Yesterday, I was called by a previous client to look at her home on her home. She told me she was ready to sell her home, but there were some repairs that were need before that could happen. At that point she asked me if I could provide her the name of a structural engineer. My interest was peaked!
She met with the engineer whose name I provided her with. And after that meeting she called me and set up an appointment to look at the home. When I arrived, the home looked to be in good shape with large out buildings setting on a large acreage. While taking a tour of the upstairs she began to tell me
her tale.
Her son had finished the basement with two bedrooms a full bath, kitchen and family room. He and his wife and child planned to live there and eventually purchase the home from his mother. It was decided that since the home would stay in the family they would not go through with the extra expense and anticipated aggravation of applying for building permit.
Somewhere along the line it was decided that the master bedroom had to have an egress window installed. She hired a local contractor to do the work. And in addition to never being completed the results were disastrous. The earth was scraped away from the home reveling the foundation. At that point a portion of the foundation was chipped and sawed away to create a hole for the window however in so doing they also removed the supporting lintel used to support the brick wall. The opening was
framed with 2 X 4 lumber. This is where the engineer came in and blew a gasket. At this point the structural integrity of the entire west wall of the home had been compromised and is in jeopardy of collapsing or at the very least in danger of shifting.
With the engineer providing a clear path to restore the integrity of the foundation and a compliant egress window the owner is now interviewing competent contractors licensed to work within Adams County. The work will be completed signed off by an engineer removing liability from the owner and the
house can be sold with the proper disclosures.
Why am I writing this? Simple when it comes to your home chances are it is your largest investment! Do not jeopardize it. If you plan on remodeling your home or finishing your basement check with you county and comply with any permits needed to do so. Even if there is no immediate intention to sell your home you never know what the future holds. Issued permits are a matter of public records and
easily discovered.by mortgage companies as well as potential buyers. When hiring a general contractor be sure they are licensed in the county the work is to be done in and ask them about securing a permit.
If they indicate that a permit is not necessary, BE VERY WEARY. Unless you are knowledgeable in construction techniques that inspector is the personal the contractor is accountable to.
By the same token If you are Buying or Selling a home hire a profession experienced full time Realtor. You are paying for their knowledge and experience. If one goes haywire that experience and knowledge could save you far more that the commission or fee you will be paying. Realtors advertising cut rate fees
will most likely provide cut rate service.
Frank Lallas
Broker / Owner
Lallas Real Estate Co. LLc
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