All Forum Posts by: Marty Gordon

I have a ton of experience doing basement apartments.  I would love to advise you on it, but I live in Ontario, and even around here, the bylaws vary greatly from one city to the next.  There is always the Ontario Building Code that we must meet, but local laws can require even HIGHER standards when it comes to safety, etc.  I would assume the same sort of code system is in place where you live.

From my experience working with a ton of other investors and listening to THEIR horror stories, the biggest mistakes that they make are:

1. Taking a crappy property in to the portfolio/management -This leads to nothing but headaches.  (constant repairs, and attracts bad tenants)

2. Being extremely CHEAP when it comes to repairing damages.  There is a cheap way, but certain things need to be done properly.

3. Doing TOO MUCH for your tenants.  -If you set the wrong standard that you are there to CATER to your tenants, many of them develop entitlement and start requesting things that are unreasonable.

4. Allowing late payments to go unchecked.  It's important to file eviction notices/warnings immediately when rent is not paid.  If it's late, you can always call off the eviction, but atleast you started the process.

5. Judge people by their looks.  If they are missing teeth, and the have ripped clothes, your apartment will end up the same.

Hmmm, I guess nobody needs a carpenter? lol.  Just kidding.

I would most definitely spray foam the basement walls.  I've done several basement apartments myself, and if you strip them down to bare walls, that's the perfect opportunity to spray foam insulate the basement before refinishing it.  I posted a video of us having it done on my blog. You might wanna check it out.  

As for flooring, a laminate click flooring is what I usually go with.

https://www.facebook.com/EverythingScottMcgillivray/videos/1054585947970732/

We recently flipped a house with HGTV star Scott McGillivray.  The project was filmed for a pilot episode for his NEW show "Buyer's Bootcamp". 

I'm super excited to see how we look on the big screen!  I'd appreciate anyone's support because this is a big opportunity for us!

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Wish us LUCK!!!!!!

I would definitely use a belt sander to get any high points, and then self-levelling cement on any low spots.  Wear a respirator if sanding adhesives.

Sheet vinyl is a good temporary and cheap option for rentals.  I usually end up tiling any  wet zones but if time or budget is an issue, you can use sheet vinyl.  I wouldn't use any "stick down" tiles because they have seams in them.  If any water or sand gets in the seams, there will be product failure shortly thereafter.  I full sheet of vinyl can be cut to fit a room, and then caulk the perimeter to ensure nothing get below. 

There are benefits to pex piping.  You can do continuous runs with zero 90's which actually provides better flow.  That particular brand of pex you have has smaller insert type fittings with the crimp ring system so I wouldn't use it.  There is another brand called Wirsbo or Uponor that uses slightly larger diameter fittings and doesn't have 'crimp' rings.  It has a flaring tool with expansion rings that slip over the fittings and shrink back down over to compress and seal.  It's much better in my opinion.  I would never use copper for anything these days except where stubbing out through the wall in an exposed area.  EVERY LEAK that I've ever fixed was a copper sweat joint.  Wirsbo is pretty darn good.  Plus, no condensation on the cold line.

I have done this many times.  You definitely want to remove all wood trim/mouldings in the shower and cover the remaining structural parts with a KERDI membrane like what Home depot sells.  Then you can tile over top of the membrane.  grout, and caulk the seams.