He received quotes to remove the texture ceiling, paint the interior, purchase and install new kitchen cabinets and counters (including completing the design), picked out 2 floorings to get quotes which will be provided this week, and determined furnace is beyond saving (I will likely get HVAC quote for him).  

The 1031 exchange is designed to give you a loophole: You are not considered to be selling and buying, you are simply trading your property for a different one or ones.

., how much design work does the civil engineer need to do. 

I have a general contractors and interior design license.

Congrats - love the design

What you want to steer clear of is the design firms types that will tell you that not only will it be expensive but take a ton of time.

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Lots of houses have flood designation amendments if they are up against little creeks, so they wouldn't disclose any issues because they had their boundary inspected and ruled OK.

The time between when the corrections are presented and the turn time for the designer is really a drag (keep on them).5.

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