How much would it cost to potentially gut and remodel a home?
I am thinking of buying a shell property in an up-and-coming neighborhood in Philadelphia. I would like to get a contractor to gut the whole thing and make it to my specs. Essentially, I want a garage on the first level; new kitchen, half bath, and LR/DR on second level; and 1-2 bedrooms and full bath on 3rd level. I don't really know much about the home buying process, nor do I have any experience or expertise in gutting a home. However, it seems like a viable option to at least think about...any ideas on costs, timeframe, what I will need to do/have done would be helpful.
How can you tell if a house is damaged beyond repair?
There's a really cheap house for sale, it's absolutely disgusting and full of garbage but it looks stable for the most part. The foundation doesn't have cracks, the roof looks good except there's a weird looking repair job around the chimney (guessing it leaked at one point, because there's also one spot inside where the ceiling tiles fell off and the wood is showing through) And there are a few broken windows. I know it definitely needs work, but how do you tell if it's so bad it would just be better to buy a more expensive house?
House is unlivable and can't afford to make required repairs?
A friend of mine has owned a 2 bedroom 1 bath home in Pennsylvania for about 8 years. They owe 140,000 on the house right now and are able to make the mortgage. However, they gutted the house and found black mold and after more inspection found the foundation and Sill of the house to be completely shot. They had the house on the market before they found all these issues and they were unable to sell. Her husband who is a contractor stated it would cost them way too much to repair the damage to the home with out going completely in the whole financially. She is at her wits end and is contemplating walking away from the house and renting. Has anyone had this experience? Is there anyway the home could be deemed unlivable by a County Inspector? If it is condemned/deemed unlivable how would a mortgage company handle this? Is there any way to walk away from this house with out having huge repercussions? They can not sell the house at this price, they can not refinance because of the real estate market. Have the Foreclosure policies changed to help people who are in this type of situation?
Does mold penetrate plaster walls?
Yes, if the plaster is damp enough. Be aware that black mold can be a condemnation-worthy issue if it's bad enough, and cause serious respiratory problems. You'll have to rip ALL the plaster and gypsum walls out (it'll be on the backside, too!), bleach the wood framing, and replace anything that got seriously saturated. Wear a respirator/quality mask while you do it, and you can get yourself a great house for a low price. Just work smart! Oh, and fix the roof first...otherwise your other hard work can/will be ruined...trust me :( Always go roof, foundation, windows, framing, siding, plumbing, electrical, then cosmetic: wall, ceiling, cabinetry, toilet, floors, trim. That way work done on a previous step doesn't get damaged by the following--shifting foundation or relief of the weight on the roof (if multiple shingle layers) will crack drywall and plaster walls. Learned that the hard way, too. Good luck!
How safe is a 90-year old detached house in the UK, and how long will these houses last?
I was brought up in a 1902 house and have owed properties from 1895, 1890, 1980 (an error), 1856, 1908 and the current 1873. In almost all of them we've bought a tired property in a good structure and location and my wife has done her magic.The error was an estate built job which was functionally ok but lacked any character and was overlooked by 7 other properties. Older houses have bigger rooms and higher ceilings so you have a feeling of space. There are some other advantages as well as some hazards- they are rarely built on flood plains - they have lasted a long time so any problems are easier to find. But note that many uk cities were bombed in WW2. The direct hits were demolished, the rest were repaired. Cracks from 60 years ago are not uncommon- lath and plaster ceilings last a very long time. Then collapse.- asbestos is mostly likely to be in outbuildings and highly unlikely to be integral to construction. But lead water pipes could still be extant. Lots of people advise getting in a surveyor. It makes sense but surveyors won't lift carpets and raise floorboards unless explicitly instructed. Local engineers know the locality, so know the things to expect and the solutions that workOur 1856 4-storey town house was jerry built, held up by the curious location of the chimneys within the house. We strengthened the structure with some steelwork and tied everything together. When you're ripping the interior apart to make a nice house this is pretty easy to fix: less so if you thought it was in good shape when you bought it. It had no foundations whatsoever but was built on chalk. It's a gorgeous property - now - with some splendid period features that never graced the original. My wife's family has owned a country cottage of uncertain but 19th century age for over 50 years. It's s terrible piece of construction with undersized beams and massive walls that attract damp like nothing else.
Is it true that craftsmen don't like it when homeowners watch/join in to help (paint, repair, install, etc.)? My stepdad follows them like a puppy.
I never minded people watching for awhile and asking a few questions. I learned a lot about various trades by asking questions, then I would leave. They usually enjoy sharing their experience if someone is interested, Especially when it is asked in a way that shows respect for their experience. I would say things like “"wow, you make that look so easy and I know for sure it isn't, what's the trick?” Then they would tell me a little trick they learned that I would never have known otherwise.But to be shadowed by a homeowner is very irritating to say the least. I don't know what your father does for a living, but how would he like it if his boss was hanging over his shoulder watching his every move?Even the best craftsman make mistakes, they are called craftsman not because they don't, but because they know little tricks to make it right when they do. It is this extensive knowledge that sets them apart from ammatures. They don't need the homeowner questioning their every move. If I made a mistake and couldn't fix it , I did it over, but if I knew I could make it right without anyone ever noticing it, I took that route. But if they know exactly where to look for every mistake, they will never get it out of thier head that it's there. When I'm done with a project I ask the customer to look it all over carefully, then if they are completely satisfied, it is finished. I don't point out, where I had to fix something because obviously I fixed it well enough they had no idea it was there. No harm no foul. But I gurantee if they saw the error in the first place, they would insist on having it done over. It is the final result they are paying for not the trip to get there. So tell your stepdad to be nice, let them do their work in peace and leave them alone.