Garage Builder

Has anyone had experience with adding a garage with a bonus room to their house? I can search for a builder but word of mouth means more than a flashy advertisement.
I don't want an out of the box garage, it will be customized to attach to my house and I don't pay retail price for anything! I would prefer to find someone with the skills but willing to do it on the side but I will entertain any ideas.
Thanks

 

Please let me know if you find anyone reasonable. I thought builders were hungry for work these days but the bids I have gotten to add a utility room were excessive. $180 per square foot for utility space--I would not pay that much for living space.

 

It sounds like they are trying to make up their lost wages on one job. I'll let you know. I have faith in 4042. Someone will come along.

 

PM DMJMOM, her hubby does garages/additions and is A+++

 

Trenton Seagroves

669-9332

he did some work for me and also did a shed for FoxChasis? or something like that on here. Does great work and all custom!

Good Luck

 

Her husband quoted me 15-18K for a 96 sq ft addition.

 

wow try the guy I suggested he is local as well

 

CALL CURTIS STEVENS, 772-4548 HE IS RETIRED FROM THE CITY OF RALEIGH, HE WAS SUPERINTENDANT IN THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS HIS OWN BUSINESS NOW AND DOES QUALITY WORK, I WILL GUARANTEE HIM, HE IS A ARTIST IN HIS FIELD... HE IS ALSO LOCAL>>>
TAKE CARE ANNE:iagree:

 

While estimates for your addition seems excessive to you, they may be very realistic for your particular job. Even though building new construction has slowed down greatly in our area, there has been an increase in the home remodeling industry. Not all licensed contractors are feeling the hunger pains that you mentioned and you probably would not want to hire anyone that is real hungry...it may take more "bread" in the long run.

It is hard for most to understand the time spent, materials needed and effort involved to complete a quality remodel unless you have remodeled for yourself...here and recently. I have not seen many situations when a remodel/addition cost the same or less than new construction and though it sometimes hurts those that are not able to do the project themselves to hear estimates for building their new space, most builders, friends or side-job contractors are trying to help you understand the depth of your project and offer you guidance in projecting a realistic budget...Not because they are inflating their rates or taking advantage of potential customers.

I know some good ole boys (and girls) around that do good work at a fair price (several already posted here).... I just don't think it's fair to suggest that your estimate was high based on your square footage price alone and it certainly does not serve as a fair judge or accessment of any remodeling estimate or contractor . A beneficial post would give an idea or reason for the excessiveness compared to other bids.

Dont Care How You Did it in NY should give each posted reference a try and compare for themself. Looking at each estimate with items viewed or listed "apples to apples" (like quality of materials, warranties of labor and materials, time frame, permits, designs, credentials, experience, insurance, travel fees, allowances, references, etc.) will help determine the next step...

An unaffordable price does not mean an unreasonable price.

 

Travel fees and allowances???? 96 sq ft is smaller than a 10'x10' shed.

 

96 sq ft is smaller than a 10'x10' anything....

 

LOL... so true..

 

LOL - Which is bigger a 10X10 shed or a 10X10 addition? :lol:

 

HomeGirl lis right, there's alot that goes into these jobs than anyone who hasn't done it before would think. Remodels and additions are actually harder (in more ways than one) to do and sometimes estimate. And what kind of job you are looking to have done means something too. My husband has quoted people things before, and gotten turned down due to price. Then he went back and saw what they had done by someone else, and it wasn't nearly as detailed as he was quoting them. So always make sure you compare apples to apples when getting quotes. Also, be careful of cheap prices, there are a lot of homebuilders out there right now that think they can do remodels/additons, but seriously don't know how to price them because they've never done it before. It's a whole different ballgame, you can't price it per square feet like a lot of them are assuming they can. Then before the job's over they're asking for more money to cover their mistakes or just leaving town with your job half done because they ran out of money. Another thing to make sure you ask is if they're going to get a permit, a lot of contractors right now are looking for ways to cut down on costs, and aren't getting permits (or telling people they don't need one)

Hubby just got a job with someone in Cary, where they hired someone to do a remodel, the company tore apart their house and then told the customers they didn't need a permit for the work. :?: They definitely did!

 

Which is bigger a 10X10 shed or a 10X10 addition? For some reason I just was reminded of Jeff Foxworthy's remark about his deck being bigger and better than his neighbors deck....Anyhoo....

Seabee confirms my point that many people do not understand what could be involved....even on the smallest jobs...and why it is important to get more than one estimate. Just because a utility room (or 10x10 shed) seems small in comparison to building a new bonus room, not all utility rooms (or sheds) are the same in materials or circumstances.

If a job requires a builder living in Clinton to travel to Wake Forest daily, he may include travel fees to cover his time and gas. If the builder lives two miles down the road but has to pick up materials 40 miles away, he may charge a fee. It is good to be aware of "extra" fees in an estimate upfront, though some builders may just figure the fees in with their total instead of designating "travel fee" or "overhead". Either way, the "extras" should be clarified...no suprises for later! Also, it may help you choose which builder to hire, when you clearly understand if one builder's estimate includes for "extras" in his price and the other builder charges "extra" fees when/if they are needed, on top of his estimate and outside of your budget.

Allowances are typically given by builders to provide a "starting point" for items that will be chosen by the customer... unless the customer provides this information to the builder before the estimate is prepared. Many people are not sure what choices are available or the cost for those choices and look to the builder to provide this information. Others know exactly what they want or have seen a great picture in a magazine....but still are unaware of the costs. Some builders estimate based only on the tasks and materials that you specifically ask for, while others may include an allowance for incidentals that are not visible before starting a remodel, like hiring an engineer when you re-design the roofline or move a load bearing wall.

In other words, you would find a big difference between estimates for a utility room if one builder estimates using an allowance for base-grade vinyl flooring, paint and a fiberglass sink stand with chrome faucet without considering the "unseen" versus one including imported tile flooring, wallpaper and an apron-front sink with a commercial spray faucet and the "possibility" of needing to repair rotten floor joists... So allowances give you a starting point, options and/or prepare you for "the worst", though you may not spend the entire budgeted allowance.

My main point is just suggesting to compare "apples to apples" in order to understand what you get for your money when you are looking at different estimates and choosing a contractor...no matter how big or small the project seems.

BTW: I've seen some very elaborate 10x10 sheds that my husband would love to have himself...we just can't afford it!

 

I'm ready to do this - just want to bering the thread back to life to see if there are any more suggestions.

 

I'm real interested in findin' out who you end up using and the estimate? When you get to that point and feel like sharing, you can PM me if you'd like. Maybe they got a 2-fer special or somethin'.

Thanks bro!

 

I would steer clear of Carolina Custom Builders.

And when you draw up the contract be very specific to every detail.

 

still stand by this contractor!

Good Luck!

 

Will you be getting the materials yourself or let the contractor take care of it?
If you were to get the materials from BDC for example a 16'x24' Garage package would cost you $3231 incl. tax.
My husband just got done building himself a 16'x16' two story shed,we got the materials from there as well,they deliver for an additional $100.
We also checked with Neuse Indoor Lumber but they were more expensive.