[graciegirl]

I have found that the prices for services from contractors are widely different here in The Villages.

I have come right out and asked twice when a landscaper has posted a picture of a landscaping job, how much did that cost and they gave both times, both contractors what to me was an evasive answer.

I was thinking how we residents could help each other shop for services and get the best price. Most of us need to be mindful of our budgets.

For instance, we paid $175 for our one year inspection. It arrived in the form of a booklet with pictures and was very complete. We got the name of the guy from neighbors and the contractor turned his report over to warranty and all items were attended to immediately.

We paid $35 dollars in Hadley for the power washing of our vinyl siding Camellia, but found a contractor that would include the lanai for $50.

In Hadley we had a lawn service that cut our lawn, trimmed our bushes,edged and chemically weeded for $55 a month. Our Camellia had a small lot backing to a wall.

We found the lowest prices AND an excellent job for the pull down stairs from Tim the Toolman and for the gutters and downspouts from M and M, but Sweetie can't locate the bills.

When we were in Hadley the going price to have one 25 foot queen palm planted and guaranteed for a year was about $850 dollars.

There was a handyman that charged $15 dollars an hour for things like hanging extra shelves in closets and anchoring bookcases to the wall. Labor, not materials.

I don't know what the price is on having the driveway painted because we haven't had it done and we also have not had curbing added to our landscaping.

It would be useful if people wanted to share the cost of things that they have had done, so that we can evaluate what is a fair price.

[ConnecticutYankee]

Gracie......good post! A year ago we added 2 solar tubes in the bathrooms. $1000 for the 2 installed by The Solar Guys! Excellent job! They get high marks on this website.

Kathy

[ConnecticutYankee]

Gracie......good post! A year ago we added 2 solar tubes in the bathrooms. $1000 for the 2 installed by The Solar Guys! Excellent job! They get high marks on this website.

Kathy

[e-flyer]

I agree, I'm seeing landscaping prices all over the place (rock estimate to replace pine needles $1800-$5000, corner lot with landscaping on 3 sides). It's also best to do a search here to see if the contractor is reputable or not. Will save you lots of grief.

[festusrules]

Contractors consider how much they need your job when quoting. If busy, expect to see higher quotes.

[graciegirl]

Another thing is that some contractors bundle services and some quotes I have heard are outrageous....and some are fair. If we don't know how much the going rate is for application of fertilizer, and lawn pests, etc. etc. we can't know if that bundle is a good deal.


Gracie the tight.

[784caroline]

Gracie

You concept has merit BUT it can only apply to very specific sutiuations. There are many variables with every type of work.

You metioned landscaping, that is so depenedent upon the needs of the homeowner that it would be difficult to compare apples to apples. Yes you can say $35 ft for a queen palm installed but what if the palm is located in a not so accessible area, or are all queen palms created equal! The same applies for stone $XX per ton but then the variable is how many tons do you need...how far is it to carry it to install?? No job is the same and then of course there are always the changes to the original contract!

Just look at trying to get a price for shades for your house. Everything effects the price, ie.manufacturer; solar, trac, roll-up etc; the fabric, the degree of visible light; motorized or not--- wired or battery--how many remotes----wall switch--even the brand of motor; do you want installation, Etc. Very hard to compare what you want to someone who simply posts it cost be $1500 for shades when you know the range can be $1000-$5000.

We had a custom built wall to wall entertainment center built. There were many variables that entered into the price ie, size; painted vs stained -- well that determined if he was going to use #1 (stainable) or #2 (paintable)grade wood which greatly effected the price; glass vs wood shelvfs, cabinet doors; moulding top and bottom, type of lighting and hindges; and finally any electronics built in allowing you to operate your equipment. No one standard fits all and for different set-ups the the price could be $1000 a part.

I think with landscaping and most other construction work the reputation of the contractor you are dealing with is by far the better guage of getting quality work and a quality product at a fair price....and someone who willl stand behind their work. This type of work varies by consumer, thats why as you stated a contractor will give you an ify answer unless you are a serious customer. AS someone else mentioned, contractors such as T&D have a great reputation but because they are so busy they only take on certain jobs and you must wait a fairly long time just to get an estimate. The same is happening with smaller or even independent contractors who have developed a good reputation...there is a reason why!

Oh i forgot to mention, just as contractors are individuals, the consumers (you and I ) are even moreso! What you may consider a fair price for a particular piece of work, well my perception may or may not agree with you... its only human nature.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

Gracie

You concept has merit BUT it can only apply to very specific sutiuations. There are many variables with every type of work.

You metioned landscaping, that is so depenedent upon the needs of the homeowner that it would be difficult to compare apples to apples. Yes you can say $35 ft for a queen palm installed but what if the palm is located in a not so accessible area, or are all queen palms created equal! The same applies for stone $XX per ton but then the variable is how many tons do you need...how far is it to carry it to install?? No job is the same and then of course there are always the changes to the original contract!

Just look at trying to get a price for shades for your house. Everything effects the price, ie.manufacturer; solar, trac, roll-up etc; the fabric, the degree of visible light; motorized or not--- wired or battery--how many remotes----wall switch--even the brand of motor; do you want installation, Etc. Very hard to compare what you want to someone who simply posts it cost be $1500 for shades when you know the range can be $1000-$5000.

We had a custom built wall to wall entertainment center built. There were many variables that entered into the price ie, size; painted vs stained -- well that determined if he was going to use #1 (stainable) or #2 (paintable)grade wood which greatly effected the price; glass vs wood shelvfs, cabinet doors; moulding top and bottom, type of lighting and hindges; and finally any electronics built in allowing you to operate your equipment. No one standard fits all and for different set-ups the the price could be $1000 a part.

I think with landscaping and most other construction work the reputation of the contractor you are dealing with is by far the better guage of getting quality work and a quality product at a fair price....and someone who willl stand behind their work. This type of work varies by consumer, thats why as you stated a contractor will give you an ify answer unless you are a serious customer. AS someone else mentioned, contractors such as T&D have a great reputation but because they are so busy they only take on certain jobs and you must wait a fairly long time just to get an estimate. The same is happening with smaller or even independent contractors who have developed a good reputation...there is a reason why!

Oh i forgot to mention, just as contractors are individuals, the consumers (you and I ) are even moreso! What you may consider a fair price for a particular piece of work, well my perception may or may not agree with you... its only human nature.

You know that I think you are one of the smartest guys I know, so I have failed to communicate well.

I think what I meant to say is...will posters share what they paid or have been quoted for certain services...and maybe the range of the quotes?

For instance. For a designer home of about 2000 sq feet and vinyl siding...what is a good price for powerwashing? I say $35.

Or..what is a good price/ or range for a small lot, medium lot, large/end lot for grass mowing per month or grass mowing and trimming per month or grass mowing, trimming, edging and no weeding and no fertilizing per month?

I am not asking selfishly, I just think some people are paying too much for some services because they are new to the area. Grass cutting is MUCH cheaper here than in Ohio, but our lots are much smaller too.

Please share...and if you don't want to say...say a neighbor pays a certain amount for this service.

[Ecuadog]

I'm betting that a lot of people don't want to post what they paid for goods and services because they don't want to hear, "You paid what? I only paid such-and-such."

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

I'm betting that a lot of people don't want to post what they paid for goods and services because they don't want to hear, "You paid what? I only paid such-and-such."

You know what? You are right. (As usual)

How about this. Let's assume that we are all out searching for quotes.





How about if we would say...Is 35K a reasonable price for a golf cart addition to a garage on a vinyl sided home?

OR...how much per running foot does curbing cost and what are the kinds of curbing offered?

Or what is the going rate for a concrete pad poured 4" deep and 14' by 14'?

Or. What is a fair price for a bird cage with a concrete pad that is 14'x16'?

Jimbo has done a LOT of research and I know others have as well.

[drdodge]

that why you should always get at least three quotes for any project. I have been in the const , business all my life and the prices in the villages are all over the place

[angiefox10]

Unless you are planning on having the work done, why would you ask? I have seen people ask about the cost of landscaping when those people have made it clear they had no intention to have landscaping done. Isn't that a little like holding the china up to the light to see what it's worth?

I have paid $150 to have my hair cut and $35 to have my hair cut. Is the cost important to a person or the cut?

I just had a solar tube put in my home for $350.... I had to call the installer and have it removed and replaced by a much more expensive one.... It made a difference!

Landscaping rock can cost from $1000 to $5000 depending on the type of rock and how much rock a landscaper uses... Some landscapers will skimp on the rock. *shrug*

If you are interested in having work done.... Call the contractors and get estimates for YOUR home! What you want done may not be the same as what someone else wants and of course would make a difference in the cost of the project.

Also consider.... what something is worth to one person may not be worth that to another.

Now... back to landscapers.... You see a couple of pictures and want to know what the job costs.... Since you aren't seeing the WHOLE job... The cost would mean nothing. Not to mention as already posted... many people don't announce the price of their purchases.

[billethkid]

just had all our rock "refreshed" after 10 years it has been beaten down some....11 tons + clean up and weed befoe putting down the new rock...$1400.

Trimming/cleaning of queen palms....anywhere from $8- $15 per tree...they will bargain for the job.

Lawn mowing $15 per week.

Trim bushes once per quarter $65...same person that mows the grass.

Fertilize grass and bushes....monthly treatment...$500 for the year.

We have a much larger than usual premier lot.

btk

PS excellent post/subject GG

[jimbo2012]

Gracie the thread is good idea, it make separate the stealers from the dealers.

The most frequent problem shopping for services like landscaping is the home calls up say 3 companies.

They give a price but it's on 3 different verbal designs and items included, that's a great way to bid against yourself.

Beware of someone that will not sketch out what your getting.

Also ask up front if they get you ARC approval for the proposed work,

You should have one plan and shop that plan, if you're spending over $7500-10K you really should hire a landscape architect for about $750, shop that plan which will specify everything.

Construction additions similar to above, many say to each contractor I want to add a room on about this big how much.

Again you may not get your monies worth, a set of blue prints are required, the contractor will hire someone and add his markup and he works not for U but the contractor, bad idea.

U hire your own architect work on the design, shop that design, contractors are not designers.

.

[bkcunningham1]

We've had our water oak trimmed twice in fours years of living here. Both times the crews were insured, had workers' comp on their employees and we saw the documentation before they touched our trees. They had to climb our tree and rope down the branches they cut. They removed the debris and didn't ask for a cent until the job was completed. We paid over $700 for the water oak that hangs over our driveway. The first time we also had them trim up a live oak in our backyard on the golf course. The total for both trees was about $1200.

We also own a house where my father-in-law is living. The property is home to a magnificent magnolia. Maybe the prettiest in all of TV. The woman we bought from told us the name of the tree man who trimmed the tree every year for her. He is also licensed and has the proper insurance on his men. He just did trimmed that tree a few months back for $100.

They didn't have to climb the tree nor worry about heavy branches damaging a driveway. Anyway, on the surface the prices sound very far out of range doing a comparison of tree trimming. With a closer look, it makes sense why the two companies charged very different prices.

We talked to people who have had similar work done much cheaper, but the contractors left with a promise to come back for the limbs and-you guessed it-they didn't come back.

I think it is the same with landscapers. If you are interested in having work done, get a few quotes. If Mansfield or another landscaper posted photos of my yard and the beautiful work they did for me AND posted how much I paid, I'd be upset. Plus, you know prices change and are seasonal on some things. I bet they would hate to be committed to a price someone saw online for a particular landscape job six months ago or a year ago and quizzed why their quote was different.