I've lived in my home since it was built, and in our living room, we have two sets of French doors leading out to the patio. My wife and I feel like this setup doesn't meet our needs, so we're thinking about replacing them with a single accordion-style door that can open fully. I've reached out to a few people for quotes, but I'm having trouble finding anyone experienced with this type of installation. The quote we received is around $30k, and we both think that's pretty steep. Given that we're in North Alabama, I'm wondering if this price is reasonable or if I'm just out of touch with how much these projects actually cost. Any insights?
3 Answers
Honestly, if you’re struggling to find multiple quotes, that probably reflects the going rate in your area. The idea of getting multiple quotes is a good one, but don't underestimate the quality of work depending on who's available. Sometimes less experienced contractors might quote lower, but that can lead to issues later on.
It really hinges on so many factors! Getting multiple quotes is essential. If it’s a substantial alteration to a load-bearing wall, you might have to deal with engineering fees and installation of beams, which can inflate the quote significantly. Make sure to clarify this with whoever you’re getting the quotes from!
You might be a bit out of touch here. $30k definitely sounds high but it really depends on what’s included in that price. Have you checked the cost of the actual door plus labor? If the door alone is $15-20k, then you're getting close to the right ballpark. Also, keep in mind that if they need to do structural work, that's going to hike the price too.
Right? Structural changes can add a lot. I’d also suggest asking for breakdowns of the quote to see where the money is going.