Need a general contractor...or home specialist

[Cdubyah]

So I need a little bit of help, or at least, pointed in the right direction.

 

My wife and I started looking for houses. We found one we like, within our price range, but I'm worried about all of the stuff that will need completed before its move in ready.

It's a steal of a deal, which is usually a pretty big red flag to me. So, we went to look at it, and sure enough there is all kinds of things that are needed.

 

It needs in no particular order

HVAC

Sump Pump - didn't get all the details on this just yet

Possibly septic system - again not alot of details. Not sure if it's connected to the city of not

Water heater

Possibly rewire of electric. House was built in 1974, So I'm not sure about that.

 

So I would like to do a walk through with someone, or multiple folks, that could pinpoint no bullshit what's it going to cost to get all that.

 

I'm more than willing to compensate for your time. Again, I'm looking for a no BS estimate total cost.

 

Basically I'm trying to figure what offer I need to make the back, before the fixes, and still make it under my budget.

 

Thank you

 

[snot]

Quik aka Alan is an electrician.

[ohiomike]

The house being wired in '74 should have no bearing on whether it needs a re-wire or not.  I do know that even today here in some locales in Ohio there are no codes required, so that might be the case where the house is located when it was built.  But the NEC requirements in '74 were and are still considered to be safe.  One thing that might need attention is the size of the service.  Back then a 100A service was required, but in today's world, that is not sufficient when you figure all the crap we now use....lol.  So you might need to up your service to a 200A.  

Edited January 19, 2014 by ohiomike

[grapesmuggler27]

I can go through the HVAC system for ya

[Cdubyah]

I figured you would chime in here.

Basically it needs a new furnace and a/c. Not sure what else it would need.

The realtor that has the house listed hasn't given us the specifics just yet. She won't be back in office until Monday or Tuesday.

[ohiomike]

Well, best of luck

I'm out of here.

[Tpoppa]

It sounds like you need a good home inspector.

[Cdubyah]

It sounds like you need a good home inspector.

 

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out what I need. Wasn't sure if the home inspector would be able to give me price estimates or not.

 This is a new ballpark for me. First possible home purchase.

[Tpoppa]

Home inspectors usually won't give any kind of repair estimate.  They'll give you a good list of what needs attention though.

 

A home inspection is $400-500.  Usually people get a home inspection after an offer is accepted (the offer is pending the results of the inspection).  In this case it may make sense to get the home inspected first and use it to negotiate a lower sale price.

 

OOC, why does it need so much work?  Was it vacant or burglarized?

[Cdubyah]

Home inspectors usually won't give any kind of repair estimate.  They'll give you a good list of what needs attention though.

 

OOC, why does it need so much work?  Was it vacant or burglarized?

 

Yeah, that's why I was looking for a contractor.

Its been vacant.  The furnace apparently doens't work at all. Not sure about the AC. It would appear the hot water heater is the original from 74.

The basement had flooded at some point while it has been vacant. So I'm not sure if it needs a new pump, or if there are leaks, or if a pipe burst somewhere from the lack of heat.

 

This was just the verbal list of things wrong, given to us by the realtor. However, we are waiting for the actual list of broken shit still.

Lot of stuff that I don't know about, or what it's gonna cost me to fix. Don't want to sign the line, and then get buttfucked with repair bills.

[Tpoppa]

There is mold if the basement was flooded and wet for more than 72 hours.  Mold remediation can be VERY expensive.

The recent cold snap did lots of damage to pipes of houses that were vacant (unless they were previously winterized by shutting off the water and pumping antifreeze into the pipes). 

 

my $.02.  Unless it's an amazing deal and you just can't lose...those kinds of projects are best left to investors that can fix/repair themselves at cost and then 'flip' it.  Paying contractors to do all the work adds up quickly.

[Cdubyah]

At this point it is unknown how long there was water in the basement or what caused it. Mold is something I don't want to deal with in the slightest.

The pipes have been winterized from what ive have seen and been told.

 

It's a pretty good deal right now. Even if I have to invest another $20k into it. It's just a matter of how far I want to go with the project.

I, unlike my wife, would not like to buy a fixer upper and dump money into it.

 

I appreciate your input.

[bmwnut]

check for aluminum wire if it has that it should be rewired look in the electrical panel and see if there is some The entrance cable is ok if it is  but not the smaller wires to the rest of the house. that is about the year they did use some

[grapesmuggler27]

I figured you would chime in here.

Basically it needs a new furnace and a/c. Not sure what else it would need.

The realtor that has the house listed hasn't given us the specifics just yet. She won't be back in office until Monday or Tuesday.

Just let me know

[Cdubyah]

At this point in time we have decided not to pursue the house.

Thanks to everyone for your input.