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Estimate I Received For Wall Removal

Posted on 5/10/19 at 6:49 am
Posted by SirSaintly
Uptown, New Orleans
Member since Feb 2013
3131 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 6:49 am
So I'd like to take down the load bearing wall between my kitchen and living room. It's 92" long, so not a very long span. Contacted a general contractor and this is the estimate I was given:

Property prep - $350 (6mm plastic & construction paper cover all floor & furniture for dust control)

Demolition - $350 -

Framing (Temporary support wall, cut all ceiling joists resting on support wall, install Double lvl header in attic/connect ceiling joists & rafters post install with hangers) - $2500

SHEETROCK - patch up Sheetrock, texture to match & paint - $800

Floor repair - labor only (customer to provide matching floor)(lace in floor) - $450

Waste/Trash/Debris haul away - $400

Electrical(cancel outlet in attic) - $100

Total: $4,950.00

I was under the impression that I didn't need a LVL beam for such a short span and that ply sandwiched between 2x12's would work.

$350 also seems a little steep for plastic and paper
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45786 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 6:52 am to
I don’t think that is a bad price, some of the cost is mobilization, doesn’t matter if the wall is 4’ or 16’ some of that work needs to be done regardless
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 6:56 am to
Seems like a decent quote. Nothing to be upset about for sure. Did you talk to the contractor about the LVL?
Posted by mtcheral
BR
Member since Oct 2008
1934 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 7:24 am to
Looks reasonable to me. You’re paying the 350 mainly for time and labor, not paper and plastic.
Posted by BottomlandBrew
Member since Aug 2010
27050 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 7:36 am to
Seems a touch high, but if he's a legit guy and can finish it worth a damn, then it's worth it. I was quoted $3600 for a similar length wall. I initially went for it, but the guy kept yanking my chain on a date, so I said screw it and cancelled with him.

As for the LVL, just do it. They're not much. I think I paid $80 for the two I had to sandwich together.

I ended up DIYing mine. The wall itself was easy. I have a newfound respect for drywallers. That was tough work to make it look good. Took me way more mudding and sanding than I care to admit. I'm still cleaning up dust and the project was done during the winter.

ETA: Your first estimate was $10k. You're down to half that. I say do it.
This post was edited on 5/10/19 at 8:07 am
Posted by ducksnbass
Member since Apr 2014
754 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 7:40 am to
quote:

I was under the impression that I didn't need a LVL beam for such a short span and that ply sandwiched between 2x12's would work.


That's correct but I would venture that most of that $2,500 is labor. You won't be saving a ton by going 2x12's vs an LVL.
Posted by TDsngumbo
Alpha Silverfox
Member since Oct 2011
41479 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:02 am to
$350 for property prep seems quite high to me. I'd see if you could get them to quote you just the actual removing the wall and adding a support beam with you doing the rest of the work yourself. Sheetrock work is not hard at all if you spend a couple hours watching youtube videos explaining it.
Posted by SCwTiger
armpit of 'merica
Member since Aug 2014
5855 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:03 am to
Get another quote if you think it's high. Better yet, go purchase all the materials and plan to DIY. It will probably only take 3 or 4 days of all day labor. Then add up all the costs and see how much your time is worth.

Not trying to be smart - I'm a small contractor and one of my main gripes is that people don't really know what all is involved (it adds up quickly).
Posted by TigerBalsagna
tRedStick
Member since Jan 2015
727 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:04 am to
Damn....hiring a pro for less that 5K, winner winner. Do it.
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
29855 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:06 am to
Did you get multiple quotes? Or do you have a history (or recommendations) with this contractor that makes you inclined to use him?

That doesn’t seem unreasonable to me. Though possibly a tad high, not a dealbreaker if the contractor is someone you trust to do the job right and back their work.

If the contractor is not someone you have experience with and/or trust to give you an honest quote, you should get multiple quotes. I typically make sure the contractors know that.

Don’t use price exclusively to make your decision, particularly on quotes that are close.

Posted by mikie421
continental shelf
Member since Nov 2008
686 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:20 am to
I paid $2700 to remove about 10’ of wall and install an 18’ LVL to open up the space between my kitchen and living. Did not include Sheetrock or flooring work.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
56182 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:28 am to
Can you go get an envelope w 4000 in cash?

I’ think the price seems fair, if he is responsive and you trust him, that has value

Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81576 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:50 am to
I might have a small one of these for you
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
56182 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 8:56 am to
Maybe a 2 for 1 discount. I have like three little things that are adding up, they all require finish work....I would get a divorce if I attempted them
Posted by Johnpettigrew
Louisiana
Member since Sep 2017
1633 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:04 am to
That was going to be my post also. I am not a contractor, but a business owner. No one takes into account, all the extras required like license, liability insurance, workers comp, taxes, etc. There is way more in those numbers than just labor and materials. If the guy takes a CC, he is giving up 2.5 to 3% of the cost off the top.
Posted by tropheus12
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2019
35 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:09 am to
This is kind of a small job for a GC to take on thus the price.

Email me if you need a carpenter.

gpollet@cox.net

Posted by sodcutterjones
Member since May 2018
1240 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:11 am to
quote:

That was going to be my post also. I am not a contractor, but a business owner. No one takes into account, all the extras required like license, liability insurance, workers comp, taxes, etc. There is way more in those numbers than just labor and materials. If the guy takes a CC, he is giving up 2.5 to 3% of the cost off the top.


Your exactly right. And from my experience of subbing out contractors, get a PROFESSIONAL who is licensed and bonded. Saves lots of headaches and won't be any shady work. I know we as homeowners have our eyes pop out when we see quotes but you do pay for quality.
Posted by SirSaintly
Uptown, New Orleans
Member since Feb 2013
3131 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:26 am to
quote:

This is kind of a small job for a GC to take on thus the price.

Email me if you need a carpenter.


Can a carpenter do something like this? I was considering getting a framing carpenter to give me a quote.
I'd contact you, but am in Dallas.

This other guy was recommended on Next Door. Not familiar with his work.

I am considering demoing sheetrock myself and putting out for free bulk pickup.

Then letting carpenter or framer, etc install the beam.

I'd probably pay a sheetrock guy to come finish it.

I can paint the small amount of sheetrock.

Don't need to lace in floors b/c I am installing an island where wall was (basically cabinets anchored to floor with countertop).

Since it's such a small project I'm considering doing what I can myself and hiring out what I can't. Unfortunately I'm on a budget, so trying to keep costs down. I know GC's hate people like me
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
56182 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:32 am to
Go to Alex for a couple days work?

It is amazingly hard to find a guy to come out for tiny jobs. But now they have piled up.
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 5/10/19 at 9:49 am to
quote:

I know GC's hate people like me
They hate me too, because I'll catch every single thing they do incorrectly (or not to my standards), and make them either redo them, or take it out of the bill so I can do it after they leave for the day.

After living in my house for almost six years and having multiple contractors come through here, there are only two guys I trust to do work without being checked
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