All Forum Posts by: Robert Valenti

Hello BP flippers and rehabbers,

I would like to offer to help investors with their rehab, flip, or remodel. I have a ton of experience in the construction field, and there has to be someone out there who is planning, designing, starting, working on, or finishing a project that could use a hand.

I would like to help someone who truly does need the help right now. I've been in a position where there was lots of work to be done and I didn't have help. 

I want to be a part of the real estate investing community, and I believe that this can only help to further that goal. 

So there it is. Contact me if you are in any phase of a project, and I'll help you in whatever way I can.

@Michael Herr I would put a pre-hung door in there and be done with it. It will operate smoothly and be secure. You can install a lockset with deadbolt in there in like 15 minutes. I like the way Kwikset is designed, they install fast.

Old doors are sometimes oddly shaped, as in not square or in a nice plane, because they have been tweaked over the years. If you try to fit a new door slab in there and don't get it right it may not function well, or you could have to buy another one. Sometimes the mounting points on the jamb and door slab are shot.

Check the rough opening size and see if it is readily available off the shelf. If it isn't you can usually get a non-stock door for not much more, but will have to wait a week or more. Find a door/window supplier if this is what you need. I used to go to Harvey in MA. You probably have a similar distributer.

Do projects.

Work with talented builders, and pay attention.

Read books & watch videos.

Learn about building science: http://www.buildingscience.com/index_html

Learn building codes, they will come up. You'll find all kinds of practical info: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000002&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019

Read product specifications and installation guides.

Read this: http://www.awc.org/pdf/WFCM_90-B-Guide.pdf

I own a small 6x12 tiny house. Its finished on the outside. The inside is still unfinished. Its designed to be a very energy efficient/comfortable building. I use it for storage for now.

Start with zoning. I think in most places you have to be zoned as a trailer park to make it work legally. You need to then fulfill all of the requirements for that. Its a great concept, but hard to pull off above the radar.

Dustin,

I hope your scope of work is a lot more defined than you are posting here. When you get into re-configuring spaces there is a lot of work involved. Some of the things you could run into are:

Plumbing relocation, venting, drains, supply lines, etc. This could cost anywhere from +/- $400-800 per fixture depending on your market and existing conditions. Is this a slab on grade structure, or does it have a basement?

New framed walls, drywall & finishing, maybe insulation, trim. New walls need to blend in with the ceiling and old walls. You may need to add egress windows, which penetrate the exterior. You will have to satisfy the minimum electrical code requirements within the new and existing walls in the newly configured space.

Electrical meters, as was mentioned, panel upgrades, sub panels, etc. You should ventilate bathrooms and the possibly the stove. Lighting will have to be re-configured.

Is the baseboard electric or hydronic? You will have to supply heat to any new spaces, and may have to modify runs. Are you thinking of a ducted AC system? Is there a space above or below to run the ducts? With your budget, maybe they supply their own AC.

Are you changing the use group classification per code? Are there any energy code requirements for this level of remodel in your area? What about fire protection, fire separation walls, fire alarms, CO detectors, or even sprinklers?

How is the roof? Are there handrails and guard rails required anywhere? Are the means egress illuminated? Do they need to be? This can get very involved.

I have a feeling that your contractor is going to make you fall over when he tells you how much a job like this will cost.

With all of that said, I'm a big fan of using what is there to it's maximum advantage and being very creative about things like this. You may be able to do some amazing things with what is there, but you HAVE to know what you are doing because mistakes in the design will cost money and will add up quicker than you can imagine. I wish you all the best!

There could be a lot of things at play.

1. Not all contractors are good at preparing estimates, doing paperwork, using computers to create documents, etc. I would say from my experience as a contractor that most residential contractors are not, but some are. Find those.

2. Preparing an estimate can be difficult for different reasons. The scope of work has to be well defined. They may feel like they have to undercut their rates/pricing because you are an investor, and they view it as not worth the effort. They may be busy with other work, and don't have any staff to estimate projects.

3. The contractor doesn't have a good base of knowledge about their costs to work from and is intimidated by preparing a competitive bid. You would think they might be able to at least shoot from the hip price, right?

4. They are not very experienced at all of the above, and maybe even doing what you want them to, even if they said they are. I would ask for at least a reference or two. Some contractors are just starting out, and that's OK, they could be very experienced at what they do.

If you are doing work on your properties a lot, maybe you could develop a scope of work form that you give to contractors. That would help any contactor, even those who are on top of their game.

Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

This is an extremely quick and dirty rendering of going modern with it.

Hello, I'm looking forward to learning and sharing with the community here. This seems like a great resource for everyone. I have very good credit, a stable job, and a lot of determination, and I'm primarily interested in buying and selling at first.

I'm an experienced construction professional, and a recent resident of AZ. I'm putting together my AZ contractor's license application, and I'm a licensed  builder in MA where I came from.

I have always focused on quality, great design, education, knowledge, and integrity, and have spent my career gaining valuable experience in almost everything you need to succeed. I have done everything from fast track remodeling and carpentry, to working in high volume construction offices, to energy efficient construction, to being a city building inspector. Much of my career I have been self employed, so I learned a lot of sales, marketing, and promotional skills.

I have wanted to invest in real estate for some time. I have scoured my market before (in MA), primarily using MLS, because I didn't really know anything else. Now, the more I read and learn about RE investing, the more optimistic I am about the possibilities. I have developed some great skills over the years, and I'm eager to put them to work to build a solid financial future.

I hope to connect and collaborate with some serious people here. If there is anything I can help you with, just ask.

Robert