The simple truth about " REHABBED" properties 10 years as a home inspector, and i have run into an all too familiar scenario, far too often: Rehabbed homes that are mostly lipstick cosmetic improvements but without substantial updating of the major systems, ignoring or HIDING structural issues ( if not causing them by unskilled removal of walls) equipment or components of the home , townhome condo etc. Now, the experiences I’ve had in the areas around Chicagoland MAY be related to a kind of mindset whereas " caveat emptor" is the rule of the day. After all- its Chicago and yep, you are going to be infested with scammers and flim flam men convincing impressionable people that their work, as shoddy as it may be, is GOOD ENOUGH and that the bottom line is saving money -- YES, lots of home owners have to do things on the cheap - maybe because they were victim of a shady mortgage loan and are barely keeping their head above water. But i see the results of these quick fixes, stop gap repairs, fast rehabs and formulaic resurfacing of homes interiors. Want to know what the bottom line is? MANY TIMES, IT ENDS UP COSTING MUCH MORE IN TERMS OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE OR HAVING TO REDO SOMETHING MORE FREQUENTLY AT WHAT SEEMED TO BE A LOWER PRICE AT THE TIME BUT WILL QUICKLY SURPASS THE INITIAL COST OF DOING IT PROFESSIONALLY AND CORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. (AND AVOIDING COLLATERAL DAMAGES FROM SHODDY , UNSKILLED AND INEXPERIENCED WORKMANSHIP) CODE REQUIREMENTS ARE BARE MINIMUMS-- so when they claim " it is up to code" 1st of all - usually they are lying about that- they hide a lot 2nd of all - the codes are bare minimums, so they get really creative trying to save cents on the dollar. There are ways a GOOD contractor can work up to code but use common sense and a good conscience when he/ she realizes some area of concern needs a little more to make it right. |