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Personally I prefer a fixed quote for any job. I actually prefer one that says $xx but if it goes easier than I am estimating, I will lower the final bill. They are a rare breed.
The PVC molding and trim is essentially just nailing pieces to the walls. The ceilings already have light fixtures. It's just swapping them out for ceiling fans. That's one day of work. On day 2, the backsplash and vinyl kitchen tile.
Installing ceiling fans may involve more than just swapping out fixtures. The fan weighs a good bit more than a light fixture and if the junction box is only nailed to a rafter that fan is coming down. There are metal mounting brackets available that distribute the weight between two rafters. This one is from a popular home improvement warehouse that will remain nameless for $14. If the attic space is accessible, just screw a 2x4 between the rafters and screw the junction box to it for a cheap fix.
Installing ceiling fans may involve more than just swapping out fixtures. The fan weighs a good bit more than a light fixture and if the junction box is only nailed to a rafter that fan is coming down. There are metal mounting brackets available that distribute the weight between two rafters. This one is from a popular home improvement warehouse that will remain nameless for $14. If the attic space is accessible, just screw a 2x4 between the rafters and screw the junction box to it for a cheap fix.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. If the location is on a first floor ceiling with a finished floor above it (OP never said and is probably long gone never to return), you're either pulling up the upstairs floor or cutting a big hole in the ceiling drywall to get access to the joists on either side.
Well, at this point we're probably just discussing it amongst ourselves as the OP, hoping to find validation for her narrative, but being told instead that there was no way her planned jobs would fit in her hoped-for labor hours, has undoubtedly moved on.
Now that you have about 50 different suggestions and opinions, here’s mine.
Price the work competitively to the specific trade your looking for, crown molding goes to carpentry and ceiling fans go to electricians.
Always do the electrical first in case there are wall opening or holes to patch and sparkle.
A Handyman is usually someone familiar and mediocre at doing many things while a tradesman is highly skilled at his (or her) specific trade. There is almost always big difference with with the end product as well as the time involved to complete the work.
I have NEVER had a job come out cheaper by the project than by the hour, even when I have bought the materials (e.g. tile or disposal or whatever). For example, I had my washing machine moved upstairs to the other side of a bathroom wall (so there was already water & drain lines in the wall). I was quoted $500 for the job by my (former) plumber. OK, fine, I need to use my brand new washer so yes, do it. Well, the plumber took less than 3 hours -- which would have been $246 at his company's hourly rate -- and used maybe $50 of materials. So I was charged almost double by the job compared to what I would have paid by the hour. Never again!!
Yeah, it's so hard to tell sometimes. I had someone coming to do a project (I am paying for the project, so he doesn't have to play with hours) and the first day, he told my husband this part should be done in about two hours. Of course, given the situation, he couldn't tell for sure, but he was just basing that off of his experience. Turns out it was a lot more work than he thought and it took about five hours. The next part would take about 1-2 hours, which he was right and the last part will probably take about an hour. But still---even with given hours you never know. Sometimes projects that look easy (mine did) aren't as easy as they seem if everything doesn't go according to plan.
Now that you have about 50 different suggestions and opinions, here’s mine.
Price the work competitively to the specific trade your looking for, crown molding goes to carpentry and ceiling fans go to electricians.
Always do the electrical first in case there are wall opening or holes to patch and sparkle.
A Handyman is usually someone familiar and mediocre at doing many things while a tradesman is highly skilled at his (or her) specific trade. There is almost always big difference with with the end product as well as the time involved to complete the work.
Because time is important, I've decided you use separate contractors for each job. An electrician for the celling fans, a separate person for the backsplash, flooring, etc. I'm going to do the crown molding and wainscoting myself. I can have everything done in 3 days. Individually, none of the jobs will take more than 3-4 hours.
I know most handymen like to charge by the project. Has anyone ever had any luck hiring a handyman based on an hourly wage?
I have a lot of odd jobs and I thought I could offer like $60/hr for eight hours a day, for two days.
Odd jobs would include:
-Doing interior wood trim work (add chair rail, wainscoting, etc)
-Install PVC crown molding in two rooms
-Put in kitchen backsplash
-Install three ceiling fans
-Put down vinyl tiles in kitchen/bath
Because time is important, I've decided you use separate contractors for each job. An electrician for the celling fans, a separate person for the backsplash, flooring, etc. I'm going to do the crown molding and wainscoting myself. I can have everything done in 3 days. Individually, none of the jobs will take more than 3-4 hours.
Be sure to come back and let us know how it all goes!
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