A new inspection to decide what to repair first?

We’ve been in our Bed-Stuy brownstone for eight years and are, finally, thinking about doing some renovation and structural repairs and need help figuring out scope, and which projects to tackle first. Is getting a new inspection the place to start? Who do you recommend?

Richards

in Inspection 10 years ago

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cate | 10 years ago

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Re the specific jobs you mention above, you could get a siding expert to check out the siding (not the brick beneath) and a roofer to check the age of the roof and what is needed. Adding a post in the basement is a small job but needs to be done correctly. We got an outfit that does a lot with pest control construction, basement structure, fencing, cement to do work like this. An inspector can go over everything, estimate the age of systems, and prioritize what needs to be replaced. It’s not rocket science though. You probably have a pretty good idea yourself.

Richards | 10 years ago

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Thanks everyone. I’m beginning to think I might simply need a general contractor. I know we need to add a post to one end of the central beam in our basement to solve some sagging, should probably remove the vinyl siding to check on pointing on the back of the building and need someone to give us an estimate on the longevity of our roof. A general contractor would help us decide how best to allocate our repair budget, right?

greenmountain | 10 years ago

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Why not start with bathrooms and kitchens? Almost every system in the house runs through bathrooms and kitchens. A kitchen might require an electric upgrade. A bathroom might require changes in your plumbing. Worry about the walls, ceilings, and surfaces before you open them for pipes and wires. And then know that your new decorative surfaces are protected by modern waterproof membranes. New tile, fixtures and appliances will most practically impact your lives, and are full of design decisions. While costs vary, you may want to know in the beginning, and you may save money by planning for them first and balancing your other priorities. Green Mountain is in Local Home Pros, under kitchens and bathrooms

mtanski | 10 years ago

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I think a good inspector will give you an idea about what deficiencies you have now and what deficiencies will be coming up. For example, how many years of useful life do you have have your roof, your facade, your stoop, external weather proofing. They will also give you useful tips on how to extend the life further of some of these. Additionally, they’ll be able to give you a (non-binding) ballpark how much it’ll cost. It’s nice to get that from a non-biased third party (no skin in the construction game). If know this already, then you can prob skip that. A brownstone inspection is what ~ $800 so not bad in the grand scheme of a larger renovation. Good luck.

slopefarm | 10 years ago

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Not sure you want an inspector. I would generate a list of what you think you definitely want to do and also what is on the maybe list. Start interviewing architects – walk through the house with them. See what they agree on and what they do not, what they say needs to be done and what they say is more optional. You will want an architect anyway, so let the interview process also help you move your thinking along. When you pick the architect you like, then you can hammer out scope in greater detail. You will refine the scope further when you bid out the job to contractors and walk through the house with them.