Do a lot of research on their proposed solution (overexcavation, geogrid reinforcing, soil cement stabilization, pilings) whatever it may be and share the report with contractors.

Question for new builders-, if a buildable lot is In the flood zone could a new foundation be built on cement blocks and if so would the property still need flood insurance?

At this point it probably would be best to rent it - both for income and to cement your use of it as investment if ever questioned.

Ever attended a cement foundation pour at 4:30 am in the summer--why so early?

Where the existing roof covering is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile.3.

Nine chances out of ten the roof is a modified roof (asphalt chemical composition; essentially a one square shingle) which is applied using a torch or set in cold process (roof cement).

This is quite an old style of foundation and in case you are not familiar it's like this, except the one I'm looking at has tree trunk (blocks) instead of cement blocks as shown below:The layout I'm working on looks something like this and I'm I've spoken with a number of structural engineers and gotten different answers from each one.

After reading all of his books, listening to all of his podcasts, attending a couple seminars, watching dang near any YouTube video I can find on him, and playing his CashFlow game over and over he has cemented in to my brain that assets pay for my liabilities and that cash flow is king.

Hi Percy,I do not have a good photo to post at the moment (I'll be back out there later in the week), but there are 3 flights of stone steps (around 4 steps each), 3 sets of wood steps (about 10 steps each), 10 sq. ft. of associated decking/porch area that would need to be cleared for ingress/egress, and around 100 feet of your typical width stone and cement walkways that run to the various entry points for each unit - the entrances are somewhat spread out, which is good and bad (bad for snow removal). 

The siding was in need of major paint removal and repair, the foundation needed to be put on cement piers instead of wood, the kitchen and baths were totally gutted and replaced with new cabinets, granite, stainless steel appliances, you get the idea.