All Forum Posts by: Luis Reis

@Linna Li,

Good morning,
You can reach at 617 955 4247 or [email protected]

As for permitting, if you are doing cosmetics renovation only...paint, floors...you won't need a permit; above that, everything else needs/must have a permit but it should be a fairly easy process as you are not doing any additions or exterior changes. If you are having layout changes you will need a simple existent plan and a proposed plan. For a full gut renovation you would need architectural plans, structural plans, HERS ratings....  feel free to go the city and talk to building inspectors, in my experience they are very helpful with homeowners, the contractor is always responsible for the permit application.

IMO you should analyse each area of the project, there are a lot of code violations in most of these old houses and once you apply for a permit to renovate a bathroom/kitchen you will have to bring everything in that area up to code, moreover, while a building inspector is in the project he has the authority to call out any code violation, specially unsafe ones.

You did mention multi-family, for three families and up, depending on what type of renovation you are doing, the city will require that you install a sprinkler system and fire alarm.

Good morning Linna Li,

My name is Luis Reis, I am a licensed general contractor. I have been gut renovating homes in the Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington and Watertown areas for the last 7 years. I have a small team and a network of sub-contractors and also architects. Please let me know if I can be of help. DM if interested. 

@Matt A. - Here in massachusetts, a licensed general contractor will apply for the building permit, his subs will apply for their permits under his. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC, fire alarm, sprinklers, and utilities all have to file. Everything else falls under the contractor's building permit and it is the contractor's best interest to make sure they do get their permits, the lack of it will cause delays or stop work orders on their projects.

I would never recommend doing any type of major reno without a permit.

@Tanzim Seraj Congratulations! You jumped in and now you scared out your mind, take a breather and look at things logically. You came to the right place, you'll find a lot of people willing to help here. 

Now, go to YouTube type/search the problems you are finding in your new investment and educate yourself, you will find a lot of good information to help you talk to your future contractors and your handyman.

@Greg Scott is right, bring in more contractors, spend another $500 to $600 on a different home inspector, or find a friend or a relative that knows someone in the construction industry and is willing help.

You did mention a handyman, I see a pair of new wires in one of the photos. Careful with electrical repairs, a bad repair can be costlier than an old install. When you are ready bring in a experienced licensed contractor.

In my opinion, finding and fixing the water penetration points is you priority, it won't cost you a lot. Water penetration can cause of lot unexpected expenses.

An aged roof is not a problem as long it isn't leaking, bring in a professional roofer, he would be able to easy you mind about it, even if it looks aged, you may still have some time before you need to change it.

Do check to be sure but, siding seems to be the least of your concerns, you don't have to change the whole siding because of a few pieces. I bet @Theresa Harris is right, specially under what it seems to be a front porch either a BBQ Grill on a rainy/snowy day or tight nails.

On wall sheathing(plywood behind walls), I find hard to believe that a siding done in 2018 would not have sheathing, you may be missing pieces here and there. Get more quotes, talk to more siding people, as many as you need. 

Slow down, breathe, educate yourself, don't be afraid to bring additional people in until you find direct and honest answers.

Make sure to use licensed professionals and that they are pulling the permits, at this point with your lack of experience a building inspector is good friend to have.
   

@Cory Pruyn, 

I'd say go for it. 

I would suggest finding a partner or hire a project manager with building experience. They would help bid projects correctly, weed out bad sub-contractors and bring in their network of suppliers and subs. With your experience in customer service and transparency running the business you would find yourself in a decent position to win a chunk of your local market. 

If you go out there without experience and without a network of subs you will get burn quickly. I've seen a lot of people start off with good intentions and the right ideas get burned because of the lack of experience in building methods, Estimating and bidding.

@Eddie Fleckenstein

I agree with @Michael Gessner, make sure that the fan is the correct size for the space, improve your exhaust fan some of them are just not good enough. Check for obstruction on your duct and believe or not, check if the duct is properly connected outside.

Next time you paint, use a decent primer and a very good paint, the sheen is also important, stay away from flat, use satin at a minimum and if you can stand the "in your face shine" use semi-gloss.

I have also use Tile but, I am not going there...I can already see people cringing out there.