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We are buying a new house(first time home buyers) and wanted some opinion on these upgrades, if its worth to do it with builder or do later on.
1. Garage Door opener (Builder is asking $800)
2. Laundry tub ($450)
3. Deck stairs for a deck which needs no more than 4 steps ($600)
4. Wrought Iron grill for stairs and on top for two storey family room ($1700)
5. Door for formal living($800)
Please advice.
Many Thanks!!
Some of the comments that were made were spot on, some I think are assuming too many things
1) garage door opener, its an easy add, and you can get them installed for like $400 including the opening from any number of garage door places. do it later
2) yes the laundry tub probably only costs $100 for a cheap one with faucet, however I'm assuming the plumbing isn't going to be set up to just drop one in here, with supply lines and drain lines run if the builder doesn't do it. I would think it would cost more to do later to get a plumber out there to install one and run the pipes after the fact.
3) Thats a lot for deck stairs if its made out of regualer PT board. if you're talking composite, that costs a bit more, HOW does the deck come without stairs!?
4)$1700 is a huge upcharge if you're talking about from wood, unless you have a really big open space. however, if you're talking about an upcharge from a kneewall of drywall vs a iron ballusters and wood rail..... then that changes things, I would expect that to cost significantly more than a few hundred. my upcharge on my stairs and small space in the foyer was about $300 from wood to wrought iron.
5) the door, if there is a doorway, that is of a decent size, installing a prehung door, and trim isn't all that pricey. However, if basically it is they fully wall it off vs having an opening and door, and if the door is expensive it might make sense to have the builder do it.
Decks stairs are another $50 worth of materials and even if you need a "tutor" to show how cut and hang stringers there is a HUGE upcharge built intto $600.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmrisko
Aren't stairs on a deck that needs stairs required by code?
Builders actually sell houses without garage door openers? I figured that was common-place in every new construction build.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk327
3) Thats a lot for deck stairs if its made out of regualer PT board. if you're talking composite, that costs a bit more, HOW does the deck come without stairs!?.
The one thing you guys are forgetting- stairs HAVE TO HAVE landings. Which would normally consist of a concrete pad. A minimum of 3X3, but usually about 4X3.
Granted, it's not a lot of concrete but there a lot involved in making that concrete appear.
And there is no "code" requirement for stairs on an atypical residential deck.
Do you recommend concrete slab below the backside deck(daylight basement with entry on the side) which is about 2 feet tall and we would probably never go below it. Its basically unusable.
My concern if its left as is below with pine straw or something, it might be a breeding ground for insects, snakes etc.
Please advice
Last edited by bindas45; 08-18-2012 at 09:11 AM..
Reason: Forgot to add a follow up question
Railings can also be a part of the equation-
any porch, stoop, deck, etc. that is more than 30" above the final grade and/or stairs that have four or more rise, require railings. And stairs require railings with "grasp-able" handrail- the old days of a 2X4 cap on the railing doesn't fly anymore (at least where it's enforced).
Not that easy in production home building-
But yeah, it "could be" that easy.
You're right, its not that hard, but it still has to be done, concrete has to find its way to the jobsight, someone has to build a form, mix the stuff, and pour it. Same with teh stairs, not that hard to do, although harder than the concrete, and a railing.
there may be no requirement for stairs, however, I guess I've never been on a deck wtihout them. If I asked someone to build a deck, I would assume it comes with at least 1 set of stairs to the yard... but then, I've never contracted for a deck, I've just helped build them, maybe that is assuming too much.
We are buying a new house(first time home buyers) and wanted some opinion on these upgrades, if its worth to do it with builder or do later on.
1. Garage Door opener (Builder is asking $800)
2. Laundry tub ($450)
3. Deck stairs for a deck which needs no more than 4 steps ($600)
4. Wrought Iron grill for stairs and on top for two storey family room ($1700)
5. Door for formal living($800)
Please advice.
Many Thanks!!
I'm on Long Island (NYC Metro area); going through a major remodel, and these prices are outrageous; except, possibly, the wrought iron railing (if it's a fancy...victorian...design). I'm assuming the door is an interior and no additional framing is required.
I'm betting calling a "railing" a "grill" and a "balcony" an "on top" has the builder thinking you don't know the value of things.
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