Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 5 votes
We found out we need to rebuild a parapet wall on a 4 plex in Denver. We've done a few masonry repairs before but nothing like this. The house next door is close so we have to use the roof of the homeowner next door. The quote I got was 25K. That's right. 25 thousand dollars. I was in sticker shock but I really need these repairs done. I got other quotes and some of quotes wouldn't even touch the project. One quote was 13k but wouldn't do all of it because of access. Do I just bite the bullet and pay this crazy amount? The whole thing should take a week or so. 25k just seems like a lot.
Real Estate Broker · Portland, OR · Member since 2019 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6y
So is this for a URM (unreinforced masonry) building?
We have that in Portland if you want to re-roof a building with URM and parapets. Problem is that if you don't upkeep the mortar, it starts to dissolve and becomes almost a tear-down rebuild deal.
I'm assuming if you're getting worse quotes, then you're stuck.
Lakewood, CO · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 1 vote
6y
Cameron, how old is the house? If you get a handyman to work by the hour, be cheaper, he might end up with mortar that is stronger than the brick. And that will cause the brick to become the sacrificial material instead of the mortar. Older brick or soft. So the mortar Needs to be softer. How many stories single story to story three story? You don’t mention how many linear feet, or its height, or if it is a 2 or 3 wythe wall. Can it be tuck pointed? Or a rebuild? Is the brick damaged-and some need replacing? If you have gone through the permitting process in Denver, you know that brain ache is worth a couple grand. Will they need to go to Mendoza’s to purchase additional Old brick? Anyway, lots of factors.
Cameron, how old is the house? If you get a handyman to work by the hour, be cheaper, he might end up with mortar that is stronger than the brick. And that will cause the brick to become the sacrificial material instead of the mortar. Older brick or soft. So the mortar Needs to be softer. How many stories single story to story three story? You don’t mention how many linear feet, or its height, or if it is a 2 or 3 wythe wall. Can it be tuck pointed? Or a rebuild? Is the brick damaged-and some need replacing? If you have gone through the permitting process in Denver, you know that brain ache is worth a couple grand. Will they need to go to Mendoza’s to purchase additional Old brick? Anyway, lots of factors.
The brick is 1890 original brick. The house next door is like 2 feet away so they have to access via the neighbors wall.