COVID-19 is killing my progress on my flip

[Erica Redcross]

I bought my first flip in November.  I will be doing extensive renovations (knew this before I closed), and worked with a designer to complete construction drawings.  This took a bit of time and I had to wait for this to be completed before I could apply for the permits.  Unfortunately, the town that I purchased in is extremely backlogged, and it took 5 weeks to get zoning and building permits.  I had the asbestos abatement done while I was waiting.  I couldn't get the electrical permit issued until the building permit was issued.  I was communicating with the electrical contractor but they couldn't schedule me in until they knew when the building permit would be issued.  I stayed on top of it and as soon as the building permit was issued, I connected with the electrical contractor and kicked that off immediately.  I needed a temporary power pole to be installed so that I could start the demo of the roof and 2nd story.  The day after the electrical permit was issued, our governor issued the shelter in place order.  While the electrician still proceeded with installing the pole and the cabinet for the meter, the town will not send the inspector to complete the inspection so that the power company can disconnect the power from the house and install the meter, and the electrician can connect to the power pole.  Without this, my contractor can't start the demo.  Even if the town does send the inspector for this, I would need another inspection after the demo was completed before the contractor could start framing.  I am at a total standstill until they resume inspections, and it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon.  In the meantime, I will have to keep paying the interest payments on the hard money loan.  Anyone else out there in the same position?  Anyone have suggestions on what to do while I'm waiting?

[John Warren]

@Erica Redcross sometimes it is better to ask forgiveness than permission with construction... Maybe get your project moving, especially if you selected subs that are "in" with the local town. This is an unprecedented time, and I would imagine that the most they would give you is a stern talking to as long as you are using quality subs.