This week was supposed to be a super productive week. I was going to call all these contractors/handymen to come and give us estimates on converting some of the space in the garage. But it didn't happen that way.
So here is a sketch I made of the garage and what I would like to see happen to it. The area marked storage is a unit that I already have. I just marked on my grid where I would place it. It's not going to be a large room, but then again I don't have a large house. My master is 12x12 and bedrooms 2 & 3 are 10x11. The room will have electric outlets, a ceiling fan above, a telephone jack and a cable jack. The closet gives us extra storage, which we need so badly. I'll actually have an enclosed laundry space, which I don't have and I'm very excited for. And I'll still have quite a bit of garage/storage space left.
- First guy was slow to return calls and slow to get back to us when he said he would get back to us. When he finally came out, he looked at the space, took my sketch, offered no suggestions and then failed to call us back. Well over a week later, he priced us at $4676, not including the electrical. He's still waiting to get that estimate back. He said I wouldn't need a permit, but I could apply for one if I wish. I doubt that I will go with this guy because I prefer to work with people who do what they say they are going to do.
- The second guy came recommended to us and called when he said he was going to call and came when he said he was going to come. He was direct, no fuss/no muss. He's a military man stationed here until February 2010. I have to say, I liked his style immediately. He came out, looked at the space, offered suggestions and cost cutting ideas. He was up front about what he could do and what he couldn't do. We buy the materials and he supplies the labor. The estimate came back at $2800, not including air, flooring, sheetrock finish and paint should we decide not to do paneling. He's not liscensed or insured (just a handyman) and it doesn't cover permits. If we do the work without permits, we would have to knock it all down should we decide to sell the house.
- The third guy came out today. He took a look at the space and offered his take on the space. I like him because he is local and he's currently not working. I think he might be very willing to work with us on price and he also said he could start immediately. He needs to work. Plus he's familiar with the law and building codes. He said it was up to us if we want to deal with permits or not, but in his opinion, it wasn't worth it to pay a minimum of $800 for an architect to come and draw up the plans to put up 3 walls. Either way, he's used to dealing with permits and it's our choice. He suggested cutting out the closet and purchasing an armoire instead which would make for a larger room (12x13). He also suggested a slightly different floorplan which is below.
He's getting back to us on Monday with an estimate. **Update: He got back with us today and I talked him down to $4145 if we paint and do the floors.
- The 4th guy was supposed to come today, but he stood us up.
