All Forum Posts by: Ed Hoffmann

That concrete is a layer to "level" the floors. Fixing this is not a big deal. More than likely the joists are still good, the subfloor has probably started to rot. The area in question needs to be removed and the subfloor taken out to inspect the joists. Maybe 4 sheets of ply and a few bags of self leveling concrete. Depending on where you live it might be about $2500 unless the water issue has not been fixed and it is further away from where the floor is cracking. Worst case would be removing more floor until the water leak is found. Most leaks are not where the water is leaking it is uphill from there. You did say master bathroom. Could be plumbing off the sink , a bad solder joint off the toilet or a bad valve on the shower. If you have a way to turn off the water to the unit, turn it off and look to see if the water meter is still turning. Then you know you have a problem. If the meter is not turning you do not have a broken pipe or a bad solder pipe joint.  My best guess then would be the shower valve or the tub drain. You can buy a cap for the shower head and turn the water on. If the meter is spinning your valve is leaking into the wall. If that test also shows the meter not turning the problem is more than likely the tub drain. Hope this helps. 

Any work done with a contractor without a permit could turn into a disaster. Any visible changes can be permitted after the fact but the homeowner now has to pay the fees. If the home was upgraded with new electrical and HVAC systems and new plumbing, the inspector could literally ask the home owner to open the walls where ever he can't see the work. Any walls removed or added also need to be seen to make sure all hold downs and proper anchors were used. Small changes on a flip can be non permitted like removing a pony wall or moving a closet. The costs of permits are much less before than after.  I guess the best question is why is the contractor so adamant about not pulling a permit? Unless his license is expired or revoked why would he even be against pulling permits? 

Some serious questions you need to consider.

Can the builder pay all his guys? 

Can the builder support no  income for 6 months building this property? 

Have you searched his license on the contractors board? 

Flipping houses is a job. Buying a house and fixing it and waiting for a year or 2 to purchase another one is investing. I am a GC and do my own work.  The costs of goods right now is crazy , You would be better off looking for a cosmetic ugly home with good bones.