Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 5/24/2005

Question
Hi,

I am looking into starting a big project.  My father passed a few weeks ago and we have the opportunity to purchase the home that he was building.  It is a project that has last for over 50 years and for the past 25 years Dad has been to ill to continue.  

The house was to be a Cape Code and small.  He put everything just to get it finished because he was to busy helping other people.  It was a struggle to raise 5 kids in his house.  Now I am thinking of buying it and moving our 4 in there.  But first we need to finish it.

This is going to be hard for me because I will not have Dad looking over my shoulder telling me how to plan and what to plan.  So, where do I beginning.  The most I have done so far is put together a few sketches of what Dad has told me he planned to do to finish the house.  

Regards,
Maggie  

Answer
Hi Maggie:
Sorry to hear about your father's passing; he sounds like he was a good man.
Good for you for having the interest in finishing the project!  It will be a learning adventure!
So, where to begin?
I would start by contacting your local building inspector.  Tell him (or her) what it is that you want to do, and ask the inspector to come walk through the house with you.  They should be willing to do this; it is in their interest for you to do the needed work to bring the house up to code.
Take notes so you don't forget what the inspector says.
Then, the next step would be to bring some contractors in, share the inspectors notes with them, and start getting some estimates to do the required work items.
If most of the work are items like finishing plumbing and electrical, or finishing off walls, then you probably don't need an Architect.  But, you do need to be sure that the work gets done to building code standards.  If you have the skill, you can do it yourself and have the inspector approve it.  More likely, you would need to hire licensed electricians and plumbers, etc..
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
PB