Problems Contracting A Project.

Buggs

Guys, I have a quick question and need a little advice. I have fireplace wall in my 3 year old home that I would like to do something a little dramatic with. The wall is 20 feet tall and 19 feet wide – fire place in the middle and two niches on either side of the fireplace that are 64” wide, 8’ tall and 24” deep.

I want custom cabinets in each of the niches, cast stone fireplace surround and the remainder of the wall covered by a raised panel style paneling. (The panels do not necessarily have to be raised – and I am not considering any exotic woods)

The problem is that I have contacted several contractors and either do not get called back or never actually get an estimate. I thought I had one business, but I have been waiting two weeks for an estimate and am tired. And I am not the type of person who is going to keep begging for the estimate either you want the work or not.

My budget for the wall is 15k, I expect some design assistance as a part of the budget and project. I do not have clue what size rails or styles to use. And I do not have architectural drawings of the TV cabinet. I am not sure why I am having difficulty hiring this project out. I am not considered difficult to work with and I am even willing to take time off work to meet with contractors to discuss the project.

So my questions are this:
Is my budget not enough for the project or are my expectations too high? And how do I best hire a contractor for this type of project?

Scott in Dallas

Glasshousebltr

Sounds pretty cool Scott, pretty basic also. They might be buried in work. 15K, for that, sounds like a decent number to work with, so I don't think cost is running them off. If I wasn't about to sign a new home contract I might be interested in making something like that work.

Good luck
Bob

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Bob

Buggs

Well, I think it would be most helpful if someone could give me advice as to how to find a quality contractor.

Glasshousebltr

There's a couple fellas here from the Dallas area. Go to the members list and check out the profiles to find them. Maybe they recommend someone, unless of course they're reading this already.

Another idea would be to contact your friends or co workers, nothing like a ref you can trust.

And even another idea. Put an ad in the paper for a good trim carpenter. There's always a fella or two floating around, but ya better screen them good and check refs. Your jobs pretty much a one or two man project, that might be why the other contractors have put you on a back burner.

Bob

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Bob

slickshift

Ask your family, friends, and co-workers

I like the ad idea too, I never have seen one before
I think that's a great idea

DecksEtc

Not a very good method/attitude to take for a new guy asking for help.

copusbuilder

Funny I read that the same way? Perhaps the answer lies there?

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AkA Richard Cranium

slickshift

I missed that
I'm not saying Buggs has one, but a bad attitude can "scare" me away

The question was posed if the budget was not enough or expectations were too high
Bob answered it truthfully, said it was a good project and a good budget, and I though that was helpful

Buggs

I am sorry, not an attitude - it reads differently then I meant it. I was just wondering if you might have a suggestion for finding a contractor that I might not have thought of. I guess I should not post late at night. And I do appreciate the advice, especially on a forum that I really should not registered on ( pros only)

copusbuilder

Seeing as it's Sunday ' You are forgiven"

As I have seen mentioned I feel the best way to get a "good" contractor is by talking to friends....At least then you know if they did what they said, stayed on target with their price and didn't steal, rape or become unreasonable.

My brother in law lives in Carollton and is trying to do some kitchen repairs. I told him about some folks here from the Dallas area but he is nervous of the internet and says he will talk with friends.
My sister lives in Rockwall and the fool just hired Home Depot to do a kitchen and add-on. She never asked me and said they botched it so bad she could cry.... Hey, she should have asked
Talk to Cole here on the forums...he is in Dallas?

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www.copusconstruction.com
www.etexasrentals.com
www.thelakevoice.com
AkA Richard Cranium

Robie

I'm not sure about this, but you may want to start looking at "Cabinetmakers" instead of contractors. Without getting into a debate over semantics, possibly your problem lies with the folks you are contacting.
You may also want to try www.woodworking.org for some help. A great bunch of folks always willing to help out.
Good luck.

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If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson

Cole

Sorry about your luck.

That sounds like a fairly straight forward project.

If you want some help, please feel free to pm me.

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Mike Finley

My advice as much as I have no love lost for them is to put your project on Service Magic. The first thing you need to do is get some contractors interested in your project, Service Magic should accomplish that, then it's just a matter of how much good old fashioned common sense you have as far as qualifying them. References and examples of quality similar work or competence displayed in work close enough that you believe they could make the transition into yours should be more than half the battle.