All Forum Posts by: Julian L.

Pricing on labor seems fair... could you get it for cheaper...? If you've gotten multiple bids, why do you like this guy and how far is he from the low bid?

Have you checked references? Seen pictures of previous work? What is his resume? I don't know in california, but in some states you have free access to court records... I would check that if available. Licensed and insured... are you pulling permits for this work? Seems like most of it would be exempt from permitting, but you are talking about california here. Electrical and structural modifications probably have the most concern.

Well yes, of course I want to be sure this is a fair price. If this is what it costs, this is what it costs. I just wasn't sure how much padding contractors put in their proposals. I want to see if I can negotiate the price.

I've seen his work before and it's good. I have several friends who have used him and he comes highly recommended.

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Hello!

I'm looking to rehab this kitchen and found a contractor I really liked. This would be a place I will be living in for a while and I want to be sure it's done right, not cheap. Here are some photos, so you have an idea of what I'm talking about:

Essentially, I'd like to demo the kitchen cabinets, knock out the wall to the left and create a peninsula. I'd then like to move the stove where the fridge is, and the fridge to the right of the sink counter. I then want to install 4 can lights over the kitchen and 2 pendant boxes over the peninsula. All new appliances, hardwood floor (to match the rest of the condo), etc..

The contractor I liked the best gave me a quote of $10,500. I would have to purchase all appliances, sink, floors and extras. This is what I have budgeted:

$3000 for appliances
$350 sink
$100 garbage disposal
$450 hood vent
$300 facet
$100 backsplash
$350 hardwood floor
$1000 granite counter top
$1000 white wood cabinets with silver hardware

First question: is this a reasonable budget for what I'll need to buy?

Second question: What is the wiggle room for what contracts quote you and what they will go down to?

Third question: This is the estimate I received, does this seem reasonable?

1 Vote

Hello!
I'm purchasing a condo in Santa Monica and the kitchen needs work. I'd like to get a couple bids from contractors sooner rather than later to look at it and start work end of May / early June.

This probably won't be a huge job, but I would like to replace the flooring, update the appliances, replace the counters, change the lighting and potentially remove of the cupboards and install more storage. The amount for this project would be no more than $5k - $7k.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations.

Thanks!

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Originally posted by @Will F.:

Originally posted by :

@mattmason

On 90016, I own an income property north of the 10 Freeway (Mid-City). There are still quite a few properties that need rehab. Like most of LA, the real money is in value add, which I agree can be a little intimidating for a newbie, especially with the big numbers and RSO in LA. For the neighborhood, the good is that Mid-City to the North along Pico continues to improve. Culver City is just a mile or so to the West and this part of CC is about to really go to the next level. Just to the South, the Expo Line Phase II is opening next year and will provide a 20 minute stress free ride to Santa Monica, which is a game changer IMHO because there is no other affordable areas near SM that can come close to that commute. The bad is that there is really not much of a walking commercial street here so it is kind of a spillover neighborhood. Also, this area used to be a swamp (La Cienaga means swamp in Spanish) and does not do well in major earthquakes - liquefication...

@mattmason

I've seen north of the 10 freeway mentioned quite a few times in the Mid City area. What do you think of areas South of the 10 freeway for long term/value-ad/ buy and hold investing?

This... what about like Hauser and Adams or La Ceinega or Jefferson?

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bump

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Originally posted by @Mel Jeffrey:

@Julian L. I am curious why you are not interested in Palms but you would be interested in 90016?

Because I am priced out of SFH in Palms and since it's probably the least desirable neighborhood on the Westside, I'd rather buy a house. I'd really only do a condo if I found something in Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, West LA or Playa Vista. Maybe Culver City, but if I'm East of the 405 anyway, I almost feel like it's worth the risk in speculating with mid-city and avoiding the HOA fees.

Agora Hills and Woodland Hills would be an hour + commute during rush out, wouldn't it?

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Originally posted by @George Margareti:

I bought another duplex in the Mid city 90019 area in July 2012 for 425k - turned it into tri-plex and it generates 4050.00 in gross rent and the value is now above 600k ( Zillow has it at 778k and Chase Home value which is in my opinion the best free appraisal site has it at 613k) keep in mind both of those values are calculating it at a 2 unit and not a 3. This area is great and the Midtown shopping center is now at capacity, it only had Lowes in it in 2012. Planet Fitness just opened up 3 months ago and the commute to Santa Monica or Downtown is quick. There are still many great deals in the area and a lot of 2-5 units that need rehab. Basically near the 10 freeway and La Brea (North of La Brea might be a little more and South of La Brea a little less based on your budget)

What are your thoughts on 90016? I'm thinking the 10 and La Ceinega, as that is a bit closer to Culver City and the Westside?

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Originally posted by @Christine Lovett:

I found a couple SFR listings in your price range on the MLS within about 10 miles from Santa Monica that may work for you. Would you like me to send them your way?

I'm sure I have already seen them on redfin, but feel free to shoot any deals you find my way. [email protected]

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For those of you who are familiar with the LA area, I'm trying to buy my first place at 31 years young. I work in Santa Monica, currently live in Venice and rent for $1495/month.

I'm not even close to buying anything in that area - I'm totally priced out. Everyone says to buy the worse property in the best neighborhood, but I can't even find dumps or rehabs in Santa Monica / Venice for under $750k.

My budget to purchase is $500k - $650k and I'm looking for a 2 bed / 2 bath, so I can rent out one of the rooms to help me with my mortgage payment. I have $150k saved to use as a downpayment, closing costs and / or fix a place up.

Ideally, I'd like to purchase a house for $500k, use $100k down, have a monthly mortgage of around $2200 and put another $20k - $30k in repairs, fix up, live and get a roommate and then sell in a few years. However, it's looking like I'll have to be in less desirable neighborhoods to accomplish that. Otherwise, I could go condo route, but then I'm stuck paying a $300 - $500 HOA fee.

I'd like to keep my commute time to 30 minutes during rush hour and would like to buy in a "up and coming area." What do you think are the neighborhoods that will be the "next big thing" somewhat near the Westside? I've been looking at Playa Vista, Ingelwood and Mid-City. I'm almost priced out of Mar Vista and I'm really not interested in Palms.

I'm even open to Sherman Oaks, Topanga Canyon or some other further areas, but really not looking to sit on the 405 for an hour each way to work.

Does anyone have any ideas on where to look and buy?

1 Vote

All Forum Posts by: Julian L.

Julian L. has started 18 posts and replied 74 times.

Post: Rehabbing Kitchen Estimate - is this a fair price?

Post: Rehabbing Kitchen Estimate - is this a fair price?

Post: Los Angeles: Looking for a general contractor recommendation

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?

Post: Los Angeles: Where do I buy?