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A few questions - Basement windows, replacing doors Decoy 08-18-2006
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Posted by Decoy on August 18, 2006, 2:57 pm
Hello
I'm buying my first house, and I have a few questions.

One of the things I'm wanting to do (and it's been suggested by the
inspector) is to replace the basement windows. They're all single pane
and currently, instead of having the TV cable hookup go through
anywhere else, they've (the current owners) have it going through one
of the basement windows, meaning that it lets in all the cold etc ?!?!
I'm wondering, how easy is it to replace basement windows? (They are a
little above ground level, there is no dug out area in front of them.)

Should the cable be going through the window like that, and if not, how
do I create a hole that will allow it through (without drilling holes
in the brick/concrete if possible, perhaps put it through the window
frame and seal with silicone or something?), or should I have the cable
company hook it up properly into the house somehow?

Also, is it horribly difficult to replace a set of sliding doors that
lead outside? They are old and it's difficult to get the doors open.
I'm looking to see if I can simply fix the track, but if it's simply
unrepairable I would like to replace it myself.

As a side question, I recently told a friend that I did indeed get an
inspector to come in, and they were shocked to find out that I paid for
it instead of insisting the sellers pay for this. Who normally pays for
the house inpsection?

Thanks in advance for any help :)


Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on August 18, 2006, 3:17 pm

> Should the cable be going through the window like that, and if not, how
> do I create a hole that will allow it through (without drilling holes
> in the brick/concrete if possible, perhaps put it through the window
> frame and seal with silicone or something?), or should I have the cable
> company hook it up properly into the house somehow?

What type of foundationf or the windows? In stone or cement foundations, I
used to tear them out and set in the new window using concrete. It would be
easy at the time to allow a cable entry. It took about 30 minutes to do a
window.
>
> Also, is it horribly difficult to replace a set of sliding doors that
> lead outside? They are old and it's difficult to get the doors open.
> I'm looking to see if I can simply fix the track, but if it's simply
> unrepairable I would like to replace it myself.

Two men, h af a day or so. If you know the basics, it can be done. I piad
$200 to have a 8' door replaced some years ago, but it would be at least
double that now.

>
> As a side question, I recently told a friend that I did indeed get an
> inspector to come in, and they were shocked to find out that I paid for
> it instead of insisting the sellers pay for this. Who normally pays for
> the house inpsection?

Seller almost never pays. Why should he? You are the one that wants the
information. If I was to pay, I'd choose the inspector and he may be
biased. You don't want that do you?



Posted by Running Jack Flash on August 18, 2006, 3:26 pm
>> As a side question, I recently told a friend that I did indeed get an
>> inspector to come in, and they were shocked to find out that I paid for
>> it instead of insisting the sellers pay for this. Who normally pays for
>> the house inpsection?
>
> Seller almost never pays. Why should he? You are the one that wants the
> information. If I was to pay, I'd choose the inspector and he may be
> biased. You don't want that do you?

We bought a house a couple of months ago, and it was never suggested that
the seller pay. You are buying a house, you want YOUR inspector to do the
work. I was also told not to take the inspector recommended by the realtor,
because inspectors like a clean referral source, and don't want a reputation
as a deal killer. I suppose that would depend on your level of trust with
your agent.



Posted by Decoy on August 18, 2006, 3:38 pm

Running Jack Flash wrote:
> We bought a house a couple of months ago, and it was never suggested that
> the seller pay. You are buying a house, you want YOUR inspector to do the
> work. I was also told not to take the inspector recommended by the realtor,
> because inspectors like a clean referral source, and don't want a reputation
> as a deal killer. I suppose that would depend on your level of trust with
> your agent.

Our agent was great, working with us to ensure everything went smoothly
and such considering we're moving 4 hours north from where I am now.
The inspector was someone we knew personally and he went through
everything with a fine toothed comb.
It seemed odd to me that my friend was shocked that I pay for it, but
it made sense to me. I'm glad to hear I'm not the insane one (for
once!)

What I really don't understand is when people refuse to get
inspections, thinking they'll somehow save a few hundred bucks. I mean,
you're buying probably the most expensive item in your lifetime, it
makes sense to me to have it inspected by a professional you trust!


Posted by Decoy on August 18, 2006, 3:33 pm
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> > Should the cable be going through the window like that, and if not, how
> > do I create a hole that will allow it through (without drilling holes
> > in the brick/concrete if possible, perhaps put it through the window
> > frame and seal with silicone or something?), or should I have the cable
> > company hook it up properly into the house somehow?
> What type of foundationf or the windows? In stone or cement foundations, I
> used to tear them out and set in the new window using concrete. It would be
> easy at the time to allow a cable entry. It took about 30 minutes to do a
> window.

Cement foundation. 30 mins isn't so bad, and thank you, I'm glad to
hear I can put the cable in there easily when doing this.


> > Also, is it horribly difficult to replace a set of sliding doors that
> > lead outside? They are old and it's difficult to get the doors open.
> > I'm looking to see if I can simply fix the track, but if it's simply
> > unrepairable I would like to replace it myself.
> Two men, h af a day or so. If you know the basics, it can be done. I piad
> $200 to have a 8' door replaced some years ago, but it would be at least
> double that now.

Hmm ok. My husband was saying he and I could just 'pop it out' and put
in a new one but I didn't think it'd be that easy for us to do it, as
we've never done this before. It seems to just be the track that needs
replacing, but I figured it would be best to get an idea of what was
needed in case we have to replace.


> > As a side question, I recently told a friend that I did indeed get an
> > inspector to come in, and they were shocked to find out that I paid for
> > it instead of insisting the sellers pay for this. Who normally pays for
> > the house inpsection?
> Seller almost never pays. Why should he? You are the one that wants the
> information. If I was to pay, I'd choose the inspector and he may be
> biased. You don't want that do you?

That's what I figured! I figured it was best that I pick the person I
trust.

Thanks!


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