All Forum Posts by: Stephen Camardo

That's an interesting observation - and yes, that has worked for me in the past.  However, In the Boston area, I am surprised at how many contractors say "I'm not going to tell you how I'm going to do certain things." they view it as "trade secrets.  In general, I want to know if they are going to use "speedy" methods - or own technical equipment (like a bobcat, or a man-lift, or in the case of a plumber, pex equipment) - in addition to a contractors knowledge about codes, I ask to know if they are knowledgeable about the most cost effective contracting techniques.  This is why I always try to research the tools and techniques ahead of time - then you can ask the contractor - well what about this way.   With a little knowledge about the process, you can get down to better pricing.

Hi - have a few general questions on building on top of concrete block in a condo..

1. For flooring - obviously ceramic is ok (directly applied) as well as floating floors.  If you did a hardwood floor, would you use special nails into the concrete, or would you glue down? (or glue underlament then nail regularly.

2. Same for wood or other baseboard - glue?  masonry nails ect?

3. same on fastening cabinets to walls.

thanks!

ahh !  love the goat idea.  I didn't think of that - there's a company here in Southeastern Mass that does just that here.  Wonder if I can get a goat on a plane to Texas?  ..... hmmm

Wow - great replies - thanks again - any advice on cost to do a 11,000 SF lot - then replant with grass? - we're estimating repairs on the house and while I'm an expert on the inside- I don't have good knowledge on lawn and garden - plus - I'm from the northeast so this would require different grass plants ect.  Good suggestion on the farm store!

Another question - the north side of the property line buffers to a few mobile homes (actually more like trailers) - I'm thinking about a PVC fence there to screen - but in the Northeast, I'd plan a cedar hedge in front of that - would that be good for East Texas - and by the way, this is Port Lavaca, on the inland waterway (but not water frontage) of Gulf.

Thanks All - interestingly enough- I started with State Farm in the property's community (Port Lavaca Tx) they had a company (forget the name) who writes vacant property.  Went through all the info and they said (at the very end) - oh sorry - we can't do that in Port Lavaca.   Then called Geico - ended up referring me to the same carrier that State Farm did - so I cut that conversation short.

Great Advice Hattie - thanks. 

I'm about to purchase a vacant house to rehab in Texas (it's owned by a friend who received it as part of an estate) - any leads on where I can get a vacant house insurance policy. Called a few insurance companies (national) and they don't provide.

thanks,

steve

Hi - Looking for some advice on the best way (and cost estimate) to de-foliate an overgrown property in East Texas. Grass is overgrown and unrully. Vines and ivy in chain link fence ect. Some stuff on house. I'm from northeast (got this property as an inheritance) wondering what best to do with house in texas - looking for most cost effective systems - ARV is about $65,000 for this single family. Thanks!

Thanks for all the great suggestions - and yes, the interior did have on it paneling (not an interior masonry) but these are total guts, and older - so I am assuming on the inside we will have to replace whatever they used formerly - and wanted to know the best system. - I will have to run utilities inside, so knew I needed space for that. - I had learned this the hard way doing a renovation in vermont, which looked like a stud built farmhouse (with vinyl exterior) built in the 1950's - It turned out to be a "hand sawn" log home. - no room for running utilities, we had to 'hat channel' the interior. needless to say - it was not level.

On the exterior - for vinyl - what should the intervals be for proper vinyl be?

Thanks.

Hi - I'm looking at 2 properties to re-hab which are concrete block exterior walls (in one case 2 story, the other 1 story). One of them has stucco siding, which is "dated" in New England - the other is vinyl.

Question - what is the property "construction technique" for applying either say wood clapboard or cedar shingles over concrete - do you "strap" the concrete with wood - or, are say "concrete nails" sufficient" - also - what is standard for the interior walls - screwing a 2 X 4 against the wall (at 16" intervals) and then sheet-rocking over that? looking for some ideas to make construction estimates.