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Having the contractor to add miscellaneous things (prices)

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06-12-05, 09:53 AM

Hybrid93Hatch

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Having the contractor to add miscellaneous things (prices)

I just purchased a typical 1,600sq/ft home in your typical sub-division and wanted to get some input on having a few extras put on the house.

I asked about getting at least one extra electrical outlet in the garage and 2 if the price is reasonable. The realtor for the community has not got back with me with a price yet.

While showing my parents pictures of the home my father also recommended I have a larger attice opening with drop down stairs installed in the garage instead of the standard 4' X 4' opening.

Also was thinking about having the living area prewired for surround speakers.

Basically I would like to get input on what the prices should be for the extras. I have no idea where a "fair" price should be for this stuff since this is my first home and never done any home installations.

Thanks for any input!!

PS I do plan to replace both standard garage lights with dual 8' flourescent lamps. After I do a little research on how this is done of course

Thanks for any tips!!

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06-13-05, 08:56 PM

Brian Garrison

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Hybrid93Hatch,

The price for upgrades will always be higher than if you do it yourself. However it is far cheaper whatever the price (in most cases) than trying to go in after the fact for upgrades. I cannot tell you a fair price as I have no way of knowing what may or may not be involved in adding an outlet or a switch, etc... It depends on the location, the ease to run the wiring and whether or not it affects the breaker loads. The good thing is that all the work will be covered by warranty. With regards to low voltage (speaker wires and the like) they are so easily damaged during the course of construction that having the contractor wire them is perfect. If the wires do not work (they are pulled to hard during wiring, spiked by a nail, pinched by sheetrock) the repairs to sheetrock for rerunning the wires would be covered by your warranty.

I hope this helps in your decision.

Brian Garrison
general Contractor/Professional Building Designer

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Home Plans, Building, Construction And Green Designs
Design Build Contracts - Good Or Bad?

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Doug Aleshire on May 01, 2005

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