Help, I just paid way to much for laminate stairs in San Diego!

[Brian Nelson]

I just recently (for the first time) installed vinyl plank flooring throughout an entire 2 story rental unit.  I decided to use laminate on the stairs since I didn't care for the way the stair nose pieces looked on the vinyl (look cheap to me).  The deal was good as far as the square feet on the install goes, but then I looked at the labor costs for just the stairs.... Ouch!!  Close to $1200 on labor alone for one guy to spend a day installing.  I should become a stair installer for $1200 a day!!!  In any case, I've been left feeling like a sucker.  So... on to bigger pockets to see if there are any wise flippers/investors in the San Diego market that could refer me to a skilled finish carpenter who charges by the hour (hopefully in the realm of $15-$25/hr).  Thanks in advance, as I have another property I'm closing on in 1 week that also needs stairs!!!

Brian

[Richard C.]

$15 an hour is a construction laborer rate, not a finish carpentry rate, even in New Hampshire, never mind San Diego. I think you will need to adjust your expectations.

That said, $1200 is too high. I would have expected to pay half that.