All Forum Posts by: Jay M.

 It's pretty much the whole  country.  I've been in construction for 37 years and these boom times really suck to get anyone to actually do the work, or get materials delivered, or lawyers to review documents..........you get the picture. 

I would check it out after install.  I design for a builder that builds about 52+ homes a year.  You would be shocked at home many out of the box dishwashers leak.  Not much just enough to not notice it for awhile and if there is hardwood in the kitchen (especially pre-finished) it will get ruined.   I usually scoff when I hear "they don't build them like they used to"....... Certain items I don't' scoff.  DW's, W & D's etc.   They're not the same anymore.

Preach it brother ( @Account Closed)!!!! Excellent niche which I am presently trying to accomplish on the other coast....

In MA if you went for the permit you probably wouldn't be in the situation with your handyman that you find yourself in.  If you pull a permit as a homeowner they will talk you out of it and state that if you're hiring an unlicensed contractor you don't qualify for any funds from the " uninsured contractor / thief" fund if things go south. 

Even if I didn't have a license I get a permit for any work I do on my own house even if a permit isn't required.  Having a permit in the window goes a long ways.....

Remember:  There is at least one reason the "handyman" doesn't have a license / insurance.  Are those reasons really cheaper for you?

Do as @Wayne Brooks mentioned and get an elevation certificate.  I'm in an AE zone but 1.2" above BFE so my flood insurance is only $825 a year.

Originally posted by @Tony S.:

You have picked the worst 2 states to invest in the country !  Lowlife freebee states  run by ; you be the judge of that .......

Faux Entertainment watcher alert.

Bungalow Style - By Treena Crochet is a pretty good book.  I just designed a craftsman home to build for myself and I got a ton of information from just googling it on google / images and also on Houzz.  If you read the original books by Stickley and others at the turn of the last century you may get ideas on how they proposed to build.  

I am actually building the craftsman on Cape Cod home to ........cape cod style homes.   If I see another new 26' x 36' cape with a breezeway and 1 car garage I'll scream....... Absolutely no originality.

Forget about the LLC it's very difficult to get a construction loan with yourself as the GC. You mentioned that you would hire a GC yet you also mention subs giving you better prices after awhile so it sounds like the GC may or may not actually be the GC? If you plan on being the GC then you have to obtain liability and workmans comp insurance. Another soft cost that isn't pocket change not to mention licensing.

I would be worried about future liability for cleanup costs if it's determined there is fuel in the soil.

Ask him if the neighborhood looks better now than it did in the google street tour from a few years ago.  If it doesn't......You can do better.....