Sorry to harp on fees but I don't want Ruth to be mislead. A professional will cost more than "a couple hundred dollars...to get a quick (one to several days) decent snapshot of the building's current status..." I think you should assume a minimum of $1000 per day and many of us cost 2X's that. Eric -----Original Message----- From: T. Gale [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Mon Sep 25 17:58:57 2006 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [BP] Advice needed here in the Sticks Ruth Barton wrote: > Sound like we should look at getting listed as an Historic Building. > Wonder how we would do that? R. B. If already listed, that might allow you to apply for preservation grants but to get listed takes time and money (which can also come from grants but we are talking many years before actually doing anything physical to the building). Your SHPO office may be able to help more. T. G. > Building inspectors in this area leave alot to be desired. We had one, > supposed to be the best around, look at a house we were buying and he > didn't do a darned thing I couldn't do myself. Pretty much looked at it > and said, "Yup, it's still standing and the power seems to work." He noted > a couple of silly little items that I could fix myself in half an hour that > he thought the sellers should fix and that was it--for mucho mullah!!!!!! > Ruth A decent building inspector should be able to give you a basic idea of the condition of the building and its systems (life expectancies, deficiencies, environmental conditions, etc.). While not perfect for historic buildings, for a couple hundred dollars you should be able to get a quick (one to several days) decent snapshot of the building's current status so that you can address immediate problems and gain time to hire other professionals to pursue the buildings preservation. There are licensing and certification organizations for home inspectors but I suspect that some are like online degree programs, pay a fee and get your degree. Sorry you had a bad experience. Have you searched online or tried a referral service. Perhaps you could find someone in the larger regional communities (Burlington, Glens Falls, Albany, NYC - NYC maybe too far away unless they really want to see the Barton/Walters Screwdriver Exhibition). T. G. -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The information in this email and any attachments may contain confidential information that is intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). This message or any part thereof must not be disclosed, copied, distributed or retained by any person without authorization from the addressee. If you are not the intended addressee, please notify the sender immediately, and delete this message. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>