My real estate experience is limited my own personal transactions, I bought/sold a condo in NY and am having a home built on LI to live as a permanent residence which is currently wrapping up.

Permanent foundations.

For hazardous waste removal and other junk fees.My rule of thumb these days is to allow -20% profit on a major systems job (roofing, AC replacement)-$2-$2.25 per sq ft of fooring (Tile Hardwood)-$175per day/$25 hour/ per man for painting and handyman workI guess if a plumber can get $500 an hour then more power to him, but hes not getting that from me.And I can relate to your plumber story.

We buy permanent residents that we rent out once we move due to orders.

We'll need to decide how these people can afford to buy the things that keep the economy moving even though they may be permanently unemployed.The answers won't come by clinging to our ideologies (of "liberal" or "conservative" or "libertarian" or "Tea Party").

.- No permanent modification of property.

Then the loan is permanent after the last draw, no need to refinance under a tight timeline.

Then again, this may permanently chase away the opportunity.

If you view a HELOC as an extension of your pocketbook for short term cash outlays, and not a permanent form of financing, you should be in good shape.

You have to consider electricians charge about $100 per hour, plumbers are close to that, and construction crews go about $65 PER MAN on the job.