All Forum Posts by: Tom Fidrych

I got quotes for $12-14K to replace a 50' sewer line that was 2' deep so coordinated it myself. Hired a concrete saw guy to cut the concrete driveway, excavator guy dug the trench, hauled some dirt away and dumped a load of base-rock to fill trench. I hooked up the 4" ABS line with cleanout. The next day the city inspector came out and I did the pressure check, then I back filled with a shovel(this was the toughest part but a good workout) and compacted.  Day 3 the concrete truck showed up and the driveway was done. It cost $2K so I considered it a 3 day paycheck of $10K. Had a portable toilet dropped for the 3 days too .

I wouldn't do it myself on deeper trenches as shoring will be needed.

When I sold a place a similar situation occurred. The FHA loan required an FHA inspection and I was concerned they would flag a few issues so I went with the conventional loan buyer.

Is the buyer with the FHA loan represented by an agent in the same company or a friend of the agent. There can be a conflict of interest in such situations. Ask your agent to substantiate the reason the conventional loan buyer does not seem serious.

Want better tenants, provide a better product. I'd replace all the windows with new or you are going to limit the appeal to tenants with standards. However, if the house is in a D neighborhood and most of the surrounding structures are worn out, windows likely wont make a difference.

You said you plan to level the house to change it from a 2/1 to a 3/2. Level can mean remove the home and build a new one or could mean you are going to jack the home up so as to straighten sloping floors. If you are straightening it, do this first and be prepared to repair cracked plaster, adjust door jambs, potential roof job, and such

Congratulations on your first project. I would finish this one first and then see how it penciled out.It seems you might break even or lose on this one so I wouldn't jump into the next one before you've finished the project at hand-especially if funding is limited. If you don't make money on this one, consider it an education expense and you will be in better shape for the next.

I always have a pest inspection done and a good pest inspector will find dry rot or other issues. Typically I'd ask for a credit for the repair amount. 

I would have at least 3 agents look at the property to give a price range valuation as well as their best fee structure. 

I don't have experience with the root killer but do think the contractor is correct in the need to jet the lines at least once a year. My experience is that the duration between root clogs will shorten as the roots become developed and find additional seams. Budget for a replacement line.

That will not work.

You might try contacting the person in the home first. For all you know, they may have been friends of one of the deceased and just care-taking the place.

I briefly looked over the Oakland sewer line requirements and it seems materials other then cast iron are allowed unless the line is less that 12" below soil. Is that why they are calling it out of is it a poor code interpretation by the inspector?