Moving into a real fixer-upper; several issues

[CZroe]

I didn't read everything but spotted the poison ivy issue which is something I've had to deal with. Bayer makes a product called Brush Killer that is amazing on all kinds of ivy but not so good for other stuff. It only sort of kills other plants.

But you probably want to go with something like Ortho's Ground Clear. That will kill everything and get absorbed into the soil so it keeps anything from growing for "up to a year" as the package says.

But you have to be careful that you don't poison other nearby plants. Their root systems extend beyon the leaves. Be sure to read the instructions.

Thanks. I think I'll go with the Brush Killer, as I'll probably want a lawn. This is exactly what I was looking for. With the ivy gone I can hack/burn/eat/mow it away easily.

You want to do work, but you don't want to do too much work, is that it?



If your friends are willing to do the work for the lumber, let them do it. Preferably while you're at work or out fishing. Then you don't have to worry about how it's done.

No way. For one, I still have to deal with the anchor/support things and they know I'm getting thousands out of it.

If you can't pull them out, they'll need to be dug out. What other options do you have? You could cut them off with a torch, but you'd be leaving something really nasty buried that could be dangerous.[/quote
Yeah. I want to get them out completely. My question is mostly about what tools/equipment are best to dig something like that out. How much does it typically cost to rent a Bobcat? It is appropriate for this kind of work? I can borrow a jack-hammer if I find concrete below (gutter friend has one). There are many digging options, so it's not like the options are just "shovel or plasma cutter."

From the sounds of it, you don't have to do anything. The owner was perfectly willing to rent a dump like that to you without doing even the most basic of repairs or cleaning. There was actually someone living there before you moved in. It's probably a health hazard, but people do live in such places, hard as that may be to believe.

Every statement in this paragraph is wrong. While I am underwhelmed at the cleaning (really, the carpet needed to be replaced). Yes, there was actually someone living there before, and that person was solely responsible for the ruined gutters, pests, broken fixtures, and ruined screens. No one has "moved in" yet. I literally stopped by once every couple days to take care of what needs to be taken care of first. We haven't moved in even one chair or stool or bed or couch to sit on. "It's probably a health hazard." What? Be specific. Pet stains on the carpet? places" a single rotten board outside? A sink with one line turned off until the leak is fixed? You have a strange penchant for hyperbole.

If they aren't under the ramp, or they're also in poor shape, you'll need to replace the front steps that were removed. Might even be just a single step.

I've done similar before. Can't say I've been happy with my work, but it's at least better than theirs. Thanks.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Removing the decking and removing those supports for the pool are two different jobs. Take a shovel (spade, actually - see photo) and dig around one of the supports and first figure out what you're up against. How deep are they buried, and whether or not they're anchored in cement. You might find that you can just dig them all up by hand if you're willing to sweat a little. Just because the rednecks who lived there before couldn't pull one up with a truck means little.

 

[Charmonium]

Thanks. I think I'll go with the Brush Killer, as I'll probably want a lawn. This is exactly what I was looking for. With the ivy gone I can hack/burn/eat/mow it away easily.

You might want to go with Ground Clear. I've already killed a bunch of poison as well as regular ivy but the poison ivy seems to keep coming back. My guess is that it grows up from the root since it's too early in the season for any berries or seeds to drop. Killing the soil for a year might be your best if not prettiest option.

 

[soulcougher73]

I really hope this place rents for like $100/m. Seriously who would agree to pay someone to live in this dump lol

 

[Carson Dyle]

CZ: How's that place looking now?

 

[purbeast0]

wow just read the thread. crazy that someone would rent that and want to fix it up without much in return. i think being friends with the landlord makes things worse because now you potentially have a relationship that can get in the way of having to resolve issues. that house looks like a POS and i'd stay far far away from it.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

No way I'd dump a bunch of man hours into that place unless I'd bought it at a foreclosure. Your a trooper CZ.

How did she manage to obtain a certificate of occupancy in order to rent that place?

 

[Greenman]

No way I'd dump a bunch of man hours into that place unless I'd bought it at a foreclosure. Your a trooper CZ.

How did she manage to obtain a certificate of occupancy in order to rent that place?

As long as he being fairly compensated for his time and materials there is no reason not to do it.

 

[lxskllr]

As long as he being fairly compensated for his time and materials there is no reason not to do it.

Good experience too. He can practice on someone else's property :^P

 

[Carson Dyle]

Seriously, have you made any progress over the last month? Have you gotten rid of the bugs, at least?

 

[Carson Dyle]

Any before and after pics? I'll bet we wouldn't recognize the place.

 

[Charmonium]

I seem to recall that he eventually bailed on that property but I could be hallucinating.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I seem to recall that he eventually bailed on that property but I could be hallucinating.

Why? It had everything. The possibilities were endless.

 

[ISAslot]

I'm a bit late, but I've illustrated my suggested improvements below.

 

[highland145]

lol

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Spare the car at least

 

[thestrangebrew1]

The burning bike adds a nice touch!

 

[zinfamous]

oh, nice update. Maybe needs more bugs, though, running around the fire.

 

[Rifter]

Any updates?

 

[zinfamous]

Any updates?

See: post #39