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They Want How Much for this Job !!!!!!!!

Jeff | Posted in General Discussion on December 19, 2004 05:40am

Hi all

Got an interesting story, question, etc.

My in-laws have an apartment in New York (Riverdale section) in a Co-op.

The Co-op is doing the terraces.

After alot of arguements, they agreed to remove and store the glassed in enclosure that was installed on the terrace.

Now mind you, it’s just screwed and caulked on.  Basically a storm window type of enclosure.  Some open, some don’t.  About 6 ft by 8 ft, 3 sided.

The co-op would rather just throw it away, but after alot of fighting by the tenants, they agreed to allow them to be re-installed.

So far, no big deal.

The tenants need to re-install the enclosure and pay someone to do it.

As I understand it, they were quoted $11,000 to re-install it by some one.  A neighbor was quoted $13,000 to re-install theirs (slightly larger).

That’s no materials, and all pre-fitted.

This sounds crazy, and I mean that.

How big a job can this be?

Can anyone tell me if I’m wrong?

You could build a new one for that price.

I’m not licensed in New York, but can’t believe this.

I built my shop for less.

I’ve thought of grabbing my partner, driving to New York, doing the job and returning.

Even if it took a full week, it would still be less.

If we could do the neighbor also, we’d make 10 times what we normally do.

Can some one set me straight, or is anyone licensed in New York who wants to do this.  They can’t do the re-install till next fall, so lots of time.

 

Jeff

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    dieselpig | Dec 19, 2004 06:10pm | #1

    Jeff, it sounds like you work in a rural area, like myself.  It's a whole different ballgame working in a city like that.  Imagine trying to find and then pay for parking.  How long is it going to take you to set up with your van (or whatever) parked a 1/4 mile away and 26 stories down?  Better not forget anything in the van, or you're looking at 1/2 hr trip to get it out of the van.  Tolls?  Traffic=time lost.  What are the liabilities involved if a good gust catches one of those pieces of glass way up there and sends it down to the sidewalk below?

    Point I'm trying to make is that the two local guys came in somewhat close to each other with the price.  They know something that you and I don't know about this job.  The grass is always greener.....

  2. User avater
    EricPaulson | Dec 19, 2004 06:10pm | #2

    Jeff,

    Not being able to see what you are talking about, make it impossible for anyone here to pass judgement; I'm sure that you understand that.

    Labor in NY will probably be higher than anywhere else in the nation. A guage of installation cost may be what the unit cost to purchase and install new.

    I usually have a license in Westchester County, which is what is needed in this case. I do not currently, so by law I would not even be allowed to solicit this work from you.

    Look for J. D. Reynolds here. I believe he is in Yonkers, and perhaps he would be interested.

    If not, take my # 914-953-5306 and hold onto it. My license will probably be renewed when I have the need to work in Westchester again, and I will be glad to consider this work.

    Eric Paulson

    I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

    With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

    1. User avater
      EricPaulson | Dec 19, 2004 06:11pm | #3

      hey...........get out of my head!!I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

      With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

    2. SHG | Dec 19, 2004 07:43pm | #4

      Riverdale is in the Bronx, not Westchester. (You would need a NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs license to solicit work. And the building may well be unionized, requiring that all work be done by union labor.) But that aside, and generally high labor costs, and all the other explanations too, those numbers sound inconceivable.  There's got to be something else going on.  The coop board is getting 50% for letting the contractor into the building? 

      Can't explain why, but no way. 

      SHG

      1. Jeff | Dec 19, 2004 08:41pm | #5

        Hi all again

        A few extra comments to add.

        First, Yes this is the Bronx, not Westchester

        Second,  only one contractor (from the building I think) quoted.

        I know the area, and parking isn't a problem here, theft might be.

        I helped my in-laws move in a bunch of years back, which is one of the reasons I haven't offered to do this.

        My wife thinks their getting ripped off and thinks I could do the job easily.

        I'm sure it's not a hard job, just a PIA due to the distance and the Permits.

        If I don't solicit and do it as a relative, then the permits might not apply, but I don't know for sure.

        I know a contractor in the area, and he's real expensive.  But then again, it is New York City.  I don't know if he'd save them money or even if he'd do it as to the fact it is glass and on a terrace.

        I just did a re-glass on a greenhouse 2 summers ago up here and new glass, new side windows, and fix-up rotted area of wood and only charged $5000 for the entire job.  Insulated glass and overhead panals no less.

        I still think there being stuck.

        Jeff

         

        1. BKCBUILDER | Dec 19, 2004 09:10pm | #6

          What's a co-op?

          What's a terrace?

          I'd let them get ripped off, cause I don't want to go anywhere near a city, any city, anywhere.

          I get in a bad mood when I have to go downtown in my city...which is only about 75000 people, and no building over 8 stories. I get in a worse mood when I have to go to Akron or Cleveland.

          Are there any HD or Lowes in the city? Are they in the bottom of massive buildings...or on the 50th floor.

          I'm small-town-country.......like I had to say huh?  Keith

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