All Forum Posts by: Lynn Currie

Great question, @J. Martin who answers many questions for many people!) that I like to bounce things off of. There are a couple of people that, without their help and nudging, I would never be doing what I'm doing today.

I do know my limits though. I'm not very regimented and teaching someone from the ground-up really isn't a good fit for my business. That's actually why I started my video series documenting the build of one of my houses and posting the videos of the speakers at a meet up that I co-host. One of my future goals is to try to be more active on BP and answer more questions here, but I tend to spend more time on job-sites these days than in front of a computer! 

@J. Martin such great points!

I think mentoring is good for both the mentor and the mentee (is that even a word?!?).

The key for me are specific questions about specific deals or situations. I'm always happy to help folks, but a blanket question of "will you mentor me" will almost certainly get a no because teaching someone from the ground up doesn't fit in with the daily running of my business.

Thanks for your input, @Karen MargraveW

We're going to try the metal corner/mud route and hope for the best. Worse case scenario, I can add the metal trim later if needed.

Here's my video where I'm on-site, analyzing a potential buy for an urban-infill project. 

As others have said in this thread, if you haven't done something like this before, don't try to go it alone.  Work with an architect, a builder, another developer or investor, or someone else who knows the ropes.

Hi @Walker Hinshaw,

I have a thread documenting one of my spec home projects that might help. I start with evaluating the land and follow the entire build. It's not done yet, but there are several videos in there that could be really useful for you.

Some of the info is Austin specific and there is so much to know that the thread can't possibly be a comprehensive "How To," but I've tried to cover off on the important points to help people out.

I'm posting another video later today where I go visit a property that one of my wholesalers flipped over to me. It shows my thought process when taking a first look. I'll post the link when it's uploaded.

Hope that helps.

I'm getting a little ahead of the videos in this post, but want to get some input from folks on a finish detail. 

We're doing sheetrock right now and I've got a couple of tricky turn-backs/corners that I'm deciding how to handle. 

The exposed wood you see is 5/8" and the sheetrock will be another 5/8", so total area to cover is 1 1/4" The house is contemporary and the doors are floor to ceiling and I won't be putting any molding around them. These are the options I'm considering, thoughts?

• Put a metal corner cap on and mud over. My tape/float guys are confident that they can make this look good.
• Put an aluminum L trim on it, something from Fry Reglet probably. I would paint it white.

@Karen Margrave, I'd love your input on the situation. Anyone else you think I should tag to ask?

Video 12:  Finalizing the Electric, Plumbing Top-Out, and HVAC Install

The trades have wrapped up their installs, and we're in the final couple of days before our 3rd party framing inspection. 

This video includes details about the installs and wiring, the tankless water heater install and how we avoid the issue of delayed hot water at the faucets, the fireplace install, and a heads up on things that need to be checked on for the kitchen and bathroom cabinet order. 

@Will R.

ATS doesn't have surveyors, I use my survey company for that. They do have inspectors and engineers.

@Will R.

For foundation pre-pour you need a couple of different types of 3rd party inspections:

• Engineers (likely the company that did your foundation design) for the pre-pour. They are confirming that the beams are the right depths and the structure of your foundation is to spec.
• Survey company for layout. They will check that the foundation is where it is supposed to be on the lot and that the finished floor height is correct.

Once you're past your foundation, you have the following:

• Structural engineers that did framing design (if applicable). Often times things are designed that need to be changed in the field. You'll want to get sign-off from the framing design team on this for both liability issues, and structural soundness. If the structure is built exactly to spec, you don't need this.
• Engineers like those at ATS
  • Framing inspection, plumbing inspection, and mechanicals inspection (called "Framing + MEP Inspection) right before you call for the city's framing inspection. They are checking to make that all is built and things installed to code. Typically, they look at your framing and truss design, but they aren't there to ensure that your crews followed the design exactly. 
  • Wallboard inspection - before tape and float, a 3rd party wallboard inspection is required. They're mainly looking for 2 things - that the screws or nails are installed to code and that the correct material is used (i.e. Hardie Backer in the wet areas).

Call ATS. http://ats-engineers.com/