I'm a recent graduate from The University at Buffalo with a degree in mechanical engineering.

They have some sort of mechanism like depreciation called IDC which can mean writing off 85-100% of your investment in the first year.

Nfip ONLY covers electric panel, water heater, heater/AC, fuel tanks (if used for heat), basically only mechanicals used to service the upstairs and that's it.

If you don't change the filter out frequently enough, you will notice that not enough air is getting through the ducts and out the system to heat or cool your house effectively (bills go up).If you run the furnace without the filter, dust and particles build up on the blower motor fan mechanism, making it heavier.

A multi page report on all aspects of the house should be included and cover everything from roof to basement, siding to mechanicals, flooring to fixtures.  

Your survival mechanism is playing out of past fears and hurts.  

I would not want them in the house during the time I was putting in thousands of dollars of mechanicals, appliances, flooring, and such. 

In every area I've built houses, you need a licensed engineer to stamp the plans, a licensed electrician/plumber/HVAC company to pull mechanical permits and a licensed GC (unless you plan to live in the house yourself). 

Even NOW with a moderate smidge of success I would definitely still hold onto that 2010 Subaru instead of buying a new vehicle - we still have a 2009 sedan and my friends always ask why I don't sell it and get something 'sweet'...well I think it's an awesome car, it runs great, and its paid for  -  WHY THE HELL WOULD I GO RIGHT BACK INTO DEBT - especially on something mechanical like a car that will depreciate?!

I'll look forward to seeing what transpires at the Mechanical Fabric Mill.