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>