All Forum Posts by: Scott C.

The contractor is, most likely, using a sealant. The terms waterproofing and sealant are often interchanged with each other but there are differences, which do not need to be explain at this time. 

Any sealant will need to be re-applied every year are two depending on the severity of your winters. It also will, probably, not protect against effects snow salt (rock salt). I would find out exactly what product he suggests and do some research to determine maintenance requirements and how often it would need to be re-coated.

All of the manufactures you listed have a commercial and contemporary lines available.

@Manolo D. I agree the law is a joke. The original intention was to protect consumers from open ended contracts, such as T&M, and stated that the consumer had a right to know what the total cost of a project would be before any work began. There are provisions for hidden conditions, but it was definitely written for the consumer and not the contractor. There is a lot more to the law I just pointed out the basics concerning T&M.

I my opinion a legitimate contractor would have no problems supplying a full estimate. Also, Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection ACT (HICPA) has specific requirements for T&M Projects.

I don't want to hijack the thread but here is general info on HICPA

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Consumers/Home_Imp...

The amendment also provides for

It sounds to me that the contractor did exactly what you asked him do, He gave a time frame for each room and a cost per day: "My contractor says he charges $1000 a day for a crew of three plus materials of my picking. He gave me general # of day estimates room by room."

You didn't any details about the house (location, # of rooms, etc.) but Bangor, Pa is in the Pocono's and that area can be expensive to work in.  And I agree with @Rick Bevilacqua, a legitimate contractor with worker's comp and a crew of 3 could easily cost $1000/day. There is a lot more to his labor burden then just what he pays his employees / hour.

If you just using his numbers to analyze the property and you think he is high; use it as starting point or find smaller outfit to estimate the job. Do yourself and favor and get J Scott's book on estimating rehab costs.

I see it as a permanent increase to the personal income and sales tax and a temporary cut to the property tax. All he is doing is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The recent home sales in the area, whether they have been renovated or not, should be your basis for your ARV. If you renovate to value above the current market, you will be holding on the home longer then you want.

Thank you to everyone that has posted. As it is right now, I don't have any extra  requirements imposed by state or local governments beyond the RRP regulation.

@Beth L. @Colleen F.  Thanks for comments. I am very familiar with having to register rental units and the RRP regulations but certification for lead paint for the rental unit is a new for me. In addition the re-certification during at each turnover seems excessive. How does your local authority monitor the turnover? Also, if you were totally rehab to rental unit and have the lead paint removed and certified lead free would you still be required to test at turnover due to the age of the building? I know this is coming to some of rentals in the "wonderful" state of NY. I want to understand how others investors deal with these issues.

I came across this story today on the Journal of Light Construction website, 

http://www.jlconline.com/leadsafe-practices/storm-...

What are your thoughts concerning this development?

Do think other states will follow Maryland lead, if so when?