My disaster in home repairs

Aunt Marg said:
In additional to, Deb, store contractors, the guys (and gals) that actually are hired by chain stores to install flooring, cabinetry, etc, are held accountable, so while you may pay a little more for such services, you are pretty much guaranteed a job well done in the end, and it will be done right.
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I recommended that but like most of the other suggestions an excuse for not at least having a general contractor from either Home Depot or Lowes come over to give an estimate was ignored.

It's not like deb doesn't recognize the house is a disaster just look at how she titled this thread.
 
I’m not for supporting Deb if I think she’s making a bad decision. I think she’s in denial about how bad the house really is at the moment and how much it will cost to restore a house like this.

Even if she decides to stay and get it fixed, her health is certainly at risk. If she’s got windows rotting away so badly that all the brick and mortar is literally crumbling under each of the 30 windows, that’s bad. She’s got vine roots growing in her attack and it’s damp. Considering heat rises and water falls, this house is a health hazard.

What do I think is more important?
Debs health and well being over fixing the house. Sometimes in life you have to know when to hang on and when to let go and this is definitely one of those times.

Knowing the damage adding a back deck without flashing did to our back wall was certainly eye opening and took a lot amount of money and work. It’s shocking what you see inside the walls when there’s water damage. The wood holding the house up can turn to sawdust.
 

noopdoggy said:
I bet you have to hold your nose to live there. yick!
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I am probably used to it, but other people that have been inside usually comment on the odor. My mom, having had many cats over the years, doesn't help, either. Look what they did to the floor in one area. I can't even open the door there because the floor is so warped from the moisture:

floor.jpg
 
debodun said:
I am probably used to it, but other people that have been inside usually comment on the odor. My mom, having had many cats over the years, doesn't help, either. Look what they did to the floor in one area. I can't even open the door there because the floor is so warped from the moisture:

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If you're trying to convince us that your house is beyond your ability to repair it or live in it, you did that with your first few posts. Now you have to convince yourself and act on it.
 
I pointed out many times to her the things need to be done, but she never wanted contractors working and disturbing her routine and tranquility. Since it was her house at the time, there's nothing I could do about it. I have already spent thousands on it and it doesn't look any better. I get rid if the vine and find deteriorated mortar. I have the porch painted and then find sheets of latex paint hanging down. I had the front roof re-shingled and the workers bent the rain gutter by leaning their ladder against it and wouldn't admit it (see photo). Everything I have done requires more work to fix. After a while it just gets discouraging realizing I am throwing good money after bad; pedaling the bike faster and faster but not going anywhere.

gutter2.jpg
 
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debodun said:
I pointed out many times to her the things need to be done, but she never wanted contractors working and disturbing her routine and tranquility. Since it was her house at the time, there's nothing I could do about it. I have already spent thousands on it and it doesn't look any better. I get rid if the vine and find deteriorated mortar. I have the porch painted and then find sheets of latex paint hanging down. I had the front roof re-shingled and the workers bent the rain gutter by leaning their ladder against it and wouldn't admit it (see photo). Everything I have done requires more work to fix. After a while it just gets discouraging realizing I am throwing good money after bad; pedaling the bike faster and faster but not going anywhere.

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As overwhelming at it may seem, you have to start somewhere, Deb, and that's starting with one or two people who have a good solid understanding related to all things construction. Bent and/or sagging gutters are unimportant for now.

What I'd love to see is you have the moisture damage under your windows repaired, the ceiling in your kitchen redone, have your wiring looked at, along with whatever plumbing may be causing you grief, and from there you can move forward with whatever else you may want to change, replace, or redo.

Cleaning up and rectifying the worst of it is important, not only from the standpoint of your health and safety, but from the standpoint of resale value. Having a professional walk you through all that needs doing will bring you up to speed on what exactly you'll be looking at (work needing done, time, money, yada-yada), and then you'll be able to weigh and mull things over.

Sometimes things look worse than they are, and once one or two things are repaired, more often than not, that's all that's needed to inspire you to get busy on the rest.

I don't believe for a minute that your home is a lost cause, and at the end of the day, taking a huge hit on resale vs spending a little to get back a lot, AND, at the same time being able to enjoy a safe, healthy, and liveable home, makes more sense.
 
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Not sure what county you're in, but, in Saratoga county I found a few inspection charts...But remember, these are average and things like multi story buildings are usually higher.
This is where I would start.

electrical insp. plumbing inspec. foundation insp. mold insp roof insp. Total average
low 104 low 101 low 1203 low 274 low 103* low 1785
high 840 high 732 high 2054 high 430 high 829* high 4885

* 2 story or more will be higher
 
Deb you have pictures & explanations throughout this thread of the home you live in. What you haven't explained since you know your home is as you put it "A disaster in home repairs" why you don't move. What is keeping you in that home?
 
debodun said:
Yes I am in Saratoga County and I have a 2-story home, 2500 sq ft.
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Based upon everything you have said, and the pictures you have posted, I would guess that if someone from the State Health Department ever inspected this house, they would say it is "unfit for human habitation".

Not only does it seem to be falling apart, but the fact that there is so much water damage would be a Strong indicator that Mold and Mildew is rapidly taking over the entire structure. This alone, is a major hazard that will eventually destroy your health if you continue to live there.

Donate it to a charity, and let them figure out if they can reap any benefits from it....perhaps the land it is sitting on has some value....the house, itself, would cost far more than it is worth to make it liveable.

At any rate, start making plans to move....Soon.
 
debodun said:
I am probably used to it, but other people that have been inside usually comment on the odor. My mom, having had many cats over the years, doesn't help, either. Look what they did to the floor in one area. I can't even open the door there because the floor is so warped from the moisture:

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And how long has this floor been like this? What’s the reason you didn’t get it fixed? Isn’t parting with money the main issue? Aren’t you trying to get list of contractors so you can find the cheapest price possible?

With all this water/pee damage in your house, it can’t be a healthy place to live. I think even renting a different place for a month, you’ll find a vast improvement. You don’t know the damage it’s doing and how it’s affecting your health ‘cause you don’t know any different

You know you aren’t going to get all these repairs done. I know I’m sounding like a pessimist but I’ve lived with people just this and trying to get them to see things differently is basically impossible. It’s an ingrained mindset that’s not going to change any time soon.
 
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Don M. said:
Based upon everything you have said, and the pictures you have posted, I would guess that if someone from the State Health Department ever inspected this house, they would say it is "unfit for human habitation".

Not only does it seem to be falling apart, but the fact that there is so much water damage would be a Strong indicator that Mold and Mildew is rapidly taking over the entire structure. This alone, is a major hazard that will eventually destroy your health if you continue to live there.

Donate it to a charity, and let them figure out if they can reap any benefits from it....perhaps the land it is sitting on has some value....the house, itself, would cost far more than it is worth to make it liveable.

At any rate, start making plans to move....Soon.
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That’s where I was going next. Contractors may have to by law report your house to authorities and have it condemned/ boarded up / unfit for living . If you contact a realtor they may say the same thing. You should at least have your house evaluated to see how much it’s worth. It might be best off being taken down and the land being sold for a new constructed house.
 
No response to this one I posted quite awhile back.


Knight said:
Way back probably months ago when you 1st. started to describe repairs needed I thought selling would be the best option.
With all the recent repairs needed to your crumbling home If you do decide to sell the buyers will want a list of all that needs repaired or they probably have a professional home inspector write up all that is needed.
I think if either or both of those happen there would be a good chance your home would be condemned as uninhabitable. You may even wind up having to pay for demolition.
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I'm beginning to suspect Deb likes the attention her disaster of a home is generating for her.
 
debodun said:
You'll be happy to know that I've contacted a home inspection service. The ball is in their court, but being the weekend, I don't expect a response until next week. http://www.ihi-ny.com/
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That's a good....and Very Necessary first step. Now, take the next few days, and start thinking about what you need to do if the inspectors report is discouraging. Moving, especially when a person is "attached" to their lifestyle, can be a bit traumatic.
 
debodun said:
I researched inspection services online and hers has a high rating on several sites. She fairly local, also. I am just worn out trying to find individual project contractors. Maybe she can sort out what should be given priority.
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Realtors and home inspectors have a LOT of contacts. Plus it will be good for you to get a professional opinion. She might offer some alternatives you hadn’t thought of before and help give you a fresh different perspective.

Plus you should find out how much damage your house has and how much it will cost to fix it. You could also find out approximately how much it’s currently worth. Without this information it’s impossible to know what to do first.
 
debodun said:
I researched inspection services online and hers has a high rating on several sites. She fairly local, also. I am just worn out trying to find individual project contractors. Maybe she can sort out what should be given priority.
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Fingers are crossed for you, Deb! :)
 
Being a senior citizen Deb and living in a home in such poor condition, I'm surprised no one has reported you to Adult Protective Services for self-neglect. Some things they look for when investigating an individual are living alone, filth or bad odors, hazardous, unsafe, or unclean living conditions, major repairs that are needed and not done.
 

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