Lower Your Home Repair, Home Remodel Cost

A Phone Call Away To Lower Your Home Repair, Home Remodel Cost

We tend to go with the handyman, plumber, landscaper or any other home service provider that we know well to complete our home repairs or renovations. But if you make a couple calls to get several more quotes, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars in handyman costs and several thousands of dollars on a bigger home renovation project. To drive this point home, I have listed ten of my recent home projects and highlighted the price differences in the quotes that I have received. Note that the mentioned quotes are for the greater Los Angeles area.

1. Paver Prices

Ever wondered how much landscaping labor rates could vary? Here is an example:

Project Description: Remove backyard concrete and dead grass. Pave the whole backyard with paving stone. Also create planter area with drainages and sprinklers, install stone veneer on spa wall.

                        Quote #1: $16,000

                       Quote #2: $27,000    

                        Difference: $11,000

2. Carpenter Rates

Below shows a real life example on how different two carpenters charge for the same project.

Project Description: Replace walled staircase with wooden stair posts and handrails. Includes widening of steps.

   Quote #1: $1,975

Quote #2: $3,500

Difference: $1,525

3. Cost To Install Wainscoting

Here are five quotes I received for my wainscoting project. Note that the cost differences are quite large!

Project Description: Install 26’ of wainscot paneling on two walls in the family room (material and labor)

Quote #1: $870 

Quote #2: $1,150 

Quote #3: $3,000

Quote #4: $4,000

Quote #5: $1,500

Max Difference: $3,130

4. Cost To Add A Window

Many homeowners want to add extra windows to their homes to allow more natural light into the house. In my case, I needed to enlarge two existing windows for the same purposes. Here are two quotes that I got:

Project Description: Enlarge 2 existing windows (each window from 4x3ft to 4x5ft) (parts and labor)

Quote #1: $1,150

Quote #2: $1,700 

Difference: $550

5. Shutter Installation Cost

Here are two quotes that I have received from the local shutter companies to install wood shutter on several windows:

Project Description: Install wood shutters (6 windows) (parts and labor)

Quote #1: $1,500

Quote #2: $2,500

Difference: $1,000

6. Cost To Install Fireplace Mantel

My fireplace looked pretty plain so I wanted to install a mantel. I received two quotes for the project.

Project Description: Install fireplace mantel (painted) (parts and labor)

Quote #1: $900

Quote #2: $1,200

Difference: $300

7. Cost To Move and Plant A Tree

The cost differences from four gardeners varied quite a bit too!

Project Description: Pickup Crape Myrtle tree 3 feet box ~8 ft high from local nursery and plant in backyard (including cost of tree) 

Quote #1: $375

Quote #2: $450

Quote #3: $650

Quote #4: $800

Max Difference: $425

8. Gardener Prices To Replace PVC Pipes, Sprinklers 

Project Description: Replace sprinkler PVC pipes, 3 sprinkler valves (parts and labor)

Quote #1: $225

Quote #2: $250

Difference: $25

9. Hourly Rates For Plumbers

Project Description: Copper pipe extension from wall to toilet (parts and labor)

Quote #1: $85/hr

Quote #2: $120/hr

Difference: $35/hr

10. Cost To Install Reverse Osmosis System

Project Description: Install RO Filtration system under kitchen sink (labor only)

Quote #1: $100

Quote #2: $150

Difference: $50

As you can see, the differences in price quotes can be quite large! You can save quite a bit of money with just a few more phone calls or emails.  Keep in mind, though, that pricing is just one of many factors that you should consider when you select a service provider for your home project. The provider’s quality of work and timelines, among other things, are factors that you should also keep in mind.