Crown Molding, sprinkler system and Water softener (Houston, Sugar Land: home builders, prices)

[butterflies105]

Hi,

Please help us to decide whether to let the builder install the crown molding ceiling, sprinkler system and water softener? Or should we do it ourselves? We are very tight in budget and if we could help to save some money we are willing to do it. We bought an inventory home but it has a lot of upgrades and we can't afford it, so the builder let us take away some of the upgrades. The house is in Katy

Here are the price lists:

Foyer - 1 pc Crown Mld 210.00 don't have the dimension
Master Bed - 1pc Crown Mld 390.00 is 14.5 x 17.5 sf
Study - 1 pc crown mld 290.00 is 11 x 12.5sf
kitchen/breakfast - 1 pc crown mld 340.00 is 12 x 16/ 10.5 x 12
extended Foyer - 1 pc 140.00 don't know
Family Room 1 pc crown mld 540.00 is 19 x 20sf

Sprinkler system: 2,370.00 for 6 zones. Is there any where can make it for less price than this?
Water softener: 2,123.00 De-pure

I appreciated it a lot for your inputs.

[swopoe]

We just had a sprinkler system installed this week on our new house (Sugar Land). It has 9 zones, and it was just a tad higher than the price you have quoted above.

If you have the builder do these things, will the cost be added to your mortgage? Because then you will be paying a lot more over the long run. If you can, it is just better to pay outright instead of adding to your mortgage.

[dtshd]

I got all those items done on my own because the builder was charging way too much.

I talked to the builder's carpenter who does all the crown molding for the builder's houses and he quoted me a price that was much reasonable so I let him do it.

Your sprinkler system is almost $400 per zone, that's pretty high. I used a company that charged me $280 per zone. He was very professional, quick response and his crew showed up on time. I am not sure if I called him at the right time that's why I got such a good rate, because everyone else I talked to wanted to charge about $350 per zone.

As for water softener, I went with Kinetico, which was much expensive than what you were quoted.

[butterflies105]

Thanks swopoe & dtshd.

I just called two different company that both of my friends referred, they both quoted me $1500 for 6 zones with 1 year warranty. They both have Rainbird, Hunters and Orbit brands. Do you know which brand is better? The builder is using Hunter brand for sprinkler system. I'm saving myself $870 if I decide not to go with the Builder. I'm happy.

Now, do you know or anyone knows anyone who does Crown molding ???

Thanks in advance!!!

[RPS13]

If you're on a tight budget, I'd put crown molding far behind a water softener and sprinkler system in Houston.

So I guess my advice is get the water softener, wait on the crown molding.

[xecluded]

butterflies105

Would you mind giving me the information of the company who does your sprinkler. Thanks.

[smuggy_mba]

We got the GE proelite water softner which runs about $1700. My friend got form Sears which was 800 and 200 something for installation. The sears guy who came out wanted 900 for installation and was promptly sent back.

PS: It's more if you don't have the pre-plumbing for water softener.

[butterflies105]

THanks RPS13!

xecluded: is it ok to post the name and phone number out here?
I'm so sorry I'm new to this forum and if you could show me how to use private message I can provide it to you.

smuggy_mba, I decided to go with the builder b/c they said pre-plumbing for water softener would be $1410, but with the water softener then the total is $2123. So mine as well I should go with them. THanks for your input

[NPHLYT]

Originally Posted by dtshd

Your sprinkler system is almost $400 per zone, that's pretty high. I used a company that charged me $280 per zone. He was very professional, quick response and his crew showed up on time. I am not sure if I called him at the right time that's why I got such a good rate, because everyone else I talked to wanted to charge about $350 per zone.

Please supply the contact info. I have a zone that needs work, and would like to get a separate meter.

Thanks,

NPHLYT

[DSL_PWR]

Originally Posted by butterflies105

Hi,

Please help us to decide whether to let the builder install the crown molding ceiling, sprinkler system and water softener? Or should we do it ourselves? We are very tight in budget and if we could help to save some money we are willing to do it. We bought an inventory home but it has a lot of upgrades and we can't afford it, so the builder let us take away some of the upgrades. The house is in Katy

Here are the price lists:

Foyer - 1 pc Crown Mld 210.00 don't have the dimension
Master Bed - 1pc Crown Mld 390.00 is 14.5 x 17.5 sf
Study - 1 pc crown mld 290.00 is 11 x 12.5sf
kitchen/breakfast - 1 pc crown mld 340.00 is 12 x 16/ 10.5 x 12
extended Foyer - 1 pc 140.00 don't know
Family Room 1 pc crown mld 540.00 is 19 x 20sf

Sprinkler system: 2,370.00 for 6 zones. Is there any where can make it for less price than this?
Water softener: 2,123.00 De-pure

I appreciated it a lot for your inputs.

Wow. All those prices are very high.

Are you sure you need a water softener? Might see how the water does for a few months and then go from there. A water sprinkler is a waste of money in my opinion but I like doing yard work and taking care of my lawn including watering. Just something I got from my grandfather I guess. The crown molding can be done fairly easily and you can do it yourself or you can hire a handyman to do the work.

I always have a hard time paying more for things than you should and home builders will usually get you any time they can on the price.

Who is the builder if you don't mind me asking?