Although as policy I never charge an upfront fee (because I want to have as large a deal flow as possible), I don't outright think an upfront fee is by itself inappropriate.

It could be tacky and inappropriate, but not illegal.

But, I feel this is completely inappropriate given the somber nature of the occasion.

The only place appropriate to do that here is in our Marketplace.It is wholly inappropriate to take a thread asking for advice and trying to sell your services in it -- that's called hijacking and is prohibited here.

@Jay Hinrichs I reported the post as inappropriate. 

These kinds of cards are inadequate, if not inappropriate, if only for the necessary information that’s missing from the card.

If you do allow posts, then admin should be reading every post and deleting any inappropriate advice.

The alternatives to cure are more complicated and carry other issues that make them improbable or impossible perhaps inappropriate considering the magnitude of the matter.

FHA is insuring the loan, and wants to make sure the funds aren't being spent inappropriately (or wasted by a homeowner with no skills), so they require that the work is done by a contractor that is on an approved list. 

It reduces the temptation to juggle money inappropriately as your construction costs inevitably change.