Need plumbing advice on rental rehab units

[Danielle Morrow]

Last year I was approached by a gentleman that had purchased a low income 3 family house occupied by a low income disgusting families. Before I took on the building, there was 8 feet of garbage alone in the back yard. Poor guy got sold a bill of goods and got the house for $32,000.00 CASH which in this area is a decent chunk of change. The guys life savings. Anyway - The copper was robbed out of the walls and the basement. As a property manager now I obviously see that I have some plumbing work to do - but I am running into a few problems.

1.) The city actually requires you to have inspectors come in and approve the property - because it has been vacant for 3 years and now lost it's Certificate of Occupancy - I have an idea of what it is going to take, but from the windows to the walls to the fixtures, switches, plumbing - the works needs to be repaired and I need to do the labor to cut back on labor cost. I don't want to hire a contractor if I can do it myself!!!

2.) I am on a budget - An Itty Bitty Budget. I am doing what I can with what I have. I need to find out what the most cost efficient way to do the plumbing. The city hasn't upgraded to PVC yet and demands Copper. Pex, CPVC it's all no good. I am stuck with copper - which obviously will really cost me. I have seen it in the straight lengths and the coil, but should I use? Also what is the best way to go when running... 3/4" ID. or 1/2"ID...Does size matter in regards to each floor (3 total)? Like I said before the original copper was robbed so I have to replace ALL the pipes in the building. :cry:

If anyone has any pointers, I am all ears. I am looking for the most cost efficient ways to do things, but I don't want to keep having to repair stuff either.

[Jon Holdman]

In many areas, you must be a licensed plumber to do any plumbing. Some locations have exceptions if you are the owner AND occupy the property. Check with your building department before you start the work.

Code covers what size to use for what application. For single family, 3/4" nominal is typically used for distribution lines with 1/2" nominal to most fixtures.

I recommend getting bids from multiple plumbers.