Additionally, we just learned the "hard" way about the expansive soils so prevalent throughout most of SA.Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my post and consider any advice you may decide to give me.~ K.

I have had partners in various business ventures and I really am a big believer in partnering I have a General contractor (unlicensed in my state ) but licensed in hawaii I have been working as his laborer on one of his projects in return he gives me a pretty good rate on my work and renovations I have four properties and he has dived into them and really been very valuablethere is a dark side to every story he has a bad habit of over promisinghe means well but he just cant get projects in on time even with me helping and I am there I can see how fast he moves and how hard he works and even with my help we are weeks behind.I dont get mad because I believe in the long run I will be able to estimate his estimate and figure out the actual completion timesanother dark side is that he knows a lot but he also has missed a few classes for example he installed my laminate flooring and he knows all about how to measure and accomodate walls that ride out and floor levelling but he is cutting around all the door jambs instead of cutting out underneath them.it looks like amateur hour.in the interest of time and money I am going to let this go this time in this apartment but the next apartment I will insist we use a saw and cut out underneath the jambswhat is my point in my rambling?

I hated to spend that money, was advised not to spend it, spent it anyway because I wanted a head-turning curb appeal, and wanted to sell the house quickly.If you just wanted something like the backyard seating area, the raw metal edging was $1.70/LF, road base (underneath gravel) was around $32/ton, and the 1" black star gravel was $75/ton.

Not a little water; a lot of water leaking from underneath the fridge.

Should save us a ton.Removed carpets and hardwoods underneath in great shape, May save us on flooring and just have a pro come do them. 

There is a basement underneath that is quite large and completely empty. 

Sorry if I was confusing but my concern was water going underneath the tub but a knee wall would be a a good idea.

Contaminated soil, lead based paint is still used commercially, just not residentially, high levels of radiation, mold, asbestos. 

Because it was more of a commercial building before, all the ductwork is in the ceiling, the ceilings are the typical florescent lights and particle-board-ish squares you see in offices, and the bathrooms are small with those classic tiny, heavy white sinks with ugly faucets that you find in other commercial buildings (where you can see the metal piping underneath)Has anyone tried to renovate a building like this?

No more painting, soiled carpets, Saturday/Sunday/night calls.6.