All Forum Posts by: Eric La Pratt

I need recommendations for snow removal. Used to do it myself but pivoting now to hiring this out. Have a couple of small 2-4 unit properties in Albany Park and Lincoln Square, about 10-15 minutes from one another.

Thanks!

Thanks! Appreciate this, so very much. I have a hodgepodge of doors that will need some finessing. As such, I'm going to try some Waterson hinges and see how they work!

Thanks @Colleen F. If I'm reading this right, you're using the hinge version on unit doors and an industrial one on the main door. Would love to know if you find both are effective or if one is more effective than the other. Any chance you'll be by the property in the next week or so to see what the industrial opener is?

I am looking to add several smart home features to my properties to allow me to more effortless manage my small multi-families from afar. One of those features is programmable door locks. While I already use these and they are super successful for me, I need to add an auto-close feature to the doors to ensure they actually get locked. This isn't a My doors are typical fire-rated exterior doors. Smart locks only work when the door has been fully closed. This would help the occasional bad behavior (it happens on accident, despite all efforts) to ensure a smart lock engages.

What automatic door closers have you used and loved? Which ones didn't work and you didn't like? Have hinges been okay for you or have you gone to the full on industrial-type mounting system?

@Mark Ainley @John Warren @Chris Seveney & @Michael K.

Henry Frerk & Sons on Belmont had the cast iron one in stock and ready to go for $62.79 out the door. Easy peasy. Best option out there, in my opinion.

Thanks all.

@Mark Ainley I'll try advanced concrete and see what they say.
@John Warren I can't seem to find the size I need on Amazon. The important piece here is the exploring kids in my building don't try to do something stupid. I was thinking something heavy was necessary to thwart that but then I saw my young child and their friends on their school playground pulling a small one up. So perhaps the plastic ones are better if I can screw it down. It would need a sleeve/insert thing I can secure to the concrete wall of the trap.
@Chris Seveney Grainger was the first place I went - no dice. Local drain plumbers might have a good answer.

When I find the answer, I'll post back here.

Chicagoans are aware that many properties contain an old grease trap in the yard. Welp, I bought a property and its missing. Never had this happen.

Any leads on where to buy these? 15.5" diameter hole with an 18" diameter lip. The existing sleeve is the typical concrete, so I assume I'd just buy aforementioned heavy cover and put it on top.

I need a new roof & gutters on one of my buildings. It's an expensive job given the size and height with quotes ranging from $22k - $40k. Additionally, the old aluminum siding on 3 sides (the front facade is new vinyl) has damage but I've not had any interest in redoing it as, in my humble non-insurance adjuster opinion, it is not going to add any value for my rent. This is a long term hold for me that cash flows incredibly already.

What are the pros and cons of having the roofer do an insurance claim versus just paying for it? As others have noted in other posts, it's a situation where I would only need to pay my deductible regardless of what happens - even if they roofer didn't get paid. I would expect some sort of hit on premium and even being dropped. This isn't the only small multi-family I have, however they are on separate policies on different companies but through the same agent. Additionally, one contractor in particular is willing to go full bore and get new siding which, given the size of the building, I am guessing is a $30k project in of itself.

Paying a $1k deductible for $50k-$60k worth of work seems pretty incredible. Is that worth the downstream pain?

@Lucas Miles I have a GC working on the full rehab but he's newer at small multi rehabs (has done many commercial rehabs) so I'm not 100% confident at his recommendation which is to just replace. I am curious to get the opinions of others about this long term given the amount of units.

What brands of power vent water heaters do you recommend? Not seeing great reviews on AO Smith (Lowes), Rheem (Home Depot + a knock off at Menards). Is Bradford White good?

How many gallons should I get? Currently have 75 - no idea how well it worked before. Is that enough? It's a big jump in price to 80 or 100 gallons.

Situation: I am finishing an almost-gut rehab on 3 units in Chicago. We didn't intend to replace the 75 gallon water heater but then the basement flooded during construction and the heater is done. I want to get away from the using the chimney and am thinking of power vent (don't ask why, but let's just say I'm not 100% confident on its ability long term and it's not something that can reasonably be lined).

Usage Specifics: Single shared water heater (owner pays for this gas supply separately); 3 units (floors 1 - 3); 8 Bedrooms (3 + 3 + 2); 3 dishwashers; shared laundry in basement.

Thanks all!