On The Look-out: A Helpful Guide To Estimating Woodwork Cost

May 18, 2010 - PRLog -- You really can’t rely on your intuition to tell if your contractor is already overcharging you or if he’s just buying cheap and low-quality materials to win your preference.  

Xaviera Arata Editor of the  Cheap Woodworking Tools  website -- http://www.CheapWoodworkingTools.net -- pointed out;

“…Depending on the size and extent of the woodwork you are considering, then you may even want to hire a third-party professional to estimate your woodwork cost…” Added Xaviera Arata

However, the following tips will help so you can intuitively judge for yourself if your contractor is charging you reasonable rates.

Check the cost of materials.  The value of your woodwork will depend mostly on the materials that will be used. This could the most expensive part in the construction so see if the amount your contractor bills you is up to par with the materials that he is using.

Review the laborers’ background.  You only need to pay a price above the prevailing market rate if your have certified experts working on your woodwork. If your contractor charges you with a very high labor cost when he’s hiring medium-skilled workers, then you should assert yourself and complain.  If he insists on doing it then you might as well drop him from the project.

Study the design.  Some woodwork designs, although highly intricate, are very common and aren't hard to mass produce.  See if you’re are simply being given such a design and in that case, make sure that you aren't being overcharged for what is seemingly expensive work.  There are many resources available online which could help you.

Observe the workmanship.  You’re contractor may have charged you a higher price per work done because he knows for sure that he works impeccably – that every detail of the design is followed up to the smallest detail; that no sanding marks can even be traced; and that the woodwork doesn’t look like different pieces of wood pasted together.  If your contractor works like this then you shouldn’t wonder why you have been charged relatively higher rates.

These four guidelines will give you a fair assessment of how your woodwork ought to be priced but there could definitely be inconsistencies between your estimate and your contractor’s.

“…You should be able to communicate parts of the bill that you don’t understand and those that you want changed with your contractor as this will ensure that the project will push through without any serious glitches and that you wouldn’t end up being ripped off…” Added Xaviera Arata

Further information, resources and reviews of the best and cheap woodworking tools by clicking: http://www.CheapWoodworkingTools.net