All Forum Posts by: Jay M.

@Steven DAmbra  I'm not sure about that area.  You'd have to look to see if it is on town sewer.  If it's a private system with 8,000 sq. ft. I doubt you could update it.  If it passes that test it warrants further review..   I am a design / build guy.  More design (I do work for numerous contractors) than build.  I also am a licensed RE agent in MA.

Where is it and is it buildable?  I'm right up the road from you.

I will tell you two things NOT to do.  Paint the door black with a storm door and painting brick.  Both terrible from a construction / warranty perspective.

To echo @Steve Vaughan do NOT attempt to drywall yourself. If you attempt siding or roofing make sure that you understand how to flash everything so it doesn't leak. I personally wouldn't do my own roof and that is what I did in the 80's (framed / roofed / siding).  Life's too short to do that for a few dollars.  Let people that do it everyday do it.

If you install an exterior door really look into how to flash the pan / sill pan.  It seems like a lost art and I assure you 90% or more doors leak......Tiling a shower pan is another I would pass on until you have quite a bit of tiling experience.

Look on the bright side......at least it still has the wheels on it.

 Marc is correct.  Usually when a contractor throws out a really high bid because they don't want / need the work the customer almost always suffers.  If they didn't want the work because they are too busy do you think they'll jump to your overinflated budget project?  No, they'll continue to give good service to their builders / investors that give them the bulk of their work and will "fit" you in when possible and only for the inflated money....  Next!!

I would go to a local lumberyard and speak with someone at the contractor service desk if they have such an animal in your part of the country (or outside sales).  They may not know the quality of the work (due diligence on your part enters here) but they'll know the persons personality and credit worthiness......

There is probably a pump under that toilet if it's a basement.  There are toilets that have the pump built into it so a platform isn't necessary.  I don't imagine they're cheap........

$20k??  OMG, I've paid more for septic systems........And that was 20+ years ago.

Following..........just to see whose knuckles drag the lowest at the end of the thread......