OT estimate cost to replace porch posts and railings

[uhlerlion]

Just looking what I would expect to pay a contractor in labor

My first estimate was for 3200 in labor alone equates to 40 hrs at 80 bucks an hour in other words 5 guys for a full day at 80 an hour. What is a contractors normal rate?

seems awful high considering I am only asking for installation of the PVC composite to replace my rotting wood

 

[uhlerlion]

seems like 2 guys should be able to knock it out in a day that's 16 hours at what maybe 50-60 an hour. Maybe I'm totally off base here

 

[sluggo72]

seems like 2 guys should be able to knock it out in a day that's 16 hours at what maybe 50-60 an hour. Maybe I'm totally off base here

how much are the materials?

 

[mrtailgate]

Just looking what I would expect to pay a contractor in labor

My first estimate was for 3200 in labor alone equates to 40 hrs at 80 bucks an hour in other words 5 guys for a full day at 80 an hour. What is a contractors normal rate?

seems awful high considering I am only asking for installation of the PVC composite to replace my rotting wood

It's expensive. I had it done at our beach house and they have to spend a lot of time cutting pieces, etc. Our deck had a lot of zigs and zags as opposed to just straight large pieces if that makes sense. It was a father and son duo and they were there for two days. I don't think that sounds outrageous to be honest.

 

[Lions8286]

seems like 2 guys should be able to knock it out in a day that's 16 hours at what maybe 50-60 an hour. Maybe I'm totally off base here

Just did this two years ago. I'll see if I can dig out the info tonight, but I'll guess we did 25' of railing for about that same price.

Where do you live? If you're in the Lehigh Valley, we had a very good experience with the company we used.

 

[uhlerlion]

how much are the materials?

5 railing kits tot 1250
6 posts tot 900

so about 2200

 

[uhlerlion]

it does but

It's expensive. I had it done at our beach house and they have to spend a lot of time cutting pieces, etc. Our deck had a lot of zigs and zags as opposed to just straight large pieces if that makes sense. It was a father and son duo and they were there for two days. I don't think that sounds outrageous to be honest.

this is literally one straight line about 30 ft total or 2 15 ft sections each supported by 3 posts

 

[sluggo72]

5 railing kits tot 1250
6 posts tot 900

so about 2200

it usually seems to me, that the labor is some multiple of the materials, many times, it has nothing to do with how much time is evolved. I don't know if it is true or not, but that's what I heard some guy mumbling one day when I asked for a price (mumble mumble , the materials are $2200, mumble 1.5 times that is around $3200 mumble for labor) at least that's what I found ( carpet guys, the carpet is x, labor to install is 2x, of the 2x the first x goes to the installer, and the second x goes to the carpet shop)

 

[uhlerlion]

it usually seems to me, that the labor is some multiple of the materials, many times, it has nothing to do with how much time is evolved. I don't know if it is true or not, but that's what I heard some guy mumbling one day when I asked for a price (mumble mumble , the materials are $2200, mumble 1.5 times that is around $3200 mumble for labor) at least that's what I found ( carpet guys, the carpet is x, labor to install is 2x, of the 2x the first x goes to the installer, and the second x goes to the carpet shop)

that is very interesting

 

[meanmiJ01]

I have had a few contractors give me the line that double the material cost and that is what you will get for labor. Of course that is over drinks usually and depending on what you are doing I think that can vary by quite a bit either way.

 

[Art]

5 railing kits tot 1250
6 posts tot 900

so about 2200

Are you providing the materials or are they? If it's you, expect them to make up their margin foregone by jacking up the labor cost. That's not atypical of contractors. Sometimes you can find people who do this sort of work on the side to avoid this, but usually you wind up getting stuck.

 

[Nittany18]

I built a rectangular deck for my parents off of their dining room (cut a hole in the wall and installed a french door leading out to the deck), Trex composite and vinyl railing around the entire thing, even ran electrical to every other post to cap a nice soft light. My payment? He allowed me to continue to be his son. In all honesty, that seems expensive, but my folks just had their spare bathroom remodeled, marble tile in shower and a smaller grid pattern on the floor...easy work...$4500 for labor!!! I'm looking for the contractor now to give him a piece of my mind.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Just looking what I would expect to pay a contractor in labor

My first estimate was for 3200 in labor alone equates to 40 hrs at 80 bucks an hour in other words 5 guys for a full day at 80 an hour. What is a contractors normal rate?

seems awful high considering I am only asking for installation of the PVC composite to replace my rotting wood

Found this site.... https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_ornamental_columns.html

 

[PearlSUJam]

seems like 2 guys should be able to knock it out in a day that's 16 hours at what maybe 50-60 an hour. Maybe I'm totally off base here

Is this with you supplying their tools, transportation, insurance, etc.? If not, this has to be factored into the labor costs.

 

[uhlerlion]

Are you providing the materials or are they? If it's you, expect them to make up their margin foregone by jacking up the labor cost. That's not atypical of contractors. Sometimes you can find people who do this sort of work on the side to avoid this, but usually you wind up getting stuck.

no they were providing the materials

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Just looking what I would expect to pay a contractor in labor

My first estimate was for 3200 in labor alone equates to 40 hrs at 80 bucks an hour in other words 5 guys for a full day at 80 an hour. What is a contractors normal rate?

seems awful high considering I am only asking for installation of the PVC composite to replace my rotting wood

seems very high to me especially considering that few contractors actually work 8 hours/day. My rule of thumb is $80-$120/hr for skilled trades (electricians, plumbers) and $50-$70 for less-skilled trades (tile, carpentry).

I'd keep shopping by first visiting the local distributor who stocks the materials. Go chat with the sales people and get some additional names of reputable contractors who do this kind of work.

Go get at least 3-4 more bids.

 

[Art]

no they were providing the materials

So $5400 total. Sounds high. I'd get more estimates.

 

[tboyer]

I know of someone who asked a contractor to price some interior renovations and was shocked when the estimate came back at 200k. This is without structural changes.

This is the price of a strong economy. There are no no hungry contractors, so everybody is inflating estimates -- sometimes to ridiculous lengths. If you do encounter a hungry contractor I would investigate carefully.

In a normal economy, I'd say get 3 or 4 estimates. You typically get one that's ridiculous, one that's aggressive and some in the middle. But these days 3 out of 4 will come back ridiculous.

Now there's no real way to beat the system.

Why not just get a post hole digger and do the work yourself. Hire a helper from the neighborhood. This is not difficult carpentry at all.

 

[sluggo72]

I know of someone who asked a contractor to price some interior renovations and was shocked when the estimate came back at 200k. This is without structural changes.

This is the price of a strong economy. There are no no hungry contractors, so everybody is inflating estimates -- sometimes to ridiculous lengths. If you do encounter a hungry contractor I would investigate carefully.

In a normal economy, I'd say get 3 or 4 estimates. You typically get one that's ridiculous, one that's aggressive and some in the middle. But these days 3 out of 4 will come back ridiculous.

Now there's no real way to beat the system.

Why not just get a post hole digger and do the work yourself. Hire a helper from the neighborhood. This is not difficult carpentry at all.

I'd do it just the opposite. I'd go down to the local blue collar watering hole. Find some guy with some skills, be his helper and rap that job out (with you having already bought the materials) you might even learn something Pay that guy cash,even if you pay him $30 bucks An hour even if it takes 10 hrs you are only out $300 bucks!! And at most 1 1/2 days

 

[PearlSUJam]

I'd do it just the opposite. I'd go down to the local blue collar watering hole. Find some guy with some skills, be his helper and rap that job out (with you having already bought the materials) you might even learn something Pay that guy cash,even if you pay him $30 bucks An hour even if it takes 10 hrs you are only out $300 bucks!! And at most 1 1/2 days

Or you could just hire professionals that warrantee their work, carry insurance, and don't spend their nights (or days)at the local watering hole! Upside is you don't get killed when the roof falls down on your families heads!

 

[MtNittany]

I'd do it just the opposite. I'd go down to the local blue collar watering hole. Find some guy with some skills, be his helper and rap that job out (with you having already bought the materials) you might even learn something Pay that guy cash,even if you pay him $30 bucks An hour even if it takes 10 hrs you are only out $300 bucks!! And at most 1 1/2 days

What if a permit needs to be pulled? What if the guy gets hurt on your property while working?

 

[tboyer]

I'd do it just the opposite. I'd go down to the local blue collar watering hole. Find some guy with some skills, be his helper and rap that job out (with you having already bought the materials) you might even learn something Pay that guy cash,even if you pay him $30 bucks An hour even if it takes 10 hrs you are only out $300 bucks!! And at most 1 1/2 days

That can work. For a project like this there is really no reason to hire a "contractor." Hire a handyman with contractor skills who works by the hour and then pay for time, and then supervise the job (or, better, help do the work yourself).

Sometimes "contractor" means you're getting someone who is A) bidding you a fixed price. B) Padding the price 30 percent for profit and another 30 percent to cover uncertainty, plus a profit on the materials; C) (this is fair) paying their crews a good hourly wage with benefits -- say $25-30 an hour, which they bill to you at $80 an hour. and D) basing the estimates on blue book estimates, not actual hour estimates, which represent worst case scenarios. and E) Going to change order you for every little thing that doesn't go exactly as planned.

 

[tboyer]

That can work. For a project like this there is really no reason to hire a "contractor." Hire a handyman with contractor skills who works by the hour and then pay for time, and then supervise the job (or, better, help do the work yourself).

Sometimes "contractor" means you're getting someone who is A) bidding you a fixed price. B) Padding the price 30 percent for profit and another 30 percent to cover uncertainty, plus a profit on the materials; C) (this is fair) paying their crews a good hourly wage with benefits -- say $25-30 an hour, which they bill to you at $80 an hour. and D) basing the estimates on blue book estimates, not actual hour estimates, which represent worst case scenarios. and E) Going to change order you for every little thing that doesn't go exactly as planned.

You can definitely hire well qualified "handyman" types who ARE insured, but their model is time and materials so they don't pad the bill the way a contractor will.

To those people who want to hire a contractor, it's great for all the reasons you state, maybe the work will be warranteed. But in this economy you will be paying 3x as much for the deck that you would have paid 2-3 years ago.

 

[sluggo72]

What if a permit needs to be pulled? What if the guy gets hurt on your property while working?

a permit for what? guy gets hurt? homeowners. from his description, this isnt rocket science. I am not trying to step on any contractors feet, but really? from what I read, its not like he's 50' off the ground.

 

[sluggo72]

Or you could just hire professionals that warrantee their work, carry insurance, and don't spend their nights (or days)at the local watering hole! Upside is you don't get killed when the roof falls down on your families heads!

what roof?

 

[PearlSUJam]

what roof?

Sorry, I misread. I'd personally use a reputable contractor that guarantees his work, carries liability insurance and is familiar with and follows building codes.

 

[jrd23psu]

I built a rectangular deck for my parents off of their dining room (cut a hole in the wall and installed a french door leading out to the deck), Trex composite and vinyl railing around the entire thing, even ran electrical to every other post to cap a nice soft light. My payment? He allowed me to continue to be his son. In all honesty, that seems expensive, but my folks just had their spare bathroom remodeled, marble tile in shower and a smaller grid pattern on the floor...easy work...$4500 for labor!!! I'm looking for the contractor now to give him a piece of my mind.

My brother re-did his bathroom for $400. He bought all the materials at Home Depot. He replaced the vanity which included a mirror and put ceramic tile down on the floor of a decent sized bathroom. He did all the work himself. My god, labor is expensive.

I'm in the process of looking to buy a house and if I need any work done my brother will be helping me do it. These posts OP is talking about my brother would help me install in a weekend for a case of beer.

 

[artsandletters]

Just looking what I would expect to pay a contractor in labor

My first estimate was for 3200 in labor alone equates to 40 hrs at 80 bucks an hour in other words 5 guys for a full day at 80 an hour. What is a contractors normal rate?

seems awful high considering I am only asking for installation of the PVC composite to replace my rotting wood

Do you happen to live near Philly or in Delaware?

 

[the rigger]

Where apx do you live? I'm a GC in PA,del ,SC.

 

[Nitt1300]

“Quality is like buying oats. If you want nice, clean, fresh oats, you must pay a fair price. However, if you can be satisfied with oats that have already been through the horse ... that comes a little cheaper.”

 

[uhlerlion]

Do you happen to live near Philly or in Delaware?

philly suburbs NW

I surely can do the work- have been very handy around the house ( I do want to make sure its done right), like to consider all options before deciding what is the best route to take. Love all the feedback, had no idea that contractors out there are still looking to fleece some folks. guess I shouldn't have my car parked in the driveway to bias if i have any money or not. I have no problem paying for a honest days wage even if its padded a little for the xtra stuff. I'm all for supporting local business, but not through the nose either.

I would also not rule out that the guy could be inflating the price because he just doesn't want to spend his time on a "simple job" as he could be doing more expensive projects for the time allotted I suppose. More estimates are on the way, I just wanted a gauge of what to expect.

again thanks for all the feedback

 

[artsandletters]

philly suburbs NW

I surely can do the work- have been very handy around the house ( I do want to make sure its done right), like to consider all options before deciding what is the best route to take. Love all the feedback, had no idea that contractors out there are still looking to fleece some folks. guess I shouldn't have my car parked in the driveway to bias if i have any money or not. I have no problem paying for a honest days wage even if its padded a little for the xtra stuff. I'm all for supporting local business, but not through the nose either.

I would also not rule out that the guy could be inflating the price because he just doesn't want to spend his time on a "simple job" as he could be doing more expensive projects for the time allotted I suppose. More estimates are on the way, I just wanted a gauge of what to expect.

again thanks for all the feedback

The reason I asked about Philly is that you may be able to find laid off carpenters, union or otherwise, who could do the work on a time/hourly basis only. You provide the materials, they provide the work. There's also union carpenters who moonlight on weekends. It doesn't sound like more than a weekend's work, two sets of hands, barring complications.

 

[jim cummings]

philly suburbs NW

I surely can do the work- have been very handy around the house ( I do want to make sure its done right), like to consider all options before deciding what is the best route to take. Love all the feedback, had no idea that contractors out there are still looking to fleece some folks. guess I shouldn't have my car parked in the driveway to bias if i have any money or not. I have no problem paying for a honest days wage even if its padded a little for the xtra stuff. I'm all for supporting local business, but not through the nose either.

I would also not rule out that the guy could be inflating the price because he just doesn't want to spend his time on a "simple job" as he could be doing more expensive projects for the time allotted I suppose. More estimates are on the way, I just wanted a gauge of what to expect.

again thanks for all the feedback

Be wary of the too good to be true estimate as well.

Also, ask for 3-4 references from each and possibly pictures of completed jobs. Call each reference and ask them about their experience with that contractor.

I give prospective customers a pamphlet that has pictures and a list of a dozen references and I encourage them to contact each one. That sells the job for me every time barring Im dealing with someone who thinks they shouldn't have pay more than a neighborhood kids wage for a professional job.