I was quoted $300 
plus GST to replace a cutlery drawer. This is an older style build in the 1993 period. Because of its older style, I can't go to Bunnings to buy a replacement because of the placement of sliding tracks. Any comments will be welcomed.
The tenants had unfortunately thrown away the front of the drawer, hence a complete rebuild is required.
$300 seems a bit steep. Is it just basically a wooden/chipboard box with the rails down the side?
Pics needed, that sounds unbelievable, unless it's stainless steel and fully stocked!
Well the dude has to come to yours, measure, go back to the workshop, make it, then come back to fit it.
I would say 7 hours + materials.
How much do you earn per hour??
$300 for a pain in the arse, fiddly job that he probably doesn't even want seems fair.
Depending on materials, 7 hours is very generous for a competent cabinet maker, especially to simply match an existing drawer. But without proper details, we are all just guessing. For mine, without knowing materials and the state of the drawer being fixed/rebuilt, I'd be doing further enquiries if given a quote of $300. Also, sounds like in a rental, so howd it break? Is more needing fixing soon? Does that quote include other elements not stated... In which case, potentially quite fair.
So sick of that attitude Chris, if someone doesn't want the job, don't quote. No wonder simple things in this country are so expensive and all our money leaves the county via Ipea and other such conglomerates.
I'm not on the tools Cal, but as a customer if I needed a little job like that done I'd expect to pay for it. It's is a fiddly, little job and unless it's a perfect match you run the risk of a dissasitisfied customer that won't pay up at the other end.
Select to expand quoteCal said..
Pics needed, that sounds unbelievable, unless it's stainless steel and fully stocked!
My deepest apologies, Cal. I am having much difficulties attaching a picture. My Internet connection is slow but still useable. Unfortunately, when I tried to attach a picture, even resized to a small one, resulted in a total drop-out 
Is there a way to attach a picture here ?
To answer your question, it is just a standard wooden chip-board structure. I was led to believe that the newer style of drawers are not compatible with it as the sliders are in the wrong place.
Select to expand quoteChris6791 said..
$300 for a pain in the arse, fiddly job that he probably doesn't even want seems fair.
Australia is called a "Lucky Country" for nothing. Unemployment? What are you talking about ?
Being a qualified cabinetmaker , I would say that a cabinet made of melamine ( chipboard), to fit in the existing, some draw runners , and a new set of fronts,
all to be made to fit the existing opening (like a slide in box ), $ 300 sound alright to me.
Select to expand quoteCassa said..
Being a qualified cabinetmaker , I would say that a cabinet made of melamine ( chipboard), to fit in the existing, some draw runners , and a new set of fronts,
all to be made to fit the existing opening (like a slide in box ), $ 300 sound alright to me.
Hello Cassa,
Is there a way to customize a manufactured unit from places like Bunnings ?
Select to expand quoteCal said..
You sound like a great customer Chris, need anything done?
Not yet, but I'll keep you in mind when I build my house. You can probably put enough fat in the quote to pay for flights
Select to expand quoteCal said..
Pics needed, that sounds unbelievable, unless it's stainless steel and fully stocked!
Cal,
Just discovered how to add images. Here it is ...
he has to match the colour of the laminate / paint whatever it is . and find / buy material to suit then fabricate
so your getting a bargain , stop grizzling !
Was there grizzling SandS? Sounded like someone that really doesnt know. As has been stated, it may be fair, it may be cheap or it may be over, depends on more than we know but what's wrong with someone asking. Happens here all the time.
Select to expand quoteChris6791 said..Cal said..
You sound like a great customer Chris, need anything done?
Not yet, but I'll keep you in mind when I build my house. You can probably put enough fat in the quote to pay for flights
Anything is possible , just need the know how to do it.
Select to expand quoteCal said..
Was there grizzling SandS? Sounded like someone that really doesnt know. As has been stated, it may be fair, it may be cheap or it may be over, depends on more than we know but what's wrong with someone asking. Happens here all the time.
Thank you, Cal.
I thought it is a good idea to suss out the general "fair" price to get something done. Judging by some of the responses, it appears there must be some beach loving folks here with very deep pockets who are prepared to pay whatever asked.
I hope some of them are not tradies with attitudes 
For your information, I found someone who will do it for $250, and he is belonged to a Cabinet Maker Association too 
Select to expand quoteJupiter said...Cal said..
Pics needed, that sounds unbelievable, unless it's stainless steel and fully stocked!
Cal,
Just discovered how to add images. Here it is ...
Going by the minimal gap between the drawer side and carcass, I'd say that is one of the old 'vinyl-wrap around' drawers with a nylon guide. New drawer slides need 12.5-13mm clearance each side. I'm also a joiner with many years owning my own business and never have charged full price for a small job like that one and used to do it for about half of that...probably why I was always busy.
You can still buy those drawers and some hardware stores might stock them as they were standard sizes (being a cutlery drawer unit, probably a 450mm).
Select to expand quoteJupiter said..Cal said..
Was there grizzling SandS? Sounded like someone that really doesnt know. As has been stated, it may be fair, it may be cheap or it may be over, depends on more than we know but what's wrong with someone asking. Happens here all the time.
Thank you, Cal.
I thought it is a good idea to suss out the general "fair" price to get something done. Judging by some of the responses, it appears there must be some beach loving folks here with very deep pockets who are prepared to pay whatever asked.
I hope some of them are not tradies with attitudes For your information, I found someone who will do it for $250, and he is belonged to a Cabinet Maker Association too
Well done Jupiter ! He must have that colour laminate just by chance . Or he is willing to do it for goodwill . If its painted he will do his nuts for sure .
Good luck with your attitude as well . It can be a struggle !
You said you are only missing the front? I don't get why you are chasing a whole drawer? Just bung a bit of mdf on the front and apply laminex?
Plenty of options even if you need a whole one
Buy Ikea draw, fit same tracks.
Size wrong for modern ones? Try salvage places. I'd almost guarantee you could get it for free thru to $20 if you try hard enough
buy Laminex to match (not hard to glue on) and re-use the same tracks.
Just move one of the draws up from bottom, make the bottom one a double height for pots etc,
By the way, how much rent per week do you get ?
And don't forget to calm the cost on your tax.
Oh the joys of making money from your investment, lucky
edit
Re Ikea
Why IKEA Australia's $1 billion in profits are mostly tax-free
Read more: www.smh.com.au/business/companies/why-ikea-australias-1-billion-in-profits-are-mostly-taxfree-20141106-11hlut.html
seems about right for unskilled labour in australia. Its a rental mate stick a bit of pine across it who gaf. Or just bill the pervious tennants thats how it works. Houses in general on rentals are **** Its the land not the house that makes money .. After 20 years of interest and refurbishing the damage done buy tenants your probably better sticking you money into a long term savings.Unless the price of land increases, the only people making money out of rentals atm (in WA) is the bank. !i.e after 5 years place needs new carpet paint etc. Add that to the primary interest and your probably running at a loss. `300 buck for a cuttlery draw!! go **** yourself.
Not in boom times anymore. Funny how all them people are financially struggling now Were telling me 4 years ago in a boom many houses they had ticked on their false economy equity and how rich they were. !
Select to expand quoteSailhack said..
Going by the minimal gap between the drawer side and carcass, I'd say that is one of the old 'vinyl-wrap around' drawers with a nylon guide. New drawer slides need 12.5-13mm clearance each side. I'm also a joiner with many years owning my own business and never have charged full price for a small job like that one and used to do it for about half of that...probably why I was always busy.
You can still buy those drawers and some hardware stores might stock them as they were standard sizes (being a cutlery drawer unit, probably a 450mm).
Several fingers ago I made umpteen gazillion drawers using the vinyl wrap sides.
Then a few years later, I was working on rental houses around South Perth, Kensington, Como - fixing the things that tenants had destroyed.
Biggest problem with these drawers, is the front is only held on by 3 x 8mm dowels each side.
Load the drawer up with cutlery [or any decent weight] close it hard and the loaded drawer wants to keep travelling back - while the drawer front wants to stop - so the front gets torn off.
When you assemble the new drawer - lots of decent glue on the dowels, and on all the joining faces, and in the groove that the base is located in.
Secure a padded block behind the drawers to limit the rearward travel.
If you have the remains of the old drawer - it can often be repaired, or used as a template.
"Generally", all the drawers are identical - so as long as they were made properly in the first place, any drawer is a template for a replacement.,
stephen
Select to expand quotesn said..Sailhack said..
Going by the minimal gap between the drawer side and carcass, I'd say that is one of the old 'vinyl-wrap around' drawers with a nylon guide. New drawer slides need 12.5-13mm clearance each side. I'm also a joiner with many years owning my own business and never have charged full price for a small job like that one and used to do it for about half of that...probably why I was always busy.
You can still buy those drawers and some hardware stores might stock them as they were standard sizes (being a cutlery drawer unit, probably a 450mm).
Several fingers ago I made umpteen gazillion drawers using the vinyl wrap sides.
Then a few years later, I was working on rental houses around South Perth, Kensington, Como - fixing the things that tenants had destroyed.
Biggest problem with these drawers, is the front is only held on by 3 x 8mm dowels each side.
Load the drawer up with cutlery [or any decent weight] close it hard and the loaded drawer wants to keep travelling back - while the drawer front wants to stop - so the front gets torn off.
When you assemble the new drawer - lots of decent glue on the dowels, and on all the joining faces, and in the groove that the base is located in.
Secure a padded block behind the drawers to limit the rearward travel.
If you have the remains of the old drawer - it can often be repaired, or used as a template.
"Generally", all the drawers are identical - so as long as they were made properly in the first place, any drawer is a template for a replacement.,
stephen
Thank you very much Sailhack and sn for your informed advice. Being having hands-on experience beat many of those whose contribution count for nothing.
I have a cabinet maker to look at it tomorrow. Hopefully all turns out well.
