All Forum Posts by: Jay M.

A previous poster was correct that as the homeowner you can pull a permit for renovations.  They will try to talk you out of it at the counter of the building department.  They will warn you that if you're pulling the permit because you're hiring an unlicensed contractor you will NOT be able to submit a claim to the state pool if your contractor walks / rips you off.  

I can't speak about the plumbing / electric but as far as the carpentry / building code issues is if you touch it you own it.  If there are winders built before the 1980's and you want to update them you'll have to reconfigure as the code was different and winders need 6" of flat at every point.

Hire someone.  You've heard of the saying penny wise, pound foolish?  Teaching yourself how to design / draft and then teaching yourself how to use the software is penny wise 100 ton foolish.......

Check the flood insurance rates.  If it's in a AE or VE zone I think the rate will tell you all you need to know to make a decision.  If it's in one of the above zones you may need an elevation certificate as well.  The price will vary by the elevation even in the same wind zone.

Make sure they quoted to strip shingles off before putting new ones on.  Some will go over (hack job)......... Otherwise they're probably not quoting apples to apples with the other contractors.  Look at each line like how much water and ice shield is used.  Some will only do the valleys while others will quote the eaves and rakes as well.  Make sure they all include permits and dumpster as well. 

 Have them leave at least 1 bundle of shingles so you have some for repairs and also will have the shingle manufacturer / color.  Make sure they are replacing every plumbing boot.  If you have skylights you should think about replacing them at the same time.

I have thought of it and am actively in pursuit of it.  I intend on building a spec house and if it doesn't sell immediately I'll have a tenant move in.  It's difficult to get the numbers to work in my area but it is possible.  I think it's more difficult to find a flip that you can actually make money on in my area.

Engineer, civil engineer.  The surveyor works in conjunction with the engineer, usually in the same office.

Check your state requirements to become an appraiser.  For example in MA you need a bachelors degree to qualify (among of course the real estate req.'s) for the test.

They have a saying........."they don't build 'em like they used to".......

Retort:..........Yeah, they have these new fangled things called "building codes" and "energy codes"...

If there is a poll about whether we see anything unethical as described in the first post.........add me to the Sgt. Shultz side of the ledger.......I see nothing....

 I suppose it could be a typical pipe that looks exactly like a column right down to the color but.......Why would a pipe have those two perfectly drilled holes in them?  Piped are usually for carrying water / waste correct?..   36+ years of construction / design experience I'm guessing column collapsed.....I could be wrong, I could be right.......