Construction/Remod question...

[284]

(sorry cliff, but this probably won't interest you)

My sig and I are thinking about buying a (single level) modular on some land. The modular is newer and has a full, finished basement. The unit itself is in serious need of cosmetic repairs inside and the dorks that had it redid the whole floor by just going over the orig one, laying tile/carpet and pergo in various rooms.
Real crappola job makes me think they saw a couple of "flip" shows on tv and gave it a try--but failed.

The mod is unsat for us due to typical modular size and shape. We're seriously lowballing it, so an almost complete demo could be in the making, but, as long as everything is already there.....whatcha'll think about expanding it?

How?

Pop-top?
Demo it down to the first subfloor and start again?

pros/cons?
???

[cowdawg]

Can't it be lifted off the basement with a crane and then a new build on the basement?

[Shorty Pimp]

(sorry cliff, but this probably won't interest you)

My sig and I are thinking about buying a (single level) modular on some land. The modular is newer and has a full, finished basement. The unit itself is in serious need of cosmetic repairs inside and the dorks that had it redid the whole floor by just going over the orig one, laying tile/carpet and pergo in various rooms.
Real crappola job makes me think they saw a couple of "flip" shows on tv and gave it a try--but failed.

The mod is unsat for us due to typical modular size and shape. We're seriously lowballing it, so an almost complete demo could be in the making, but, as long as everything is already there.....whatcha'll think about expanding it?

How?

Pop-top?
Demo it down to the first subfloor and start again?

pros/cons?
???

Tile/carpet and pergo? You pretty much have to rip it up. Sucks to be you. My advice is to get the knee pads with the gel in them.

[284]

Can't it be lifted off the basement with a crane and then a new build on the basement?
Probably very easily, specially on a windy day. However, depending upon what the final price is, we might be paying for a house we don't want. And tearing it down will do nothing but add to the cost of it due to demo.
I did find out there's no restrictions on burning out there tho.
Might load up on some 55 gal barrrels.

Shorty, due to their construction expertise, that flooring should come off pretty easily.

[cciota]

If you haven't bought it already, find something else. Find something that needs some TLC but it sound like what you are thinking of purchasing needs a ton of TLC. I've done alot of remodels and fixing crap other people have installed sucks! It's a never ending battle. If you are intent on buying it, take the existing mod off the foundation, shit can it and put up something you want. Ther are architects and engineers that can design anything you want and make it fit your foundation. But my first choice would be to find something else. It's not worth the cost.That is just my two cents! Good Luck.

[284]

If you are intent on buying it, take the existing mod off the foundation, shit can it and put up something you want.
I figure between the basement and utils (well, septic, phone, elect) already there, those would be worth about 30K. So I'm looking at it costing 30K.

Modulars use 2x6 framing, right?
They also use cheap plastic plumbing tho. And cheapie walls.
This is why I'm thinking it might be good to rip it down to the framing, then use that as the "core" of a new house. First floor is about 3.5ft above grade, so might be able to extend the front out and down, using crawlspace/caissons for foundations. It'd have to be livingroom type space as all the plumbing will stay back up w/the original foundation's location.

[cowdawg]

With your abilites I would think you can do a remod and keep it affordable if you don't want to tear it out and start over. Any mechians needing work? ;)

[Odd Al]

Most modulars do use 2x6s for the exterior framing, and along the central seam (if they have one).

As for plumbing - if it's PEX, you're in good shape (red plastic). It's supposed to be better than copper pipe. It's the polybutylene (grey plastic) that's crap.

Check to see if it's still on the frame (in the crawl space). Most older modulars are, sometimes they remove them nowdays. This may effect your ability to remove the whole thing cheaply, if you go that route.

Modulars often use odd roof pitches also, so check that before you go ordering trusses to extend it length-wise.

I live in a modular. Very well insulated. Cheap fixtures (electrical, appliances).

[cciota]

I figure between the basement and utils (well, septic, phone, elect) already there, those would be worth about 30K. So I'm looking at it costing 30K.

Modulars use 2x6 framing, right?
They also use cheap plastic plumbing tho. And cheapie walls.
This is why I'm thinking it might be good to rip it down to the framing, then use that as the "core" of a new house. First floor is about 3.5ft above grade, so might be able to extend the front out and down, using crawlspace/caissons for foundations. It'd have to be livingroom type space as all the plumbing will stay back up w/the original foundation's location.

2x6 up north and 2x4 down south, I think. Just do yourself on favor. Pull the proper permits especially if your doing structural modifications. So many people don't pull the right permits or any at all, and when it comes time to sell the place, they are screwed. Either way you go, you definitely have a project on you hands. Let me know how it goes.

[284]

Yeah, project is it. We'd build our own, but soon we're going to have a kid on hand (teenager) with the possibility of another one, so living in a 5th wheel w/them while constructing is out of the question.
On the bright side, my sig knows a little about construction--but can follow orders pretty good. ;)
Let me know how it goes.
I'll post some pix before the demo and after, that is if no one noticed all that AN I purchased...

[Shadow Walker]

I absolutely hate re-modeling. Trying to correct other peoples goofs and bad construction is worth the effort. Much rather build from scratch.

If you have any experience building, you should be able to lay out your own house plan. I build one vacation house from plans I drew in fifteen minutes on a brown paperbag. It ain't hard.

You should also be able tie into the present plumbing without a whole bunch of trouble.

As I live in a no permit area of the state, I don't know what problem you will have there.

[N/A]

(sorry cliff, but this probably won't interest you)

?


Ok, then......I'll just take care of the "sig" for you while you get a proper place ready...and she can keep me sober...and you can keep the teenagers for cheap labor. By gawd, when a friend is in need....I'm right there with the precise help that is needed.

[blobman]

you got the right idea,just give a really low offer and if it goes thru your ok on $,its just like bidding a realaly shitty job,only in reverse

[HDR]

With fixer-uppers buy low, fix up, but never spend more than the potiential re-sale value.

I know that sounds obvious.. ;)

[ibew163]

Is the location in a booming market area? Don't waste your time if at the end of the project it sits in the middle of a bunch of run of the mill properties and its value will be based on the current value of homes in the area.
Where I am, modular is a great value to buy new as compared to stick built. But I have never really heard of anyone trying to rip down a modular, rebuild, and turn a profit. Unless this is one of the chosen few in a well to do area, and you can see the dollar signs at the end of the rainbow.
If you choose to do it, don't forget, your time is worth money too. Don't short change yourself.
Best of luck to you either way.

[Shorty Pimp]

Shorty, due to their construction expertise, that flooring should come off pretty easily.

I'm just finishing up taking care of the slop work done by the previous owners of my house. Lucky for me, all I had to do was pull a lot of cheap carpet as far as the floors. Everything is hardwood underneath. As for everything else, I just have to shake my head whenever I tear into something. These idiots constructed a built-in closet in our basement that utilized turnbuckles to keep it square. Turnbuckles.

[284]

Speaking of "back of the napkin" blueprints, I did one last nite:
I beam structure in concrete. This will allow opening the thing up and not worrying about any load bearing walls.

Sink I beams, vertically into concrete at each corner of the house, outside the house. I beams will extend past the interior ceiling height enough to add another level and shed roof.
On the short sides (of the house), run two I-beams outside the house (to be covered later), connecting the corners.
Then cut holes in the house along the front and back (longest sides) just under the ceiling and slide in I-beams there.
Once connected, there will be a complete steel I-beam frame thru-around the house. This will be the load bearing frame.
Now sink other I-beams into concrete where perimeter will be expanded to and attach them via I-beams to the ones at/thru the house.
Now can start tearing down/building out.

You should also be able tie into the present plumbing without a whole bunch of trouble.
As I live in a no permit area of the state, I don't know what problem you will have there.
I think I'm going to keep the existing house the way it is, then build "out" by expanding bedrooms/livingrooms, thus keep the plumbing mods minimal, if any.
This is rural--and no subdivision--so s/b county only rules.

the "sig"...can keep me sober...
She's doing that w/me. Now the only altercations I get in is the ones she starts...

its just like bidding a really shitty job,only in reverse
Never thought of it that way. I usually bid high, then do shit work, stating rework is free. :D

It's on the next corridor for growth, but that won't happen for a while due to the infil needed and the downward trend in RE market, nationwide and colorado in particular.

but never spend more than the potiential re-sale value.
I know that sounds obvious.
The catch is, costing the labor of me, sig and kid(s). As uppity as she is, I know she's not cheap. I've seen a lot of "businessmen" bid jobs but never take into consideration their own cost.

But I have never really heard of anyone trying to rip down a modular, rebuild, and turn a profit.
She knows a guy that got one for 100K, then sold it later for 300K.
(Note: the "K" not to be confused w/the "K" on this board)
The thing is, land is expensive in CO due to most of it being shit and so many people wanting to move here. Bidding for it comes down to 160 acre price for me is for 1-4 units vs.a developer bidding on it to stick on a bunch of 300K homes on 3 acre plots. The developer outbids the owner/occupant every time and that's also how the land is priced.

The value is in the land and colorado has a "35 acre rule", so parcels 35 and above are at a premium. 35 acres = one home. If you have 40 acres, can't put two houses on it due to each one not having 35 acres. The way around this is to make it a "subdivision". Not worth it for smaller guys/tracts.

a lot of cheap carpet as far as the floors. Everything is hardwood underneath.
I did that for a relative's house. On the bright side, the hardwood underneath was in excellent condition except at the entranceway/doorway where the carpet kept the water (from snow/rain on boots/shoes). They resoved that by nailing down a piece of plastic. Well, for some reason the water followed the nails down and into the hardwood floor. Who'da thunk?

I was bored so I cut out the hardwood there and put in a tile entryway.
The tile/stone in this house was done by an offspring of picasso.
Who's blind.
And cannot feel.
...and probably was drunk most of the time.