Basement Theater/Game Room [Finished!]

Main > Everything Else

<< < (28/57) > >>

Necro:
Javery - totally feel for you. I live in the DC area and our prices are obscene as well. $150k won't even get you a condo (well, maybe an efficiency) around here. Hell, townhouses in the decent neighborhoods start at $300k. I'm in the process of reviewing my basement setup now to try to 'make more space' so I can get a pinball machine in there ...if possible. :)

pinballjim:

--- Quote from: leapinlew on May 05, 2011, 09:07:49 am --- For example, we just had a pool installed

--- End quote ---

In St. Louis?? :o

Well, it'll be fun 2-3 months of the year, I suppose.

HaRuMaN:

--- Quote from: pinballjim on May 05, 2011, 09:52:22 am ---
--- Quote from: leapinlew on May 05, 2011, 09:07:49 am --- For example, we just had a pool installed

--- End quote ---

In St. Louis?? :o

Well, it'll be fun 2-3 months of the year, I suppose.

--- End quote ---

He could always build the redneck pool heater:

javeryh:

--- Quote from: leapinlew on May 05, 2011, 09:07:49 am ---
--- Quote from: javeryh on May 04, 2011, 06:15:55 pm ---Well DNA Dan, I'm taking your advice. I lined up some contractors to come out to the house and take a look and start giving me estimates. I totally agree about doing things now rather than later if you have the means (which I do... sort of... I think). The whole point of building a kickass basement and making the house bigger is for my kids (6-1/2 and almost 4). Every year I wait is lost time.

Tomorrow the first contractor comes over to take a look at the house and the plans I've had drawn up. He seemed to indicate that if I have the floor plan he can just run with that as most of their projects are designed by their internal team rather than an actual architect. We shall see...

--- End quote ---

Javery, I've worked with lots of contractors and I am going to assume you haven't. If you have, ignore this advice or at the least - don't take offense to it.

When it comes to the payments, there should be milestone payments setup to protect both you and the contractor. I prefer to not pay until the milestones are accomplished, but sometimes I pay before hand. For example, we just had a pool installed and the milestones were:

Agree on plans, sign contract = 5%
complete digging hole = 5%
Delivery of pool = 50%
Installation of pool = 10%
Installation of Electrical/plumbing = 10%
concrete installation = 5%
Final Grade of yard/cover/misc = 5%

I only paid as the job proceeded and inspections were passed. I've been burned in the past and would hate to see anyone else put in the same position. If a contractor needs a lot of money up front, it's a red flag to me. I've seen these guys get caught up in their own pyramid type schemes completing work for past customers using future customers money. In the end, somebody is going to get burned.

--- End quote ---

Thanks lew - that's great advice. I was thinking about setting something up like this with the contractor once we get down to business. My biggest fear is getting burned because you hear so many horror stories. Almost everyone I know says they liked their contractor but... and ultimately can't recommend them because of the "but" which usually revolves around money/payments/estimates.

I had my meeting this morning and it didn't go so great... his ballpark estimate was $300K!!! For a 25'x15' 2 story addition plus basement. It can't get any easier or more basic than that. How is that even possible? Insane. I'm starting to think this will never happen... I have a few more appointments though so we will see how it goes...

:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

HaRuMaN:
For that much money, you could buy a 4000 sq ft house with a 3 car garage and a pool out here... :afro:

Navigation

 Message Index

Go to full version