[CZN715]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

You want to hire a Licensed, Insured General Contractor and there are not many around. The only one I know is Doc’s but they have a long waiting line and are expensive. If I knew 3 years ago what I know now, I would only hire the few most popular contractors and don’t bargain shop. Roof, Painting, Flooring, Countertops, Crown Molding, Landscape, Sprinklers, HVAC are all separate trades/companies that you hire and manage yourself. Good luck!

[Sully2023]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

Over the years I’ve completed several house renovations. I was my own contractor picking subcontractors to do projects as they needed done. I evaluated each contractor - some so expensive I wondered how they stayed in business and others who promised the world and didn’t show up. I hear this a lot in the villages. Word of mouth contractor recommendations are the best! You know what you want to have updated, why pay an extra person to have a middle man? If your idea is hire someone and let them do all the work by hiring the different contractors - get your wallet out. You have to stay involved or you will be unhappy with the result.

My son had a contractor for a home renovation in California - after the estimate was done - he decided to hire his own contractors and he saved significant money. If money is not the issue - then go for it. Remember, you can’t check out of the process.

[virtue51]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

For roofing, I would suggest McGinnis or McHales. I wouldn't trust Angi's List to find a reputable local roofer, or any reputable contractor.

McHale's Roofing was sold and the new owner kept the name. I read horror stories on the site or maybe next door regarding the quality, customer service of the new owner of Mchale's Roofing.

[TeresaE]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

Florida Division of Corporations, SunBiz.org is your friend. You can search for all manner of info on a company including license status, liens, and judgements. Good luck and God speed.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

Just buy new. You’re in over your head here. As a person who did residential rehabilitation projects for a living, the scope of what you’re explaining is well beyond your understanding. First, a roof is NOT cosmetic. It ensures the integrity of everything below it. If you spend the $$$ required to even be able to get an insurance company to insure this property, by the time you pay a General Contractor (usually 15-20% of the overall cost of the project), if one will even touch it, you’ll be so far over budget that you may as well have bought new.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

The suggestion is that you function as general contractor, deciding on materials, design, obtaining Community Standards approval and building permits, etc, and as GC you hire subcontractors to either do the work or hire workers to do the work. Then you oversee the sub’s product (did the landscaper actually plant the tree the requisite number of inches from the neighboring property line) and arrange permit inspections.

[kmspla1952]

Thank you all for your input.

I was mistaken in my original posting stating "sub-contractor" and not "general contractor".

I want to clarify something. Some posters suggest buying new. That's a great concept in that you get to choose color, materials, etc. There are no "new" properties offered north of SR-44.

As many reputable real estate agents will tell you there are only 3 requirements to purchase a home: location, location, location and with that being said you can expect to tackle updates and renovations based on the age and/or condition of the home.

In closing, the home we viewed was in the village we would like but based on the amount of work required and our reluctance to be our own general contractor we will not move forward with an offer to purchase. I'm sure there will be other properties that come up for sale in that area that require less work.

Thank you all again.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Thank you all for your input.

As many reputable real estate agents will tell you there are only 3 requirements to purchase a home: location, location, location and with that being said you can expect to tackle updates and renovations based on the age and/or condition of the home.

Thank you all again.

You are smart enough to learn the lesson, many Villagers and potential Villagers, don't comprehend.

They think location = The Villages.

It does not. The "location" is the SPECIFIC location, that suits your personal needs and wants. You're doing the 100% right thing, in my opinion. Forget buying new or any other crazy advice on here ... buy exactly where you want to buy.

EVERYTHING about a home can be modified, updated or improved ... other than the exact location.

[flamingonutjudy]

Those sound like 3 different jobs to me with 3 different skill sets. I'd want to get the best recommended roofer who offers a great warranty, so I'd look for that separate from the others. Then get recommendations for your landscaping (the idea to ask neighbors who they use is a great idea). Get recommendations for flooring and ask a lot of questions, e.g.--do you want a place that 'does it all', such as a place where you buy the flooring from them and they have installers who remove the old flooring and install new, or do you price and order the materials and have an installer put it in for you (that's what we did and it was much less cost because we had tile demoed which is $$$).

[mraines]

Originally Posted by kmspla1952

Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

Just looking to understand the process and if hiring a sub-contractor is a good idea.

Thank you.

I'd look for another house that doesn't need all that work. There are plenty.

[RRGuyNJ]

[QUOTE=kmspla1952;2342793]Just looking for an explanation on "the process".

We looked at a house here in The Villages that needed extensive cosmetic work (roof, flooring, landscaping). At our ages we don't want to take on the responsibility of all that work. One of our friends said "Just hire a sub-contractor" and have it all done.

Can you tell me please how a sub-contractor works? How would they select the best roofing company or the best priced landscaper? How are they paid? Do they charge a flat fee based on how much work is necessary or do they receive compensation of each job?

First, I have no idea about his qualifications other than watching his YouTube videos.
You could look up Ira Miller and ask about these projects. He originally was a General Contractor and now does home inspections and also is a real estate agent and possibly a broker. He seems to have a decent amount of knowledge and also has connections to specific tradesmen. Good luck!

[La lamy]

Originally Posted by RoadToad

We did what you are suggesting.
It is not really all that difficult.
If you are determind to have the property.
Do most important things in order.
Good referrals on this Forum, search.

Step by step:
Acquire the property.
Get a roofer to do roof. (probably most important issue).
Get plumber if needed.
R & R cabinets, cupboards, kitchen , bath.
Flooring, trim.
Paint.
Appliances.
Mostly just common sense progression.

I'm no contractor, but I have done A LOT of home renovation and remodelling, I would not do floors before I paint. Way faster and easier to paint, then redo floors, trim, cabinets, counters, appliances...