All Forum Posts by: Ryan Judy

Hi Lien ,

I get the new construction vs renovating 50% , etc , I just don’t see anywhere in the Massachusetts building code that states a 3 family has to be sprinklered , even though everyone seems to say it does . 

Defiantly hope the town agrees to it , I’m not trying to create anything ridiculous, but I think sprinklers would be cost prohibitive, and additionally difficult as one of the units is rented. 

Is it general knowledge that one must bring a property to today’s building code for a conversion ? It’s not a requirement in the code that I could find either .

Sorry if I seem to be questioning everyone ! I just want to find this stuff in writing !

also - I don't think it's the unit with the Rear unit , it's on church St , wasn't MLS listed , owner sold it directly
  

Ian , it’s out in Marlborough...  so adding sprinklers is required to convert from two to 3 must be Boston city code because I don’t see anything in the state building code . (Code even implies a new 3 family would not need to be sprinklered) 

Interesting , I guess I need to find a new architect as the current one has already designed a building that I discovered was too tall For the towns zoning . When you say registered - he is with the state , and an engineer as well , are there architects that specialize in zoning ? 

Also noticed since you are a RA - the side story here is he has already done the construction documents , and they won’t meet code , he claims I will have to pay for these changes After the fact because I authorized the completion of the documents , But I was under the assumption that the project designed would have to meet code . Does that sound typical ? 

Does anyone have any experience converting a two family to a three, or doing major renovations of a two / three family?

It is somewhat town specific but I am having trouble interpreting fire code for automatic sprinklers on a large renovation. Town says I will need to install them but If I am reading code correctly it should only apply to new construction buildings over 4 units. 

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter148/Section26i

They also don't seem to give specifics on what "substantially renovated is" But a court case ruling gave this clarification: 

“… in order to require the installation of sprinklers in an existing multi-unit residential building, the rehabilitation must be so substantial that the physical structure is rendered ‘the equivalent of new construction,’ i.e., in essence as good as new. Where the rehabilitation is suitably substantial in this regard, a corollary is that the cost of installation of automatic sprinklers ordinarily will approximate the cost of installing sprinklers in a comparable newly constructed building.”

I have recently purchased my first investment property - a two family in Marlborough, MA.

I was somewhat lucky that the first floor came already rented with a long term tenant. The 2nd floor was gutted by the previous owner who gave up on the reno. There is a large attic I would like to convert in to a studio apartment if I can make the numbers work. (have already had an architect do plans)

Have met with a few contractors that I found off Home Advisor / Houzz , but keep feeling that they are too targeted towards retail / consumer jobs . I don't need design centers and fancy sales presentations, I'm looking for someone with more experience contracting for investors. 

I would appreciate any recommendations for contractors that fellow Bigger Pockets investors have used and were happy with. Thanks!

Sorry to bring up a 3 year old thread but in the exact same situation (and in Massachusetts) Just wondering how this panned out Robert. 

Even though the tenant is at will and in theory should vacate with 30 days notice , I doubt any lender will lend on it as owner occupied without the sale being contingent on the current owner having one of the units vacated. 

So basically I'm in a bit of a bind , as I doubt the owner will allow the contingency of the unit being vacant, but don't think I will be able to secure owner occupied financing without it.