14 BC update

[A-№1]

Chris has had little idea what responsibility is until the fire. Now he has some. He's been doing HARD AND HEAVY LIFTING and making sure everything is going smooth. That's more than he's ever had. To most of us this would, of course, be stressful. To him it's not just STRESS but also learning that he actually has to do things in life and not fuck around with legos in his room, carefree. He's getting a taste of what it means to be an adult. He's still the same idiot we all know and love but he's finally getting a taste of life outside the Chandler bubble of enabling.

Absolutely. Of course Chris thinks this is terribly unfair and he is suffering more than any person ever has in the entire history of the universe.

And that's another aspect of Chris' failure to be responsible: actual responsible, mature people not only act responsibly, but also accept that responsibility as a simple, necessary fact of life. Even though Chris has had some responsibility dropped on him, as soon as he can go back to playing with his legos in his bedroom while ignoring the outside realities, he will.

It's not unusual for people to hire unlicensed contractors when money is tight. It's an incredibly silly thing to do liability-wise, especially if structural work is involved, but it's pretty common.

Yeah, people do it all the time, and usually they get away with it for small, inconsequential jobs like kitchen remodels (assuming there isn't a lot of complicated plumbing or wiring). But re-framing and roofing after a fire? Bad idea. It definitely costs more to hire qualified, licensed, bonded, and insured professional contractors, but that extra cost isn't for extra work. The extra cost is for your warranty and especially their liability. When you hire a licensed contractor, they are responsible for workplace safety and workman's compensation. If you just hire any old hammer jockey off the street, you are (in most states - certainly every one I can think of).

So if Barb is going it alone and hiring unlicensed labor to repair 14BLC, she is taking a sickening risk (I'm not saying she is doing that, just that I suspect it as a possibility). Quite apart from the questionable quality of the work done, if one of those workers should happen to fall off the roof, or electrocute himself, or have something fall on his head, or have any of literally thousands of possible serious accidents happen to him whole on her job, Barb could find herself in the hole for possibly hundreds of thousands of collars or more in medical costs, lost wages compensation, mental suffering, and on and on and on… And given the struggle she's had with her insurer so far, it's very possible she doesn't have any homeowners liability insurance to cover it, either.

Yeah. Well, Chris has fought responsibility, but in many ways he has fought growing up. It may be the autism, but he clings to Lego, MLP, Sonic and Pokemon without developing any interests more complex or refined. Yeah, its fine to be into some of that shit when you're an adult, but Chris takes it to a creepy level. He doesn't have many age-appropriate interests.

Yeah, Chris has definitely fought long and hard all his life against both responsibility and growing up. My only point is that it's possible to do one without necessarily doing the other. One of the most responsible, mature people I know still acts like a 12yo girl most of the time. Even at her age she still plays with her toys and doll houses (some very expensive doll houses, mind), but if the chips are ever down, I'd trust my life to her to make the right, responsible decisions. At the same time I know people who are into very adult things like golf and scotch and literature who I wouldn't trust to safely watch after a hamster.

So again, the two are separate; Chris just happens to be neither. He's not an adult and he's not responsible. And most importantly, he doesn't want to be either. It's really, really sad when you think about it.

 

[EI 903]

So if Barb is going it alone and hiring unlicensed labor to repair 14BLC, she is taking a sickening risk (I'm not saying she is doing that, just that I suspect it as a possibility). Quite apart from the questionable quality of the work done, if one of those workers should happen to fall off the roof, or electrocute himself, or have something fall on his head, or have any of literally thousands of possible serious accidents happen to him whole on her job, Barb could find herself in the hole for possibly hundreds of thousands of collars or more in medical costs, lost wages compensation, mental suffering, and on and on and on… And given the struggle she's had with her insurer so far, it's very possible she doesn't have any homeowners liability insurance to cover it, either.

House construction and repair is damn dangerous work, and the structurally unsound, fire-gutted remains of a hoard house must be a nightmare to work in. The slipshod job the workers are bound to end up doing will likely be as much due to being extra-careful to avoid getting hurt as it will be that they were hired at bargain-bin prices.

I really hope they take care, because it would be a genuine tragedy if Barb's cheapness and obsession with a burned-out wreck contributed to some poor bastard getting maimed or worse.

 

[repentance]

And given the struggle she's had with her insurer so far, it's very possible she doesn't have any homeowners liability insurance to cover it, either.

Not sure how it works in the US, but here the building work wouldn't be covered by her homeowner's liability insurance anyway. If she was acting as an owner/builder and employing all of the contractors herself, then she'd need to take out specific insurance to cover her potential liability. Regardless of whether or not the county enforces building regulations, the insurance company would almost certainly reject any claims made against her liability insurance if any permits were missing, if any work wasn't up to code (it's her responsibility to make sure it is if she's co-ordinating the repairs) or any of the tradespeople she used weren't properly licensed.

Owner organised repair work can be a real problem when you go to sell a property, too. Savvy buyers will check that repairs/renovations are up to code and covered by the insurance of the tradespeople who carried out the work (or an industry body if the licensed contractors who performed the work are no longer in business).

Another problem is that unlicensed contractors often take jobs cash in hand and without a written contract. The costs can quickly blow out because they'll quote an hourly or daily rate rather than a whole of job rate which includes (and specifies) all materials and labour. Unless you're buying the materials yourself (which Barb isn't going to do), it can get out of hand really quickly as "unforeseen issues" keep cropping up.

 

[Xarpho]

You know, months ago, we were JOKING about them moving back to 14BLC, with sending Chris down to Home Depot for lumber and insulation. (I can't find the exact post, sorry)

Unfortunately, this is now a scenario becoming scarily realistic.

 

[Partyboy]

House construction and repair is damn dangerous work, and the structurally unsound, fire-gutted remains of a hoard house must be a nightmare to work in. The slipshod job the workers are bound to end up doing will likely be as much due to being extra-careful to avoid getting hurt as it will be that they were hired at bargain-bin prices.

I really hope they take care, because it would be a genuine tragedy if Barb's cheapness and obsession with a burned-out wreck contributed to some poor bastard getting maimed or worse.

From what I saw in the picture at the beginning of the thread, it looks like things just came to a standstill. Insurance payment issue maybe? Or a possible safety/health hazard? House insurers are super-nitpicky depending on the claimed damaged. Off tangent here, we had to get our whole roof re-shingled at my house, 20k job based on a repair estimate and the insurers came out, looked at the whole house and pretty much said:"yup, ya'll be needin' a new roof."It got done, but they sure took their time approving it(insurers hate giving you money you know, especially theirs ). Based on their habits, they will probably think going to home depot is the cheapest way to fix the problem(it sadly, is also the laziest). Unfortunately, home depot is not exactly known for hiring quality, or bonded and insured/licensed contractors(usually they have a high percentage of employing shady 3rd party contractors, google home depot installations and contract work complaints and you will see what I mean) Honestly, that house looks like a deathtrap and a lost cause. it would pretty much need a major renovation. Something I doubt the chandler family could afford.

 

[repentance]

Honestly, that house looks like a deathtrap and a lost cause. it would pretty much need a major renovation. Something I doubt the chandler family could afford.

Some acquaintances of mine had a pretty minor house fire a few years back. Although the actual fire damage was confined to one bedroom and relatively trivial, the smoke and water damage was extensive. Despite having what they thought was plenty of insurance, they still ended up being under-insured by about $40,000 and it took a good 6 months before they were back in their home. Their home had a lot less fire damage than the Chandler home, but pretty much every wall and carpet in the home needed to be replaced as well as all the furniture and appliances due to smoke and water damage.

Provided they had decent insurance, the Chandlers would probably have been better off if they home had burned to the ground. They could have cleaned up the site and sold the land and bought one of the surprising number of homes for sale in Ruckersville with the insurance money.

 

[Partyboy]

Some acquaintances of mine had a pretty minor house fire a few years back. Although the actual fire damage was confined to one bedroom and relatively trivial, the smoke and water damage was extensive. Despite having what they thought was plenty of insurance, they still ended up being under-insured by about $40,000 and it took a good 6 months before they were back in their home. Their home had a lot less fire damage than the Chandler home, but pretty much every wall and carpet in the home needed to be replaced as well as all the furniture and appliances due to smoke and water damage.

Provided they had decent insurance, the Chandlers would probably have been better off if they home had burned to the ground. They could have cleaned up the site and sold the land and bought one of the surprising number of homes for sale in Ruckersville with the insurance money.

I'd believe it. Like I said in an earlier post, it was like when my house had to be re-shingled, it was pretty much either tear the whole roof off and replace it(from the plywood up to the shingles), or do nothing and get mold everywhere. In my state, you pretty much need some kind of decent home insurance. All in, even with the insurance footing the higher percentage, it was 20K for the work and 7k out of pocket to the insurance company. But pretty much what you said would be the most viable option. Better to bulldoze the house, sell the land and maybe move somewhere that's not Virginia? Depending on their insurer, this would make more sense. Virginia seems more and more like a less viable place for them to live.

 

[Thiomersal]

I really hope they take care, because it would be a genuine tragedy if Barb's cheapness and obsession with a burned-out wreck contributed to some poor bastard getting maimed or worse.

Hell, Barb's obsession with the wreck already claimed one poor bastard's life before it was even burned-out. (RIP Bob )

 

[Partyboy]

Hell, Barb's obsession with the wreck already claimed one poor bastard's life before it was burned out. (RIP Bob )

I know. It was a totally lame and not metal way for him to go. I honestly don't think they can hold onto that house any longer. Even though they aren't using it, they will still have to pay the taxes on it, which depending on the state(because it does vary), the houses overall value, coupled with the value of the land, can be pretty nasty.

 

[Moon Moon]

I know. It was a totally lame and not \M/ETAL way for him to go. I honestly don't think they can hold onto that house any longer. Even though they aren't using it, they will still have to pay the taxes on it, which depending on the state(because it does vary), the houses overall value, coupled with the value of the land, can be pretty nasty.

I honestly don't picture them paying a big tax on a semi-rundown house in the middle of nowhere. But that's just me.

 

[Partyboy]

I honestly don't picture them paying a big tax on a semi-rundown house in the middle of nowhere. But that's just me.

Well I suppose like I said, it varies by state. On a personal note, I live in TX, so we just pay federal taxes when it comes to property/land taxes. Which, as long as you don't own a freaking mega-mansion, is high, but manageable.I'd imagine in VA, it's both federal and state(state hits you harder though) Not certain, I haven't gotten into tax law in a while, so I may be wrong about some things. Let me put it to you this way. Even if there was nothing at 14BC, they would STILL have to pay taxes on the land because they own it. A house increases the tax naturally because you are factoring in the lands value plus the houses' value on the land itself. So, it would be cheaper for them to have nothing there, then to have the house still standing because it would cost more while it was up. Hope that makes sense.

 

[JustAnotherWeen]

I honestly don't picture them paying a big tax on a semi-rundown house in the middle of nowhere. But that's just me.

According to homesnap.com, they may be paying $1,128 in property tax per year. However, I would point out that the estimate the site gives for the property's value is around the $173,000 mark, which I can't imagine being particularly accurate since the fire occurred.

 

[Moon Moon]

Well I suppose like I said, it varies by state. On a personal note, I live in TX, so we just pay federal taxes when it comes to property/land taxes. Which, as long as you don't own a freaking mega-mansion, is high, but manageable.I'd imagine in VA, it's both federal and state(state hits you harder though) Not certain, I haven't gotten into tax law in a while, so I may be wrong about some things. Let me put it to you this way. Even if there was nothing at 14BC, they would STILL have to pay taxes on the land because they own it. A house increases the tax naturally because you are factoring in the lands value plus the houses' value on the land itself. So, it would be cheaper for them to have nothing there, then to have the house still standing because it would cost more while it was up. Hope that makes sense.

For some reason, I could picture them living in their cars on their land and still paying taxes whilst homeless. But then again, there's the high interest and the loan paybacks because Chris bought a "new" car. So far, we can't really jump to conclusions since we haven't heard from Chris about him and Barb wanting to live on their land or not. The land tax and paying the loans back is a stretch on their tugboats alone and it doesn't help that Chris blows his money on Legos first before food and other necessities.

 

[Partyboy]

According to homesnap.com, they may be paying $1,128 in property tax per year. However, I would point out that the estimate the site gives for the property's value is around the $173,000 mark, which I can't imagine being particularly accurate since the fire occurred.

That's possible. Though the state usually has the more accurate paperwork though.

 

[Partyboy]

For some reason, I could picture them living in their cars on their land and still paying taxes whilst homeless. But then again, there's the high interest and the loan paybacks because Chris bought a "new" car. So far, we can't really jump to conclusions since we haven't heard from Chris about him and Barb wanting to live on their land or not. The land tax and paying the loans back is a stretch on their tugboats alone and it doesn't help that Chris blows his money on Legos first before food and other necessities.

That would be plausible. I honestly don't think they could really sell the house in it's current state. Even to people who "flip" houses.

 

[CWCissey]

That would be plausible. I honestly don't think they could really sell the house in it's current state. Even to people who "flip" houses.

Even for a dollar?

Stoke Council did that a while back, sold off a load of shitty houses for £1, gave the people who bought them grants to do them up and said that as long as they lived there for three years, they could then do what they like with the place, up to and including selling it off for profit. It's something that Liverpool Council is looking into now too.

 

[repentance]

That would be plausible. I honestly don't think they could really sell the house in it's current state. Even to people who "flip" houses.

Such sales usually require the buyer to submit plans for repair or demolition and lock into a timeframe for doing something with the property. Zillow shows an awful lot of homes for sale in Ruckersville, so I'm not seeing anything which would make purchasing the Chandler home for either repair or demolition an attractive proposition. It doesn't seem to be an area where it would be worth buying for the land alone. There's plenty of land for sale around there which you can build on without incurring demolition and clean up costs.

 

[LordCustos3]

House construction and repair is damn dangerous work, and the structurally unsound, fire-gutted remains of a hoard house must be a nightmare to work in. The slipshod job the workers are bound to end up doing will likely be as much due to being extra-careful to avoid getting hurt as it will be that they were hired at bargain-bin prices.

I really hope they take care, because it would be a genuine tragedy if Barb's cheapness and obsession with a burned-out wreck contributed to some poor bastard getting maimed or worse.

Or when the weight of the barbage on the second floor goes past the carrying capacity of the plyboard and spackle barely holding together, there will be another catastrophe at Casa del Centipede Smorgasbord.

 

[Partyboy]

Even for a dollar?

Stoke Council did that a while back, sold off a load of shitty houses for £1, gave the people who bought them grants to do them up and said that as long as they lived there for three years, they could then do what they like with the place, up to and including selling it off for profit. It's something that Liverpool Council is looking into now too.

In the US, it would probably be put up for auction. But if they legit own the land, then that's on them to do. However, if they took out a mortgage or a lien and used their house as collateral, and couldn't make the payments, the bank seizes it, and literally, someone will pay 1/4 or less of the price of the house(I've seen people buy houses for 1K, and there's nothing wrong with them, but it's usually much higher because bidding wars and rich people). Renovate it, then flip it for a profit.

 

[DustygreeneNCR]

Nobody's forcing you to watch.

Looks like they're ripping out drywall. The dumpster is in use and the shitpile out front is gone.
I really hope they rebuild and Chris gets a house for the banks to seize.

I can see it now: 14 Branchland Court 2.0!
Now with 50% less cat shit and 30% more Legos!