My father was a mechanical engineer who developed a reputation of being prideful and difficult to work with and lost his "good" corporate job in the mid-80s.

The following are excluded from mediation (i) an unlawful detainer action (ii) the filing or enforcement of a mechanic’s lien; and (iii) any matter within the jurisdiction of a probate, small claims or bankruptcy court.

Are the mechanicals fairly new or will they need replacement in the next few years?

On the walls,in the vents, in the mechanical equipment.

. :-)The one thing I will say is that I had very few major mechanical issues back then.

Have a mechanic friend who is looking to buy a shop.

This is an example of why cash reserves are a very important part of your investment plans.Home Depot offers a project loan that will be good for a lot of materials and some installation of things like flooring, doors, blinds, HVAC or other mechanicals.  

If people want to change the law, go ahead.I once got into a discussion with a local gentleman at the mechanic.

Same impact, same mechanism of syndication  and same qualification for 1031 treatment.  

On the legal side of things, make sure that you get material waivers and gc sworn statements from your contractor's to protect yourself from Mechanic's/Material-man's Liens...