Home and Auto Dumb Question: Any remodeling guys on this board? - Page 2

ChiefsFanatic · 05-21-2008, 10:25 PM

My wife and I are think about putting a bid on a repo house. It has a nice deck in back that needs to be refinished, and a nice size inground pool in the back. However, the people trashed it when they were being evicted. All the flooring needs to be replaced (they had put laminate flooring over carpet in a large section of the house) it needs to be repainted inside, the basement is partially finished (the walls) but needs the ceiling finished and a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table. Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms.

My question is, how much do things like that normally cost? Does anyone give free estimates? If you do the work, can you get materials at a discounted price?

Really, I have no experience with things like this, so any help would be appreciated.

05-21-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG K

That being said however, for the most part, if you do not have proper training or knowledge,

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

wutamess · 05-21-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

I thought you were a tool?

BIG K · 05-22-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

crescent wrench, soap.....

05-22-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutamess

I thought you were a tool?

You know I don't have any comeback for that. I'll just have to own it.

Duck Dog · 05-22-2008, 07:27 AM

OK, what you do is stuff a bunch a dryer sheets into the dryer vent so it over heats and starts a fire. Then you sit back, let the place burn and collect the insurance.

Easy money.

**Skip Towne** · 05-22-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck Dog

OK, what you do is stuff a bunch a dryer sheets into the dryer vent so it over heats and starts a fire. Then you sit back, let the place burn and collect the insurance.

Easy money.

Unless you get caught. Then you get free room and board for a few years.

**Dartgod** · 05-22-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duck Dog

OK, what you do is stuff a bunch a dryer sheets into the dryer vent so it over heats and starts a fire. Then you sit back, let the place burn and collect the insurance.

Easy money.

I wouldn't recommend doing this to a house you do not own yet.

I wouldn't recommend doing it to one you do own, either.

blueballs · 05-22-2008, 09:43 AM

with record numbers of people having homes repoed
who will be left with proper credit to purchase it
or your current home

Earthling · 05-22-2008, 12:07 PM

I dont know of any contractors that dont give free estimates. They would probably require access to the property to visually inspect things. It is also possible to write a bid / contract upon the repo that is "contingent" upon you getting a firm bid from a contractor, for repairs, that does not exceed a certain amount. (At least worth checking into) Best of luck.

ChiefsFanatic · 05-22-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

I'm in the flooring business but not in your area. Local flooring dealers (not the big boxes) will probably provide free estimates.

Is this a house you want to flip or a house you want to live in?

No, I am not flipping this house.

As far as the laminate over carpet, it makes the floor uneven, and gives it that bouncy, springy feeling you would get at a Funhouse or gymnastics place.

05-22-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthling

I dont know of any contractors that dont give free estimates. They would probably require access to the property to visually inspect things. It is also possible to write a bid / contract upon the repo that is "contingent" upon you getting a firm bid from a contractor, for repairs, that does not exceed a certain amount. (At least worth checking into) Best of luck.

Start getting to know them. I charge for estimates now that gas is $4+. I can't afford not to.

stlchiefs · 05-22-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic

No, I am not flipping this house.

As far as the laminate over carpet, it makes the floor uneven, and gives it that bouncy, springy feeling you would get at a Funhouse or gymnastics place.

I really questioned such flooring before, now it's starting to sound like a lot of fun.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-22-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Start getting to know them. I charge for estimates now that gas is $4+. I can't afford not to.

Well, that and you drive a rig that gets 3 feet to the gallon.

05-22-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Well, that and you drive a rig that gets 3 feet to the gallon.

You'd be surprised what that monster gets per gallon. It does a lot better than a lot of SUV's currently on the market.

RJ · 05-22-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic

No, I am not flipping this house.

As far as the laminate over carpet, it makes the floor uneven, and gives it that bouncy, springy feeling you would get at a Funhouse or gymnastics place.

Yeah, they weren't supposed to install it that way. Sort of voids the warranty and such. Not too bright.

05-21-2008, 10:25 PM
ChiefsFanatic DeadPunisher Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Blue Springs, MO. 64014 Casino cash: $1899205	Dumb Question: Any remodeling guys on this board? My wife and I are think about putting a bid on a repo house. It has a nice deck in back that needs to be refinished, and a nice size inground pool in the back. However, the people trashed it when they were being evicted. All the flooring needs to be replaced (they had put laminate flooring over carpet in a large section of the house) it needs to be repainted inside, the basement is partially finished (the walls) but needs the ceiling finished and a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table. Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms. My question is, how much do things like that normally cost? Does anyone give free estimates? If you do the work, can you get materials at a discounted price? Really, I have no experience with things like this, so any help would be appreciated.
Posts: 7,628

05-22-2008, 07:27 AM	#20
Duck Dog Reap the whirlwind Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $10004900	OK, what you do is stuff a bunch a dryer sheets into the dryer vent so it over heats and starts a fire. Then you sit back, let the place burn and collect the insurance. Easy money.
Posts: 8,902

05-22-2008, 09:43 AM	#23
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	with record numbers of people having homes repoed who will be left with proper credit to purchase it or your current home
Posts: 14,233

05-22-2008, 12:07 PM	#24
Earthling MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $10008447	I dont know of any contractors that dont give free estimates. They would probably require access to the property to visually inspect things. It is also possible to write a bid / contract upon the repo that is "contingent" upon you getting a firm bid from a contractor, for repairs, that does not exceed a certain amount. (At least worth checking into) Best of luck.
Posts: 5,995