How predatory remodeling ruined my house in a matter of days after closing
With the laundry room floor cured, I hook up the washer and dryer to the new water and HVAC connections. This is the first time we’ve had working laundry facilities in 7 1/2 months (since demolition began on June 25, 2013).
On this same day, the plumber bills me for parts used to date: $1,190.61. This does not include labor. I will be billed for additional parts and labor when the job is complete.
The plumber discovers that the refrigerator has been placed without a shut-off valve for the water / icemaker line, making it impossible to pull the fridge away from the wall without rupturing the line and spraying water everywhere.
Downstairs, this same water / icemaker line was installed with an illegal self-tapping saddle valve which pierces a main copper water pipe. These are not allowed in Minnesota (and a growing number of other states) because they are prone to leaks.
The plumber begins replacing all of the faulty copper water pipes in the house with pex piping, piece by piece.
He also adds a proper water shut-off valve behind the refrigerator.
Most of the new plumbing work is readily visible in the open walls of the downstairs bathroom.
A new silcock shut-off valve is installed in the mechanical room (instead of in a ceiling access panel), but not hooked up to the water main yet.
My 16 year old water heater tank begins leaking. I call my plumber to schedule an emergency replacement.
A water heater typically lasts about 12 years, so the previous one had had a good life. It’s age was known before I bought the house, so no nefarious activity was involved. However, the timing of this replacement certainly adds to my financial burden: another $440.00 in parts.
Several friends organize a fundraiser party to coincide with my birthday. The event draws 96 people and raises approximately $3000.00.
I begin dry-fitting conduit parts for a new household network. This will replace the non-functional telephone (RJ45) and CATV coax cable wall outlets the flipper had installed.
I draw up floor plans and apply for a residential building permit. This will cover the work done by my general contractor, and the remaining plumbing work that still needs to be inspected.
I begin work on the household network by removing CATV coax cable plates (which were screwed directly to the drywall) and installing old-work junction boxes that have been modified to accept conduit connectors. ($36.22)
I continue work on the household network, installing junction boxes and running conduit.
I also purchase a couple 4′ x 8′ sheets of drywall ($13.68) as a test to see if they can fit down the staircase and turn a tight corner into the lower level. The sheets make the turn, but just barely. The stairwell walls will need new paint.
My application is approved and I purchase a basement remodel building permit for the remaining work on the house. ($540.06)
