mtneer2010 t1_itdjjtg wrote on October 22, 2022 at 8:40 PM

Reply to comment by Xanny in Can Baltimore vacant properties provide housing for new immigrants? by bearjew64

I'm confused, are you saying you're working off the books and not paying taxes?

Doing rehab/reno jobs should require licenses and permits. Way too many DIYers who "know what they're doing" botch these jobs and it makes the situation dangerous for people living there, because they cut corners to save a buck

baltimorecalling t1_itdpkbj wrote on October 22, 2022 at 9:23 PM

The house next to me is being rehabbed by people who don't know what they're doing. I had 2 gas shut-offs at my house because we thought we had a gas leak. Turns out: it was theirs.

I had to get a stop work order issued, because it was dangerous and expensive for me (First time, BGE shut OUR gas off, and didn't trace the problem to the obvious construction next door. We had to pay AJ Michaels a pretty penny to clear our gas tag that same day).

pestercat t1_itefngq wrote on October 23, 2022 at 12:43 AM

This. Fucking flippers plus a worthless (and astonishingly overpaid) inspector wrecked our lives. Had to go deep into debt to fix their mistakes enough to sell, then live with family for five awful years saving up and paying down debt before we could buy again.

Still remember our proper contractor when he and one of his men were working on our masonry. All I could hear over their music was "this is not to American building standards at all! This is ridiculous!" repeated over and over at ascending volumes.