Replacing sliding glass doors
#1
12-08-05, 10:09 PM
Replacing sliding glass doors
I've got two sliding glass doors I want to replace ( 8ft and 10ft wide). I can get at a local builder's supply/overrun shop an 8 ft double french w/casement sidlites and a 10 ft double french w/fixed sidelites--but they are prehung new construction. I have sheetrock inside and stucco outside.
I'm wondering would anyone have an idea what it'd cost to get these installed? I'm thinking it may be better to buy from a full service dealer--sales and installation. Don't know.
What do you think?
I'm wondering would anyone have an idea what it'd cost to get these installed? I'm thinking it may be better to buy from a full service dealer--sales and installation. Don't know.
What do you think?
#2
12-09-05, 05:47 PM
Group Moderator
Everyone's got an opinion, so here's mine.
No contractor that I know of enjoys putting in products that someone else obtained. Often, selling the product helps the contractor pay his bills and overhead. When you call a contractor that is also going to sell you a product, he can get you the right product for the job so that it doesn't take more labor than necessary. There's nothing worse than struggling to put in a mis-measured door or window when it could have been the right size if they just would have consulted you first.
For instance. Say you get a cheap overrun door for $300. If it's the wrong size, or the wrong configuration, it might cost you $1500 in labor to have it installed by the time you figure the time and labor it will take him to re-drywall or re-stucco and then you will have to paint and the color and texture of the stucco won't match, etc, etc. and you will wonder why it is costing so much to put in your $300 door. (I might be exaggerating a little, but you get the idea of what could happen.)
On the other hand, you might have a contractor get you an $1100 door that only costs $600 to put in. Which is the better deal? And which way would make both of you the happiest?
Now you can probably get some free estimates from contractors in your area and get an idea of the cost differences involved. You could even ask them if they'd be willing to put in a door if you bought it somewhere else. It can't hurt to ask, but it would probably be wise for you to have some estimates both ways.
No contractor that I know of enjoys putting in products that someone else obtained. Often, selling the product helps the contractor pay his bills and overhead. When you call a contractor that is also going to sell you a product, he can get you the right product for the job so that it doesn't take more labor than necessary. There's nothing worse than struggling to put in a mis-measured door or window when it could have been the right size if they just would have consulted you first.
For instance. Say you get a cheap overrun door for $300. If it's the wrong size, or the wrong configuration, it might cost you $1500 in labor to have it installed by the time you figure the time and labor it will take him to re-drywall or re-stucco and then you will have to paint and the color and texture of the stucco won't match, etc, etc. and you will wonder why it is costing so much to put in your $300 door. (I might be exaggerating a little, but you get the idea of what could happen.)
On the other hand, you might have a contractor get you an $1100 door that only costs $600 to put in. Which is the better deal? And which way would make both of you the happiest?
Now you can probably get some free estimates from contractors in your area and get an idea of the cost differences involved. You could even ask them if they'd be willing to put in a door if you bought it somewhere else. It can't hurt to ask, but it would probably be wise for you to have some estimates both ways.
#4
12-09-05, 07:00 PM
Group Moderator
That's really hard to say. I would imagine it would take a two man crew to get the door installed. But if you've got stucco work on the outside and drywall repairs on the inside, plus new trim, that adds too many factors for me to even make an accurate guess. It costs a company a minimum of $30 hr to keep a decent carpenter employed... more for those skilled in the trades, less for a journeymen. I would guess it by the day, an average of $500/day for a carpenter & his helper, depending on your locale. If it takes a day to install and parts of several days to complete the job, you might be looking at a $1500 install. You'd have to ask them how long they think it will take, what it will all involve, and then figure it from there.
#5
12-10-05, 05:30 AM
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Xsleeper has brought up a very valid point here about asking a contractor to install materilas that you have purchased yourself, think of it this way; What would you say if you owned a diner and someone walked in off of the street with a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon and asked you you fry them up for him.
A good way to do this is to let the contractor buy the overrun door, he will check to make sure first of all that it will fit your project and also arrange for delivery. He will most likely mark it up, but remember, it's his bread and butter we're talking about here (or is it his bacon and eggs?)
Some contractors may also let you supply your own materials, but would only do so with the agreement in the contract that you are reposnible for all aspects of supplying the materials including purchasing, timely delivery, appropriate size, type and quantity for the job fit, color, completeness etc. and any delays or extras caused by not meeting any of the above would be dealt with on a time and materials basis.
A good way to do this is to let the contractor buy the overrun door, he will check to make sure first of all that it will fit your project and also arrange for delivery. He will most likely mark it up, but remember, it's his bread and butter we're talking about here (or is it his bacon and eggs?)
Some contractors may also let you supply your own materials, but would only do so with the agreement in the contract that you are reposnible for all aspects of supplying the materials including purchasing, timely delivery, appropriate size, type and quantity for the job fit, color, completeness etc. and any delays or extras caused by not meeting any of the above would be dealt with on a time and materials basis.
