Skills and Lessons learned from Rehab number 2.

[Robin Grimes]

Here are the skills and lessons I learned during the rehab of my second rental.
1. If the property has been vacant for over a year and still has fleas, there may be a raccoon living up inside the fireplace. (I can now add “roping and releasing a raccoon†to my list of skills)
2. Just pay the $80 to have the fleas professionally exterminated. I spent $50 plus trying foggers and sprays with no success. Should have just hired the professional to start with.
3. If you putting in Laminate flooring for the first time, laying 200 sq ft before realizing you forgot the moisture barrier does not make a productive day. (Yes, I pulled it up and started over.)
4. DO NOT put Laminate on the stairs. I did it and it turned out beautiful. But it took a huge amount of material. The step is about 9 inches wide and the material is 7.5 inches. So I had to cut 1.5 inch strips, with the locking groove, off full boards. Rest of board was trash since it didn’t have the groove.
5. Laminate suppliers quote the price of transitions by the foot but only sell 7.5ft sticks and transition pieces are very expensive.
6. When you turn the water on for the first time…. Don’t walk, RUN inside and check everywhere for leaks or open valves. I found the washer connections wide open after turning on the water. I’ll check those before turning it on next time.
7. Wondering why prior owners took oven racks with them, won’t solve the problem. I learned oven racks are not standardized like the coils on top. You have to order oven racks based on the model and they cost $82.50 each. (I decided one rack was plenty, who really uses both racks anyway.)
8. If you’re very, very nice to the secretary of the Home Owners Association, she will rush through an approval so your roofers can start on the day they are scheduled.
9. You can advertise anything for free on craigslist and there will be multiple people who want it. (really old Jacuzzi in back yard and ugly front door with many coats of paint)
Rental #2 is complete and tenants are moved in.

So what are some of the Rehab lessons you've learned?