All Forum Posts by: Alfred Edmonds

While I agree that the tenant should have noticed, it is reasonable for them to assume the property is safe. structural safety is never the responsibility of a renter. Years ago a family member of mine had a woman fall off a deck and die at a party. this was their primary residence but while being sued they argued that the guest shouldn't have been out there. The deck had under code safety railings. guess who lost big?

While I agree that the tenant should have noticed, it is reasonable for them to assume the property is safe. structural safety is never the responsibility of a renter. Years ago a family member of mine had a woman fall off a deck and die at a party. this was their primary residence but while being sued they argued that the guest shouldn't have been out there. The deck had under code safety railings. guess who lost big?

edit: popular opinion, not post.

I would agree that if it's on the register stay away! on a side note, it looks like someone already butchered the interior as I see no trace of history there which (probably not a post opinion around here) is a shame. for a first project or really any flip I would stay away from historic homes

everybody has to make money. whether it is a % of total job or flat fee, a contractor is gonna make their money. It is standard practice to charge 10-20% of total job for profit and overhead.

a general contractor. one with a good reputation. I guess what I'm saying is don't lead with the chin. in other words, let them determine what the problem is which will require someone who is seasoned and thorough. Some guys will do what you think you need if it will cost more than just a simple floor repair. You may well need foundation work but that floor buckled either due to water or bad installation or a combination of both. the remedy for the floor would likely be the same either way. If you trust the seconds guy who gave solutions to the floor then ask him more questions. I'm just always wary of homeowner diagnostics leading to unnecessary work, and I'm a contractor myself!

I agree with @Mike Reynolds that it may be expansion from water and not foundation at all. call a contractor to look at the floor without mentioning foundation and see what they think.

exact same happened on a job I was on the other day. like Charlie said, they have insurance and that's what it's for. also, sheetrock and plaster are vastly different with plaster being more of an art. If it's plaster, repair with plaster. it's gonna cost more but not your problem

@Mindy Jensen Due Diligence

Don't know about Michigan specifically but in Massachusetts that's illegal. I don't have my code book in front of me but I seem to remember it being illegal nationally. I could look it up but I just woke up!