Revealing that a $70K house doesn't have new mechanicals is no surprise to anyone with experience.6.

If payment for subcontractors was included in a draw given to the contractor, how do you know the subcontractors were paid so that they do not file for a mechanics lien?

Surface renovations, with no mechanical updates or major issues will cost me 50k minimum.Now that 2% will often be stale MLS listings, that I feel I can get significantly below current list price.  

My HVAC/plumbing contractor said the mechanicals were sound.I'm not very handy.  

This number could be more than double depending on how much work needs to be done with the mechanicals. 

If sell, it could help to sell the house.In Baltimore, we have specific insurances plans for plumbing electric mechanical etc...  

Roof, windows, foundation, siding, driveway, mechanicals. 

It does put me in an....ethical dilemma, which maybe can be solved through proper disclosures, that if a house has been rehabbed...have the major mechanical systems, and capex been updated also?  

Much like I have the same basic certifications or education my HVAC, plumber, electrician, mechanic, pool guy and home inspector have.90 hours and a couple thousand could open more opportunities than buying the Real Estate for dummies book on Amazon, why get all the information without putting the extra effort in and being licensed as well?

The mechanics of how it's calculated are too complex to explain.