Shady house flippers

[gonzo]

So in 2009 we bought a house that had been "flipped". The house was built in '65 and supposedly got a down to studs renovation. Well during the process the "flippers" hired shitty GC that got shit red tagged. Fast forward to spring '11 while having a sprinkler system put in I find out about these and the city won't inspect the sprinkler until I take care of the other tags. When I explain I had nothing to do with them they tell me tough shit. So I don't really know what to do and I'm busy with paramedic school and shit so I put it off till I'm done. Well about the time that I finish school our water heater goes out that requires a permit so I have to pay out of pocket for a plumber to fix the red tagged plumbing so they would issue the permit for the water heater. In addition to that I have to pay to have the dry wall fixed where they had to tear it out to fix. After some negotiating with the "flippers" he gave me a check for what it cost to get the red tag stuff fixed.

Theres also red tagged electrical which I've talked to a couple electricians that said they'd look at it but it requires ripping most of my ceiling down downstairs where the red tagged recessed lighting is. All of which would have to come out of my pocket up front.

Any suggestions about not having to pay for this up front? Also the sprinkler dude skated on me so if there's any on here that wants to make a few bucks holler at me.

TL;DR version: any suggestions on dealing with house flippers that did a shitty job?

[2165 Turbo Rail]

yea start doing the repairs yourself... if you replace your water heater you don't need a permit.

[Forever_frost]

Wait..what are these permits you speak of?

[SMKR]

id make a list and start taking care of each item 1 at a time until everything is addressed.

Caveat emptor

[Vertnut]

I don't know which city you're in, but you might call out an inspector and just have him go over the issues with you. Some cities are really tough, but appreciate someone trying to comply. Just a suggestion.

[gonzo]

I'm in Dallas and tried that. They weren't to excited about coming out to look at it. I had to make eleventy phone calls and actually got in to talk to a guy that red tagged the plumbing and he told me what was wrong. That took 3 days to get the info. This is such a beating...

[1carcrazyguy]

Wait..what are these permits you speak of?

Permits? Ain't nobody got time for that.....

[SSMAN]

Permits? You don't need no steeking permits!


Freaking youtube shows you how to do damn near anything. I put my water heater in myself. That is pretty easy.

[Forever_frost]

Okay, question. Your water heater went out. Why would you apply for a permit to replace it instead of just...you know..replacing it? Or going on CL and hiring someone to replace it for you? I don't understand how anyone would know or why they'd care about repairs on your home.

But then again, I live in BFE for a reason

[SEB]

David is this the current house yall are in now?

[STANGGT40]

I don't know which city you're in, but you might call out an inspector and just have him go over the issues with you. Some cities are really tough, but appreciate someone trying to comply. Just a suggestion.

Exactly, call an inspector and have him walk through the house with you. Make sure to show plenty of respect and ask questions, so they feel like they're helping you out...feed his ego a bit, and he'll do everything he can to help. This will turn info much less of an issue than you're expecting.

[gonzo]

Exactly, call an inspector and have him walk through the house with you. Make sure to show plenty of respect and ask questions, so they feel like they're helping you out...feed his ego a bit, and he'll do everything he can to help. This will turn info much less of an issue than you're expecting.

I guess that's the route we're gonna have to go. This is a pain in the dick to no end. I kind of expected some hiccups with our first homebuying process. At least we've learned alot about what to look for and such.

[STANGGT40]

I guess that's the route we're gonna have to go. This is a pain in the dick to no end. I kind of expected some hiccups with our first homebuying process. At least we've learned alot about what to look for and such.

Just make sure that you don't have the slightest bit of an attitude and you show a lot of respect. Let him know that you're concerned about the safety of everything and that you appreciate any input he can provide. He'll do whatever he can to help, and it will be a quick and easy process.

[dcs13]

He's in Dallas? Good luck with those people...

[YALE]

The city of Dallas permit office is the worst bunch of bureaucratic idiots in North Texas, and the best part about them is they mostly don't know the code they cite. I feel for you, dude. If you still need a plumber, I may know someone.