And now a question about concrete decking (and putting greens too).
As I said, PB#1's original bid included 1,650 sq ft of "salt finish" concrete decking. We didn't specify any particular decking material... just that we didn't want stamped concrete. Anyway, when the rendering appeared with concrete that matched our driveway, walkway, patio, etc. I was thinking, "Great! This should keep the price down!" Boy was I wrong! They want $10.50 / sq ft for basic concrete! That's over $17k for the concrete deck!
I did some checking and Google says, 4" concrete pool decks in the DFW area should cost anywhere from $4 - $5 sq ft. I found another thread here on the forum where somebody in DFW paid $2.62 / sq ft for salt finish concrete.
So I brought this up with PB#1 and he mumbled some reason why their concrete was more than average. Honestly, I don't remember what he said and didn't buy it anyway. I told him my brother paid $7 / sq ft for travertine pavers a few years ago in Phoenix (true story). To my surprise when he sent us the new renderings and revised quote yesterday he had added pavers for the same price as his previously inflated concrete.
I asked the other PB's right up front what they charge for salt finish concrete and one said $8 and the other said $8.50. Still seems high, but better than $10.50. Honestly, this little experiment makes me wonder how bad I'm being gouged for materials that's AREN'T as easy to look up on Google.
The putting green is $6000 for 300 sq ft. $20 / sq ft seems a bit pricey. I wonder if this is one of those deals where the PB is outsourced it to a putting green company who charges $10 / sq ft and then marking it up. As the putting green seems easy to separate from the rest of the project I'm beginning to look for my own quotes. Maybe we will add this after the rest is complete.
Finally, the 19x20 cabana is $19,500. That's almost $47 / sq ft. That's nuts considering it's just a roof with no walls, flooring, or plumbing! It included an electric package, but I have to provide the ceiling fans.
So my question for you guys is... is it appropriate to keep pressuring PB#1 on these seemingly high prices, or do you think I'm likely to see more competitive pricing from PB#2, 3, and 4...?