Hi:
I am thinking about being my own contractor after reading your book but my first experience on my California run-down property was to install a septic system.
My excavator charged $100 per hour for the digging ($3700 total) and the hook-up to the drain-field and the house was at $50 per hour ($600 total).
Materials were $3600. Does this seem reasonable for California?
Did I pay too much? What would you expect a septic system to cost near Monterey
California?
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I don’t know if you paid too much nor do I know how much a septic system near Monterey CA would cost.
If I wanted to though, I would get at least three bids from three different subcontractors for the total job…NOT for a cost per hour
Several places on my web site byoh.com, I have the following advice on hiring a subcontractor or a subcontracting firm by the hour.
"Never accept a bid that is "by the hour”. It doesn't work".
"Remember Murphy's Law # 390: "If you want to see how expensive a job can be and how long it can take to finish, pay someone by the hour."
You might pay a little more for a firm contract bid but it's worth it for peace of mind"…read the rest
Good luck,
Carl