All Forum Posts by: Ryan R.

Keep us updated. Interested to see how it comes out. 

Also, find out the PSI for the bagwall concrete. I think shotcrete is closer to 5,000 PSI whereas the bags are about half that; I could be wrong though. Also, ask about fiber reinforcement for the shotcrete. I think it's popular for pool construction now to make the structure even stronger. Might be a good addition for this project. 

From where I'm sitting, I'd say you're going to have an erosion problem at grade first. I would try and shore up the areas where those deck supports are. Are they cemented in into the soil or are they set down into the rock? 

I've never been fond of those bag walls myself, and at the cost quoted, it sounds ridiculous. 

If it were my place, I would look into a "shotcrete" solution. Basically drill into the rock and form a rebar cage around the rock. Then shoot it with a concrete layer, much like a pool is formed. If you're just trying to control erosion, which is what it looks like, then you just need a barrier that is going to stand between the rock and the swift water. You could probably hire out or perform the driling and rebar aspects yourself, just have a crew come in and spray the concrete; surely you could achieve this for less than $42,000.!  

I have used Kodiak engineered wood. It went together well; good fit/finish. It's help up well. 

Little known fact: These two guys are the originators of real estate wholesaling. 

Can you tell us more about the foundation requirements and changes needed to accomplish this? What type of foundation is this? What was the most important component to making this possible ( footer depth, width )? What tests did the engineer perform? 

Jon, this little disclaimer at the bottom, NOTE: Rates shown are a percentage of the labor force, makes me wonder how accurate these numbers really are. What are the unemployment percentages if we use the labor participation numbers from the previous years?  

In my opinion, the best mentor and mentee relationships are free, in that no money is exchanged. 

I would tell the prospective mentor that you respect and admire what they do and would like to learn from them. Ask them if they would be willing to mentor you. Ask if you can accompany them when they view properties, when they negotiate with contractors, when they negotiate with suppliers etc. 

So what value does the Mentor receive for this? First, they will feel good about helping a younger form of themself. Almost all people learn their trade/craft from another person, so they are just passing along what they learned. Second, you will learn to help them out by running errands (picking-up materials), supervising contractors working on properties, making the lunch run for the mentor etc. etc. etc.  

I would identify a few of these builders and investors whom you are familiar with and have an affinity for and then ask one of them if they would be interested in mentoring you. Pretty straightforward.

Also, the comparison between a surgeon and real estate investor is not a good one in my opinion. There are so many variables and market changes etc. in real estate that if you are pursuing some panacea in real estate proficiency, I doubt you will ever start investing. 

I get mine from Builddirect.com. 

@Rocky V. how have the 7mm laminate floors failed that you've had to redo? The only advantage to the 12mm laminate over 7mm is the wear rating and the rigidity. In a non-commercial application the wear rate for 7mm should be adequate. The rigidity should not be important as long its's installed over a proper sub-floor. 

Also, there's a big difference in flooring manufacturers and their quality. 

This is the best photo of the floor that I have on my iPad. Your average joe won't know that it's not real wood.