(no subject)

[vicarz]

Reviewing the bid and emailed questions about the bid, I'm alarmed that not only is the bid more than I hoped for, but on review it might not even include the master bath and washing machine closet. I can't think of anything else because I was ready to write checks for tens of thousands of dollars, to total hundreds of thousands of dollars, but now instead I'm wondering if I need to pull back or even rebid the job.

At what dollar value is it worth my while to open up bidding? His prices looked low per unit, but some costs are starting to look too high on further reflection.

I was ready to get this going, started making plans, and now I may find I'm just slightly past square 1.

I had upgrades planned on most materials, and was thinking of blowing up the ceiling in the master. Now...it's been since before 1/29/14; 4 months of double or more bills, of time spent learning, researching, running around.

I'm just too tired to be this frustrated.

I could start over, I have test pits, I have design plans. I could pay engineers and architects that I tried to avoid earlier, pay some people for a plan and then bid out contractors with a convenient chart to tell them what to do.

Hope I'm misunderstanding and overreacting. This is my vent, and I'm staying composed while perhaps having some questions and some potential concerns to discuss. This is my vent, checkbook in my pocket but ready to walk away. I don't know which course is irresponsible.

Edit - I'm freaking out because it took me 20 years and more of hard work, sacrifice, working harder than my peers, going to graduate school twice...this is decades of my life I'm juggling here. It's not just a cost, money, savings, it's years of my life. It's my gray hair, my wrinkled face, creaking knees, sleepless nights.

Comments

[grymnir.livejournal.com]

This is also why you need to get it right the first time.
I've seen too many half-asses additions, renovations, and poorly-executed installations in the past ten years, especially as flipping homes has become the norm for many.

If the bid does not include everything, then question it.

Yes, the double bills are a problem, but a poorly-executed renovation will cost you far more in the long run.

Good luck -- I'm having my own issues trying to find affordable (on my forthcoming new salary) housing in Arlington, so i am sympathetic.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Affordable housing in Arlington is now really pushed to south; rosslyn/balls/clarendon is nuts. Though I say this as someone that is kinda profiting from it, but I took a risk in 1995...