Why won't my contractor give me a total project estimate?

This is a massive red flag and definatly not standard practice for a professional door installation or framing job. Any contractor worth their salt can estimate the lumber package for a loft conversion in about twenty minutes. We're talking about some 2x4s, headers, drywall, and trim. If he claims it takes him 'hours' to figure out a material list for a single wall and a door, he either doesn't know what he's doing or he's trying to hide a massive markup. Demanding a 50% labor deposit upfront is another huge warning sign. In the trades, a deposit that high usually means the guy is living job-to-job and using your money to finish the previous client's project. A typical arrangement is 10-20% to get on the schedule, or just paying for the **materials delivery** directly to the house so you own the lumber if he disappears. You should never hand over half the labor cost before a single stud is nailed into place. Since you alredy picked out a solid-core door, you've done half the work for him. Solid-core doors are heavy and require specific framing—usually triple hinges and a beefier rough opening—and if he won't commit to a price, he might hit you with 'unforeseen' costs later when he realizes he needs more structural support. An open-ended budget on a small interior renovation is a recipe for getting fleeced.

I’d suggest getting at least two more bids from people who provide a **fixed-price contract**. A real professional will give you a quote that includes an allowance for materials or a flat total. If they can't tell you what it costs to build a simple wall and hang a door before you sign, walk away. There are plenty of guys out there who can do this work without the weird gatekeeping on pricing.

Totally agree with the above. No pro struggles to quote a simple loft partition. One specific thing to watch for since you mentioned it's a solid-core door: if he isn't giving you a material list, he might also be planning to use cheap, thin contractor-grade jambs. For a heavy solid-core slab, you really need to ensure he's quoting for 5/4" thick jambs or at least solid wood framing to prevent the hinges from sagging over time. If he won't put that in writing now, he'll definitely cut corners on the structural support once he has your deposit.

Listen to these guys. Back in the day, we’d scratch out a material list on a scrap of 2x4 and have the yard deliver it before the coffee got cold. If he's stalling on a simple quote, he’s probably hiding the fact he doesn’t know how to shim a heavy solid-core properly. You start that job without a fixed number and you'll be paying for his 'learning curve' every time he trips over the threshold. I’ve seen plenty of 'labor only' types leave a door sagging within six months because they skimped on the backing. Cut him loose and find a guy who still keeps a proper estimate book.