Is $37,000 too much for labor on a Baltimore row home?

Is $37,000 too much for labor on a Baltimore row home?

Real Estate Investor · Waldorf, MD · Member since 2014 · 592 posts · 320 votes

Here is what the contractor is proposing.

This includes plumbing, no electrical or HVAC work.  They will be framing and installing a new bathroom in the  basement and utility room in the basement.  Installing a new kitchen with an island, and a new bathroom on the 2nd floor.  Unfinished basement and no priming, point up or painting throughout.  Contract details are below:

1. Pull all necessary permits for the renovation project which include Plumbing, Gas, Framing, Insulation and

drywall. The Electrical and HVAC permits will be done/ pulled by the Electrician and HVAC contractors. The actual

cost of the permits, are considered as property material / expense cost and are to be paid by the property owner.

2. Exterior work: Install new down spout on the back of the property, Install 3 new exterior doors with hardware.

Doors to be installed will include one front door, one back door and one basement door. Repair existing rear deck

which consist of replacing board on rails and decking and secure deck properly from moving.

3. Interior work: Frame first floor perimeter walls as needed for open floor plan. Build new stairs in basement to

resolve plumbing pipe obstruction issue. Frame basement bathroom and utility room wall only, to create separation

from utility area and open unfinished basement. Frame 2 nd floor walls as needed for new bathroom remodel new

closet design. Install new basement steps and handrail to meet Baltimore city codes. Install insulation on exterior

walls as needed.

4. Plumbing: Remove all existing plumbing drain and supply lines and install new plumbing supply lines to the new

kitchen location, new laundry location front and rear hose bibs and new hot water heater location. Install new

plumbing supply and drain lines to main bathroom on second level and new full bathroom location in basement.

This will include the labor for both rough-in and finish work. The plumbing work only consist of interior work if any

outside or exterior lines are in need of replacement those item will be determined later and will be at an additional

cost.

5. Electrical: All electrical permits and work will be done by the electrician chosen by the property owner. We will

coordinate as much as possible with the electrician to meet your expectations for a finished project according to

your plans/ scope of work, however ultimately the final responsibility of that individual performance is that of the

property owner.

6. HVAC: All HVAC permits and work will be done by the HVAC contractor chosen by the property owner. We will

coordinate as much as possible with the HVAC contractor to meet your expectations for a finished project

according to your plans/ scope of work, however ultimately the final responsibility of that individual performance

is that of the property owner.

7. Install new drywall in property as and where needed, mud, tape, sand, and finish. Leave ready for priming, point

up and painting. Install new baseboards, trim molding in entire property as needed. Install new interior bedroom

and closet doors (6 panel doors with hardware). Install new tile and decorative backsplash in both bathrooms (2nd

floor and basement) install new toilets (2) and two new 24-inch vanities with faucets. Install new ¾ inch or

laminated hardwood flooring on main / first floor from front door through kitchen. Install new kitchen wall and

base cabinets either 36” or 42” inch wall cabinets and hardware. The granite countertops will be installed

separately by the granite countertop vendor. We will return after the granite is installed to put in the backsplash as

needed.

8. The install of the carpet in the living areas you choose, will be installed by the carpet vendor which we will

coordinate. The labor and material cost for this service is not included in the labor cost for this renovation project.

9. We will clean entire property of trash and debris from our construction renovations and dispose of in the

dumpsters provided. There may be some final details such as dust and window cleaning etc. which you may need

to hire a cleaning person or company perform before listing the property. Any remaining material or extra material

will be your responsibility to return. We will not nor will have time to remove, take or return any useable or good

materials from the property. Please make sure your coordinate this service to return any extra materials that we or

you have purchased for your project. 

0Reply
30 views

Most Popular Reply

Ozzy SirimsiBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 782 votes
7y

Is this everything included or just labor??

If all included I think it is pretty decent price. If you go lower than you might have time or quality issue.

See this reply in the discussion

6 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    The pricing, from my armchair view - does not seem to be glaringly overpriced.  A substantial amount of work is being done.

  • Ozzy SirimsiBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 782 votes
    7y

    Is this everything included or just labor??

    If all included I think it is pretty decent price. If you go lower than you might have time or quality issue.

  • Real Estate Investor · Waldorf, MD · Member since 2014 · 592 posts · 320 votes
    7y

    @Ozzy Sirimsi This is for labor ONLY.  I have to pay for everything else.  This is almost a full rehab.

  • Ozzy SirimsiBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 782 votes
    7y

    It can be done cheaper,does it  worth  to spend more time on searching for a cheaper one, losing time, paying holding costs etc... who knows how long it will take. 

    you might not save much at the end of it.

    If you know their work, or got referrals, I think it is fine. But make sure they can work with hvac and electric people accordingly.

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 169 posts · 82 votes
    7y

    Complacency costs money. Good its labor only (so you control materials) , bad the price is so high. do the work and find out the following: 

    How much should a laborer get paid for an 8 hour day? A skilled laborer? A specialist (Elec, plum, hvac)? How many days should each take? Total days? = what labor should cost. 

    Ill help (80-120, 150+, 200-300+, depending on complexity)....how many days? How many contractors of each type? For how long?....figure it out, do the legwork. 

  • Ned CareyPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    @Account Closed

    Are you saying they will demo the first floor and take out walls? If so that seems reasonable but i am not strong on knowing labor prices vs labor and materials. We pretty much always spend that much on  a property that needs work.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.