Basement Bar How much would you charge for this?

[Yuri]

Yuri,  since you put up a mantle on a stone fireplace, how did you mount the mantle? Bolts glued into the mortar? I need to build a mantle and mount it into a fireplace of Indiana limestone and mortar. I didn't want to start a new topic / thread just for this.
Thanks, Kevin

Kevin,
I was hoping to find a photo of support lags to show you but it looks like I don't have it.
There were a few options, one was french cleats the other was sliding supports.
Cleats would not work for me because I wanted to make sure should I ever want to remove mantle from fireplace I didn't want to break store, it had to be solid but possible removable.
So the option I went with was 3 support legs that are bolted into wall studs via pocket screws and glue. Permanent. Mantle slides onto those supports as it's hollow inside. Supports are actually 3 peaces of 3/4 ply glued together to create a one solid support leg 1-1/2 thick. They are cut a little bit bigger then inside of the mantle and then using send paper taken to precisely  size of the inside of the mantle. I wanted to make sure then I slide mantle on those 3 supports it goes in very, very snug and it's hard to come out. Once I have those supports. Basically 10" long and 8 or some inch side, I bolted then into wall, applied very, very, very small amount of glue and pushed mantle into them.
Then the stone work goes around. Grout, and you're done. Now in case I EVER need to remove it. all I need to do is, remove some grout around mantle and pull on it very hard and it should come out.

I don't know if this explanation helps or not. sorry I don't have photos.

 

[RDMuller]

Pricing is tough.  The number one rule I have heard is never price anything on what you yourself would pay for it.  You will usually be selling it at too low of a price if you do.  If you can find out what the customer's perceived value is, go from there.  How to do this is the question.  --- What is the rest of the furniture and house like as far as pricing, do they entertain a lot.

Give a few rough price estimates like --- painted MDF is ballpark this, oak is that, stained cherry is ball park something, granite is this, laminate is that.  Once you get a feel for how they regard lower prices vs. higher prices, slip into the design Sketchup kind of mode and and give them a price.  Try to build some contingencies  in if you can.  In any event, if you agree on a price go forward and don't look back.  You will only tear yourself up if you do. 

Another rule, if you get every job someone inquires about, you may be too cheap.

 

[nickao]

Once the guy told me "I could get a Chinese knock off for a 1000.00" I would tell him yeah that's the way to go and walk away.

After many years I can see trouble a mile away and bad clients are not worth the hassle. When it gets tight and I don't follow my own advice and instincts I regret it every time.

If the guy said that then he is not going to be a good client, no one that appreciates hand made stuff would ever say that.

That unit is 10,000.00 if its a penny(and I would charge way more).

 

[upscale]

Why do people want 'bars' in their homes anyways?!  Isn't the point of a 'bar' to go out and be with your community? good times or bad?

It's all about showing it off to your friends and neighbours. For me, if I built it myself, I'd get enjoyment every time I saw it. There's the pride associated with building something really nice for yourself. There's the pride I'd get from showing it off to all my neighbours, and lastly, I'd feel good inviting friends over to socialize because this bar would be one of those things that invited compliments every time someone saw it.

Of course, one can buy something like this, but the enjoyment from showing it off is minimal compared to the enjoyment you'd get from building it for yourself.

 

[Chuck Kiser]

Ah, well that is like saying the sky is blue. Of course. But really can you give a number?
1K
5K
Something...

Yuri,

As has been said, blah, blah, blah...

Just as a point of reference these two columns. 12 hours of labor and $250.00 material. To be painted by others.

 

[mastercabman]

Based on what i see,i would estimate $16,000-$20,000 range.Hard to tell what's behind the knee wall(open cabinets? Drawers? Doors?appliances?)
Also,keep in mind that granite top,installation,lights,plumbing,etc is going to add to the cost.