper in NE DC and the burbs; there is an element of supply/demand and in NW DC these ARE the prices! It was actually cheaper for us to move within our zip code to a larger fixer upper with cosmetic work than to add on to our home.

why would you ever put more than 200k into a second story addition when you can build new for 3-400k at upper mid to luxary ? If you spend too much renovating your home you will never recoup old vs new

Anonymous wrote:Out estimate for CC Md, two story addition is $350- 375k.

To the person who thinks people are crazy paying that money, the difference is quality. Can you build a crappy house for $350k, sure. Would I want to live in that house, no.

If you want to high highly skilled craftsmen, they charge (and deserve) more money that the average "design/build" contractor. The architect also costs money, but is worth every penny.

I'm and attorney and my billable rate is above $500 an hour. Can you get an attorney for $250 and hour, sure. But you get what you pay for.

this post is so funny. has to be a parody post.

We did it with a good builder and separate architect, including two bathrooms but we didn't redo our kitchen -- $230K including architect's fees.