I am building a home bigger then I normally would, in order to pocket the equity.Could use referrals to: consultants, engineers, foundation, excavating, drywall, cabinet, flooring, roofing, electrical, pretty much anyone good!

Bottom floor is a 14'6"x36' (504sf) 1+1.

What do you guys think about laminate floors in the bedroom.  

We're refinishing hardwood floors in our 3 family that we recently purchased.

Anything can.If the house is older in a neighborhood that is old.If the appliances are old, windows old and leaking, visual cosmetics are tired looking.How is the floors, electric, plumbing, and even the landscaping.In general, its impossible to know unless you compare properties and neighborhoods.

Just sold a foreclosure listing where the bank did $85k+ in renovations including 2 completely new bathrooms, upgraded the kitchen, roof, HVAC, redid the floors, and even landscaping.

The home appraised for 25k more than what I purchased it for, and I put a 20k downpayment, plus the improvements that I've made during the 4 months I've owned the home (paint, flooring, etc.. ) My lender notified me that even if I refi into a conventional loan with them (I currently have an FHA) that the Flood insurance premium would still be there. 

There are certain criteria such as new floors, appliances, etc., but I am looking for some clarification.

Cat urine horror stories,, are you prepared to replace dry wall up from the floors at least 2 feet and all the base trim,, carpeting, and probably sub floor...

This will be a total strip down including the cabinets which have already been removed, acoustic ceiling, flooring, wall paneling windows, doors, interior walls, floors, appliances, (water heater will be replaced with a much smaller tankless water heater which will give us an additional 32 cubic feet (4sfx8') of living space.Above the furnace will be replaced with a sub floor heating system which will allow us an additional 32 cubic feet.