Move in before house is completed?
15 years ago
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- 15 years ago
- 15 years ago
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Moving into an unfinished home
Comments (13)I've done that, and it would have to be something far more dire than overlapping mortgage/rent payments to compel me to do it again. All points already made are true... it's nice to eliminate the rent; it's nice to not have to travel to/from; it's nice to have all your stuff right there. It's not nice to try to stay out of the way of subs; it's not nice to have strangers [workmen] among your personal stuff; it's not nice to endure the smells of the various finishes and materials; and it is very, very easy to say mañana to the last of the things that remain to be done. As most OBs discover, DIY projects have to be balanced along with the rest of your life, but the urgency to "get moved in" will weigh heavily to getting the house done, whether it's roofing or plumbing. However, there will come a point where one can move in even though there are many major and minor things still to be done. That's when finances and/or family matters will assume more weight which can activate the "mañana" button. And mañana can take its sweet own time to get here. Things that could have been finished within weeks if the move hadn't occurred, will take two or more years to finish because once you have actually moved in there is always something else that matters more. OBs don't have a punch list to present to the GC, but the same theory seems to apply... once you are moved into the house there is no more urgency to finish whatever is left to be done. And it's a lot harder to nag yourself than it is to nag a GC....See MoreMoving Into New Home - Clean Carpets Before or After
Comments (3)totally agree that before you move in is best time for cleaning carpets and for exterminator's visit and for chimney cleaning if not done by sellers and really for any painting that you want to have done and can afford to...See MoreMoving into unfinished home? Would you? Hold back amount?
Comments (16)To all reading this post: Please invest $100-$1500 in a good local Real Estate attorney when doing these type of deals!!! This attorney, theoretically (if s/he knows what they are doing), will not only help you navigate through these situations, he will hold the builder legally accountable and that will be plenty of motivation for the builder to manage your project with proper focus. Going forward, since your builder is so delayed, you should work out a deal with him (preferably with legal backing) that states, you will pay the invoices for labor and material when work is completed, and the balance of the money owed will be reviewed at the satisfaction of all punchlist items. Since the builder has not focused on your project thus far, perhaps this will provide enough incentive for them to complete and get paid. Otherwise, I agree with the above statement, get an estimate from someone else to complete the project and withhold that amount plus 10% (for potential price increases and administration). You can also hire the project architect (if they are experienced enough) to help you navigate through the end of the process. Again, I would not do anything without first having legal consultation and representation. Good luck with the completion of the project....See Morenew house build- countertops scratched before we’ve moved in
Comments (24)I've seen it all. So many food bags left at house being built across the street from our summer rental, that multiple skunks were regular nighttime visitors and got my dog one time, on a leash, and then chased me. When I had major remodeling done, first in 1985 and again 2000, I would watch the workmen arrive, finish their last cigarette, and then dump their ashtray, filled to the brim, on the gravel pull-off in front of our house. First GC made them pick them up, butt by butt; second said, "Oh it's just the boys being boys"! I made them pick them up, butt by butt. When the first remodeling was going done, it was a full dormer on the back of the house. There was a finished bedroom on the 2nd floor with a bathroom with tub. I watched them use the tub as a dumping ground for their drywall work. When I pointed this out to the GC, she told the dry wall men (who also stole jewelry from me - followed their white footprints to my bedroom!) to clean it out thoroughly and not use it again. They took out the big stuff and rinsed the rest down the drain. I've had multiple plumbers out over the years, and we can't find the clog, but I know there is one as the tub drains VERY slowly. I'm not replacing the plumbing from the 2nd floor to the basement! The list goes on and on and on.. I quickly came to the conclusion that most of the trades must live like swine as I'm sure they do the same thing at their own house. Pigs!...See More- 15 years ago
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