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Further basement work...

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ChadTower:

Not sure what the going rate is out there.  Where I live you have to pay people a good amount to get them to do anything.  Did you propose a lower rate?  I'd be likely to ask for $25 if I was willing to work for $20 and walk at $15.

shardian:
If he's just a vinyl siding laborer, then $25 is probably a raise for him. Still, it's side work so he can charge whatever he wants. I can't judge him since I feel like a criminal for the rates I get paid on flat rate sidework.  ;)

You would probably get a better price if you just offered a flat rate and that they do all the work. Then you can pay half advance, and then spend your time inspecting work and making sure they are doing things right. People work much faster and more efficient when they work flat rate. And if they ---fudgesicle--- up, they have to fix it on their own time technically.

ChadTower:

I'd definitely keep in mind that using someone else carries all sorts of issues that doing it yourself doesn't... if permits need to be pulled, he isn't going to be doing that.  If inspections must be had, he won't have them done... etc etc.  A good amount of the price of a solid pro is knowlege of local codes and the ability to get permits/inspections done in a timely manner.  That may be more important here in MA than it is in other states - we need a permit to flush the toilet more than once in a sitting.

shardian:
Dude, you've really started to get at me with all of this permit crap, so I had to break down and do my research. I am only subject to the county here. The only thing they care about for new development is zoning, erosion control, and flood plane stuff. For renovations, the only care about changes to soil and grade changes for erosion and run-off reasons.

I can do whatever the hell I want all on my own if I feel qualified. As to homeowners insurance, I don't think there is anything in there that specifically states that I can't personally do the work. I'll double check for sure now that I know what I am looking for. It doesn't really matter though since building permits aren't legally required, and everything is being done according to code. Luckily, I have access to the entire catalogue of national fire codes right here at work. ;D NFC 70E is the national electrical standard.

Besides, if doing your own home renovations was so "illegal" as Chad makes it seem, why do stores sell DIY books, eh? ;)

ChadTower:
The guys who came to my house monday had to pull a permit to do that work.  I had to pull a permit to have my shed built and the damn approval process took months until I finally just said eff it and scaled it down to the biggest nonpermitted size.  I'll have to get other permits for any other electrical work I have done down there and would have to have a couple more if I were putting in a bedroom.  I may end up having to get one or two since a bathroom is in the plans.

It's all about what state you live in.  MA is brutal on fees and permits.  So is RI.  Little blue states... duh.

This guy is in MA which is why I mentioned it.

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