All Forum Posts by: Daniel Alfandre

@Aaron McGinnis Thanks for your insights on take-off software.  Did you end up switching over to Square?  If so, do you think it's better than Planswift?

@Ken Chud Thanks for the insights. I went ahead with a BRHP tenant after carefully screening for job history, confirming current job with employer, credit history, etc. and have gotten rent every month.  I make quarterly maintenance checks and the property is still in great condition after the tenant occupied it over two years ago.  It's been working out well for me and I think those two things - careful screening and quarterly visits increase the likelihood of rent coming in and the place staying in good shape.

@Mike Smith @Bruce Woodruff What do you all think of paying a few hundred bucks to professional take-off/estimating service?  Any experience doing that?

This is for building a new house.

I'm thinking that I will accept/sign the subs' proposal and create a scope of work/specifications I want them to sign.  Is this the typical way of doing things or are there other methods you all have used that work to make sure the subs do what you want them to do.  Thanks.

@Matt Geerts Interesting way to solve the noise problem with concrete floor separation. I'm assuming the second floor deck was poured in concrete, correct?  If so, did the first floor walls need to be concrete?  Do you have a ballpark of difference in cost if you didn't put in the concrete floor separation?

@Mike Smith What about plumbing, elect fixtures (toilets, sinks, lights, etc.)?  Do you let them provide those?  I've also thought about the option of taking the house plans to a flooring or paint supplier and ask them to do the take-offs and supply those materials.  What are your thoughts on that?

I'm going to build a house.  When I worked as a construction manager for a homebuilder several years ago, we ordered the lumber, windows, doors, stairs/railings, garage doors, trim, cabinets, lighting, appliances, vanities, floors, paint, and other finishes.   We let the mechanicals (elec, plumbing, HVAC) provide the wires, tubes, duct, etc. for the rough-in stuff.  Any other material-management approaches anyone's taken that works well?

I am managing the construction of a house on an investment property my parents own. They said they would pay me a fee and split some of the sales profits with me. Any tax savings I can get on this type of relationship/structure? Thanks.

I am managing the construction of a house on an investment property my parents own. They said they would pay me a fee and split some of the sales profits with me. Any tax savings I can get on this type of relationship/structure? Thanks.