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Jul. 30th, 2009 01:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sexy_romulanElectrician dude has come and gone. He quoted us ~$2500, which was rather less than I was expecting, but recommends taking down the drywall completely, since he's going to have to mess with vapour barrier on an exterior wall. Well, on the plus side, we wouldn't have to worry about the drywall when tearing up the existing kitchen, and the cost of drywall per hour is no doubt less than the cost of electrical, so maybe it's worth it to make the electrician's life easier. Although we'd have to completely redo the backsplash. Also, moving the switch on the wall we want to remove may well turn out to be a total hairy problematic pain in the ass, but there's no real way of knowing for sure until the wall is open.
From speaking to this guy and to the guy Corey's family always goes to, though, I get the strong impression that such estimates are necessarily kind of vague, there being endless potential for surprises inside the walls. Hmmm. This does not make me happy, since every piece of renovation advice out there says GET IT IN WRITING, but Corey's family has no end of good things to say about their guy, although they note he's expensive. Well, electricians seem to be in general, really. I'll get a quote from him too, but he's on vacation until August 10, and if I manage to put in my order at Ikea before August 9 I get to take advantage of the sale, so I'll have to make up my mind to go ahead or not without that info. Well, if the plumbing and drywall costs (slightly more predictable) are looking reasonable, we'll have some flex room there. I've heard 20% of the budget is a reasonable amount to set aside for unpleasant surprises.
I hate trying to second-guess professionals, and I hate trying to plan for unpleasant surprises. It makes my brain hurt.
So: more phone calls tomorrow - pestering plumbers, a drywall dude, and a flooring place (since we'll need to patch the hardwood floor after the wall is gone). Hopefully we will arrive at clarity soon.
From speaking to this guy and to the guy Corey's family always goes to, though, I get the strong impression that such estimates are necessarily kind of vague, there being endless potential for surprises inside the walls. Hmmm. This does not make me happy, since every piece of renovation advice out there says GET IT IN WRITING, but Corey's family has no end of good things to say about their guy, although they note he's expensive. Well, electricians seem to be in general, really. I'll get a quote from him too, but he's on vacation until August 10, and if I manage to put in my order at Ikea before August 9 I get to take advantage of the sale, so I'll have to make up my mind to go ahead or not without that info. Well, if the plumbing and drywall costs (slightly more predictable) are looking reasonable, we'll have some flex room there. I've heard 20% of the budget is a reasonable amount to set aside for unpleasant surprises.
I hate trying to second-guess professionals, and I hate trying to plan for unpleasant surprises. It makes my brain hurt.
So: more phone calls tomorrow - pestering plumbers, a drywall dude, and a flooring place (since we'll need to patch the hardwood floor after the wall is gone). Hopefully we will arrive at clarity soon.
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Date: 2009-07-31 04:12 pm (UTC)Permit, you say? City website mentions need for inspection from the ESA but not permits...nor does the ESA website. Is there somewhere else I need to consult?
Yay Mike Holmes - I think I will have to pick up said book in any case! ♥ ♥ ♥