This list was poached from contractortalk.comHouse/with attached Garage General ConditionsFinalize plans and develop estimate with owner, architectSign contract and notice to proceedApply for PermitsSecure foundation permitSecure framing permitSecure electrical permitSecure plumbing permitSecure HVAC permitSecure miscellaneous permitsSite WorkClear and grub lotExcavator estimated houlySkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyTopsoil strippingSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyPavement and sidewalk removalSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyRough gradingSkid steer estimated hourlyRelocation of existing natural drainageExcavator estimated houlySkid steer estimated hourlyRemoval of unsuitable soilSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyAccess roadsSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyDetoursProtection of existing structures and utilitiesEnvironmental considerationsInstall temporary power serviceInstall underground utilitiesFoundationLocate buildingSurveyInstall batter boardsExcavate for foundationsExcavator estimated houlyDrilling for garage pilesSkid steer estimated hourlyTrucking estimated hourlyFormingFootingsTotal lineal feet of footingTotal width of footingTotal thickness of footingsTotal cubic meters of footingsFoundations wallsTotal lineal feet of wallsTotal width of wallsTotal height of wallsTotal cubic meters of wallsGrade beamsTotal lineal feet of beamTotal width of beamTotal height of beamTotal number of 12"x12' concrete pileTotal cubic meters of beams and pilesCure basement walls for 7 daysStrip basement wall formsWaterproof/insulate basement wallsPerform foundation inspectionBackfill foundationSkid steer estimated hourlyFraming house and attached gargeInstall 1st floor joistsMud sill achor bolts Sill gasket2x6 Treated mud sill2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam3" Adjustable steel telepost2x10 Spruce joisting2x10 Spruce rim joists2x2 bridging Single joist hangers/nailsDouble joist hangers/nails3 1/4" coated nailsLay 1st floor decking3/4" T&G Fir sheating1 1/2" flooring screwsSub-floor adhesiveFrame 1st floor wallsExterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3/8" spruce sheathing2x10 spruce 2 ply header with 2x6 backer2x6 garge door rough frame and Brick moulding3 1/4" coated nails1 1/2" sheathing stapleHouse wrap (Tyvek) and tape3/8" house wrap staplesInterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x4 spruce2x4 spruce studs 92 5/8"2x4 spruce single plate door headerPlumbing wallTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3 1/4" coated nailsCap plate and exterior wall backing poly flashing2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam2x6 drywall backingInstall 2nd floor joists2x10 Spruce joisting2x10 Spruce rim joists2x2 bridging Single joist hangers/nailsDouble joist hangers/nails3 1/4" coated nailsLay 2nd floor decking3/4" T&G Fir sheating1 1/2" flooring screwsSub-floor adhesiveFrame 2nd floor wallsExterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3/8" spruce sheathing2x10 spruce 2 ply header with 2x6 backer3 1/4" coated nails1 1/2" sheathing stapleHouse wrap (Tyvek) and tape3/8" house wrap staplesInterior wallsTop, bottom and cap plates 2x4 spruce2x4 spruce studs 92 5/8"2x4 spruce single plate door headerPlumbing wallTop, bottom and cap plates 2x6 spruce2x6 spruce studs 92 5/8"3 1/4" coated nailsCap plate and exterior wall backing poly flashing2x10 Spruce 4 ply beam2x6 drywall backingInterior stairs and landingsComplete roof framingManufactured Roof trusses and gables 24" o.c.2x6 gable ladders and fascia2x6 fasicaCardboard insulation baffels2x4 truss bracing and strapping2x4 ridge blocking1/2 roof sheathing1/2 sheathing clips3 1/4" coated nails2" sheathing staples3/8" insulation baffle staplesConduct framing inspectionDry InShingles210 Asphalt shinglesIce and water shieldAsphalt ridged cap1 1/4" shingle nailsAluminum gable flashingRoof vents1st floor exterior doorsFront door 36/80 6 panel with side liteWeiser brush nickel passage and deadboltBack door 36/80 6 Panel Weiser brush nickel passage and deadboltGarage man door to house 36/80 6 panel with closerWeiser brush nickel passage and deadboltGarage doors 9x7 Barcol inusulated with Genie opener1st floor windows2nd floor windowsExterior FinishesEavesAluminum vented soffit (white)Aluminum fascia5" Gutter and down spoutsStuccoScaffolding1 1/2" styrofoam insulationStucco base coatStucco finish coatPargingStone workShingle gablesExterior Decks and StairsUtility Rough-Ins and Complete ConcreteRough-in plumbingConduct rough-in plumbing inspectionPlace concrete for basement floorRough-in electricalConduct rough-in electrical inspectionRough-in HVACConduct rough-in HVAC inspectionRough-in communication - phone, cable, computer, alarmInterior FinishesInsulationWall insulation - 1st floorR20 fiberglass batt 6ml vapor barrierWall insulation - 2nd floorR20 fiberglass batt 6ml vapor barrierCeiling insulation - 2nd floorR40 Blown in cellulose 6ml vapor barrierConduct insulation inspection3/8" vapor barrier StaplesTuck tapeAcostical chalkingDrywallInstall drywall - 1st floor wallsInstall drywall - 1st floor overheadInstall drywall 2nd floor wallsInstall drywall 2nd floor overheadTape and float 1st floor drywallTape and float 2nd floor drywallPaintTexture all except entry and kitchen - 1st floorPaint all except entry and kitchen - 1st floorHang wallpaper entry and kitchen - 1st floorTexture all - 2nd floorPaint all - 2nd floorPaint exterior siding & trim workCabinetsInstall 1st floor - kitchen cabinetsInstall 1st floor - master bath and guest cabinetsInstall 2nd floor - hall bath and private bath cabinetsInstall chair rails, crown moldings, trimFinish PlumbingComplete 1st floor - kitchen plumbingComplete 1st floor - master bath and guest plumbingComplete 2nd floor - hall bath and private bath plumbingConduct finish plumbing inspectionFinish ElectricalComplete 1st floor circuits to service panelComplete 2nd floor circuits to service panelConduct finish electrical inspectionComplete communications wiring - phone, cable, computer, alarmFinish HVACComplete 1st floor - zone 1 HVACComplete 2nd floor - zone 2 HVACConduct HVAC inspectionCarpet, Tile and AppliancesTile entry, kitchen and bathsCarpet 1st floorCarpet 2nd floorInstall appliancesLandscaping and Grounds WorkPour concrete driveway and sidewalksInstall backyard fenceSod and complete plantings - front yardSod and complete plantings - backyardFinal AcceptanceComplete final inspection for certificate of occupancyCleanup for occupancyPerform final walk-through inspectionComplete punch list items

As we have drifted away from that, the value system in this country has deteriorated.

Ok for those of you who have read my posts I am a rookie land lordand I put some pretty fancy doo dads in my rentals they are c rentals neighborhoods that are a little sketchy There are bars on all the windows I think I am using that rating correctly.but I have a hypothesis which is born from an experience while living in new york during the 80'smore on that laterI put the big pull faucets with the pull out sprayer i opted for bead board back splashes because they were cheaper I almost went with glass but ran out of moneyI did floating vanities in the bathroom with water fall faucetsand I put down laminate floors and I even did an accent wall the prospective tenants liked it all but what froze them in their tracks was the shower heada relatively inexpensive square glass rain shower headwith the delta armhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003064FXY/that froze them dead they were so anxious to get the apartment the husband started jumping around and ran and picked up an empty krispy kreme box from the living room and wrote their email adresss on itthere is no doubt that the other renos made an impact but this shower head for the money is going to go in all my rentalsthe pure allure of it for what it costs pays huge dividendsnow on to my hypothesisWhile growing up in New york I noticed that in the middle of some of the worse neighborhoods were people who had apartments with the african art the smell of sandle wood or some exotic insence paintings on the wall and book shelves and some nice potterythere were bars on the windows and under the smooth jazz music you can hear the sounds of city life outside these folks had created an oasis within their apartmentsI believe that you can find these sorts of people simply by understanding who they are which doesent take much just start talking about life and things goals and aspirations principles of living and dichotomies and the truly intelligent grounded caring folks will emerge in your mind.people who may come from the ghetto but are somewhat elevated from that existencewhether through education or a realization that it goes no where a been there done that mentality and a desire for more from their lives.artists, educators, construction workers, part time poets full time city workerswhatever.

My preference would be a 5/1 ARM or 7/1 ARM, which would be fixed for 5 or 7 years, then begin to float annually at something like 1yr Tsy + 3.25%, with a term of 25-30 years, and annual/life maximum rate move of 2%/6%.

Have a good flooring contractor come in and float the whole thing with cement based underlayment.

Even coffins were floating during the last storm and family members of the buried party were not too pleased.

And here I use DMSH for appliances, somebody offered that we could apply DMSH to floating allure floor and carpet (but I am not sure :)If I am lucky and had mostly improvements under 2% - SHST will help a lot, but my big improvements - windows, roof, new kitchen - usually higher than 2%as I understand we could use SHST and DMSH at the same time and they do not limit each other, but Maintenance Safe Harbor is included in the limit of SHST. 

There's even talk of floating house designs to mitigate American hurricane-prone and flood zone areas.

Well, I can see how anti business policies can affect population drifts...

He started buying up mom and Pop Q I s all around the country then would raid their trust accounts.. and basically had a massive Ponzi going.. buying yatchts  Jets.. 1 million dollar wedding to the 25 YO hot Brazilain he married  and this guy was 50 and not HOT.. lol  you get the drift.. its a great episode..