All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

How long should you wait after applying a coat of kilz on concrete subfloor to install laminate flooring?

Hey everyone,

Once again I find myself in a situation where I think I am being ripped off and could do a certain job much more cheaply on my own.    As I might have mentioned before, I recently acquired a multi-unit rental property, and the (former) tenants living in one had no concept of personal hygiene.  When the deal closed, the kitchen ran rampant with roaches, the carpets were filthy, and the place just had a musty, roach-y smell throughout.

The carpets are ripped out and most of the roaches are gone now.  I'm dealing with three challenges: 1) roach residue in the kitchen cabinets 2) floor under the carpet is kinda gross 3) still not the best smell in the unit

I contacted a company about what they would do and they wanted $150 for just an inspection and estimated treating the place (cleaning all surfaces, ozone machine, etc.) would cost thousands.  Yeah, not happening.  Here is my plan to clean the place and get rid of smell - anything else you would recommend doing?

Kitchen: clean and scrub cabinets with water/ammonia/vinegar/baking soda solution.  Second scrup with lysol spray.  Caulk all cracks in floors, cabinets, etc.  Will ultimately replace cabinets next year

Rooms:  Paint over walls, remove popcorn ceiling.  Planning to put laminate in for the floor.  Would you recommend doing anything before doing the flooring (see pictures attached)?

Thanks all, as always, for sharing your insight!  The handyman is not so much a handyman, more of a subcontractor that mostly does bathroom remodels.  He has done tens if not hundreds of jobs like this.  My main concern was he wasn't licensed for plumbing.  After your input, getting bids from licensed plumbers, and learning a little more about this guy's background I am sticking with him.

The first plumber bid me $3k for the job.  The next bid me $1k for the exact same work.  At that point I called the third one and cancelled his appointment.  I think "robbing me with my eyes" open is a good way to put it Kadeem!  Contractor is going to do the tub plus the tiling for less than 4k altogether so I think I will go with that option to save my money

Hey everyone,

I'm in the middle of renovating a bathroom in a rental unit and am having a hard time deciding whether to hire a plumber for installing the new bathtub.  I currently have a contractor re-doing the tub along with wall tiling, and he is good but unlicensed.  A plumber that came out quoted me $3k for installing the tub alone, which is close to what the contractor is charging me for everything.  Would you feel comfortable relying on a good contractor or handyman to install a tub or do you always go to the professionals?  The unit is 1 story, concrete slab foundation.  Pictures attached.  Looks like some of the wood around the tub might need replacement or reinforcement but am not sure.

Thanks

Good riddance.  It hurts my head that some people are ok living like that.  I don't think mine is *quite* that bad although it is certainly not livable currently.  They seem to be concentrated in the kitchen, and swarm out of one cabinet in particular when you disturb it.  We set off bug bombs 2 weeks ago and just did again a few days ago.  I'm laying roach traps this week.  Next I'm going to have a pest control company come out this week to inspect and spray, and then fumigation.

Luckily the unit is standalone.  No AC so no vents.

One of the units I recently closed on is in need of some touch up work.  It is now vacant, but the previous tenants lived there for over a decade and had no concept of personal hygiene.  I don't think they ever bothered cleaning the place during their time living in it.  That said, the carpets are filthy, cockroaches are running rampant, there are probably fleas due to a pet, and I'm concerned about bedbugs.  The place also smells bad.  I plan to do the following:

*Rip out and replace carpets
*Cockroach treatment (spray along baseboards)
*Fumigation to take care of any other pests
*Wash / wipe down the walls
*Deep clean by maid service

Do you think this is sufficient to make the place live-able again?  Could it be necessary to also re-paint the walls and remove the acoustic ceiling to completely eliminate the smell from the previous tenants? 

Ok - got it.  will do.  Thanks Dana, Shawn

When a lender requires homeowners insurance, is there ever an expectation that this is to include personal property coverage?  Or is dwelling and liability generally sufficient?  Thanks

I need to do several renovations on some rental units and am evaluating two options.  1) Hire licensed contractors and pay $30k.  2) Hire an unlicensed contractor who has an excellent reputation and good references.  Pay $20k but he takes it under the table.  He will provide receipts for materials but not labor.

Thus, when it comes to tax return season, I plan to report and deduct the material expenses but not the labor.  Am I doing anything illegal here?