I bought an older home, and there are things I both need and want to improve over the next 10-15 years. The first updates will be roof, chimney, furnace/AC/HWH, driveway, and stop the yard from flooding. I'd also like to add a cross gable to the front of the house and extend the porch and add a decorative fence.
So here is some of my experience thus far:
- Get estimate from roofer to fix flashing
- All of them said the won't repair it with my current roof and happily gave me a quote for new roof.
- None of them mentioned that the chimney is bad and should be replaced.
- Next I brought in a mason who told me my chimney was bad and agreed to schmear it with caulk (no warranty) to try to extend the life of the roof.
- The mason told me the chimney was bad and needs to be replaced from the roof up.
- The mason also said that if I replace the HWH and furnace I can vent out the side of the house and remove the chimney (just roof over it).
I'm feeling a bit lost both because each trade seems to be narrowly focused on just their specially (can't blame them there) and mostly interested in generating the largest revenue items (again, no surprises there). I also am starting to see some interdependence between the projects that will affect how I prioritize things. I'm not sure how to pull this all together.
Should I get independent estimates for everything I want to do, even if I don't know that I will do it or if its 10 years off? Or should I get a GC?
What I do know is this: I can't write a $20,000 check unless there is some huge savings that would offset the cost of interest for a 3-4 year loan at 6%.
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