Ask them if there are any minimum building standards like all brick/masonry?

I've also done insulation, re-sided a house, and re-roofed a house myself, though I'd probably recommend hiring those out, if you can...HIRE OUT: all but the most basic of electrical, advanced plumbing, advanced carpentry (esp. anything structural or requiring engineering), HVAC, appliance repair, most masonry work.Sometimes there are things that probably would be fairly easy to DYI, but I hired out because the price was low--for instance, I found that gutter installation was pretty cheap (at least it was when I last got new gutters), so I hired that out-- even though I probably could have figured it out on my own. 

The product data also called for vents if the grill was going to be installed in a built-in masonry assembly but the designer did not include vents in the CDs.The questions I have are:1) What advice would you give to try and show the design team members that the items I find are solely meant to help the project avoid as many cost and schedule impacts as possible?

We are looking to do some initial rehab to at least 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, some windows, some masonry work on the building, and likely will need a new tear off roof with some metal capping around the parapet wall.

I am a structural engineer (working on my licenses at the moment) with experience in concrete, masonry, steel and wood construction.

@John Vanhara What is the square footage of the buildings and is a masonry product required on the walls?

I don't think you will ever have a masonry house where the inspector doesn't site a need for tuck pointing.

If something is accidentally unfinished, you're going to be cutting open your brand new walls to fix it.You can also save some money doing your own tile and finishing work like installing cabinets and what have you.It really depends on your skill level and how comfortable you are with the work.Unless its just 1 or 2 rooms I always hire out; Demo, HVAC, Drywall hanging and finishing, Floor refinishing, Carpeting, Roofing and Brick pointing or larger masonry jobs.

Also, you can use the cash to float your own expenses — again make sure you budget properly to make up for pending expensesAlso, at least in today’s market rates, at least you can get 5% apr with your funds in a masonry market fund if you hold onto it.Good luck

I guesss I could rip out all of the finished walls, and put mortar (waterproof) on the actually basement walls, and baring the masonry will help me keep an eye out for the rest of the structure and to make sure it doesn’t reach the rest of the house?