Our Geometra e-mailed me the builder's estimate for Phase IVB the other day. I asked him not. He insisted. I asked because I HATE surprises. And, the estimate was A Surprise.
Talking it over with Dr. You, listing the items to be tackled...
Talking it over with Dr. You, listing the items to be tackled...
-create a new window in the Salotto... here DR. You wants two but...
-open another in the Sala da Pranzo... the one that looks like a gun-port to fend off attacking Indians...
-open a archway between the two... already a window. What should it cost to make it into a doorway?...
-open a doorway from the Kitchen to the Stanza dei Tini... so I, or someone else, can pee without getting wet, for cryin' out loud...
-slap down a terra-cotta flooring...
-slap up stucco on some rather nice stonework...
and...
connect the tubes & stuff for an operating Kitchen...
We came to a figure of about Euro 15,000, a bit over $19,000. The builder's estimate was Euro 25,000 or, nearly $32,000!!! And that wonderfully surprising figure DOES NOT TAKE into consideration the following...
-the electrical system... I will NOT PAY more than a Euro 1,000 to run a few wires under the flooring. We will not use wall sockets. I can already feel though a fee of Euro 2,000 landing in my To Pay Box...
-the two fireplaces for Euro 1,600 ea. x 2 = Euro 3,200 and the cost of building the mantels, the flues, the exterior chimney... I estimate the total for the two will be in the neighborhood of Euro 7,000, touching $9,000!!!
-painting... which I might do myself, since we will not being slapping on calce... a delicate & finicky lime based paint. However, Our Painter will ask for Euro 2,000 = $2,500. I will do it for the cost of paint... say Euro 500.
-the kitchen cabinetry and appliances and a stone sink, which I estimate will come in, at the minimum, of Euro 5,000 or, $6,300. Stone sinks are EXPENSIVE!!!
- a chestnut wood staircase to get to the Bathroom after the Stanze dei Tini for Euro 1,000, if that, comes in at $1,300...
and...
-the windows & doors at Euro 10,000, a modest $12,300.
Let's do the Math...
the builder's & other Total = 25,000 + 2,000 + 7,000 + 2,000 + 5,000 + 1,000 + 10,000 = Euro 52,000, OR A WHOPPING $66,500!!!
Whereas, My Total = 15,000 + 1,000 + 7,000 + 500 + 5,000 + 1,000 + 10,000 = Euro 39,500, or A MORE REASONABLE $50,500!!! Still EXPENSIVE but LESS THAN that $66,500, for sure.
So, this is what Our Dining Room Table looks like while studying the builder's estimate against those of the previous III Phases.-the kitchen cabinetry and appliances and a stone sink, which I estimate will come in, at the minimum, of Euro 5,000 or, $6,300. Stone sinks are EXPENSIVE!!!
- a chestnut wood staircase to get to the Bathroom after the Stanze dei Tini for Euro 1,000, if that, comes in at $1,300...
and...
-the windows & doors at Euro 10,000, a modest $12,300.
Let's do the Math...
the builder's & other Total = 25,000 + 2,000 + 7,000 + 2,000 + 5,000 + 1,000 + 10,000 = Euro 52,000, OR A WHOPPING $66,500!!!
Whereas, My Total = 15,000 + 1,000 + 7,000 + 500 + 5,000 + 1,000 + 10,000 = Euro 39,500, or A MORE REASONABLE $50,500!!! Still EXPENSIVE but LESS THAN that $66,500, for sure.
Here is Page 2 and what My Notes looks like...
I dare you to ask me if I am having fun? I told Dr. You that finishing La Casa Grande ought to be done for FREE!!! Any votes on that? Gads.
No comments:
Post a Comment