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“By my estimation, I’d say that you need to add at least eighteen to twenty piers to the foundation. You need a moisture removal system to keep the water out of the walls, and you need to put up between five and eight braces for the wall collapsing in.” She paused. “It’s a lot, Howard.”
“How much? Ten, twenty thousand?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I quoted a job for my other employer a month ago for someone who needed half of what you need, and it was over thirty grand.”
“What?” Howard paled. “You mean this would be around sixty grand?”
“I would estimate between sixty and eighty to stabilize the foundation, put in a water management system, and brace the collapsing wall.”
“And if I wanted to sell it as is? How much would I have to knock off the price?”
She pondered that for a few moments. “Probably at least double the amount to fix it.”
“I can’t do that!” He snapped. “Damn it! I should have sold this place sooner. Do I have to tell them about it?”
“Yes, you must disclose this information, which will be part of the building inspection. It will become public knowledge to anyone who wants information on the property.”
“Well, shit!” he muttered as he sagged in the chair. “What do I do now?”
“Well…” She glanced at her watch. “I have another appointment, so I can’t do it now, but I told you I work for a company that does that kind of work. I could come back later and do an estimate. Take the actual measurements and figure out precisely what you would need.”
“I would appreciate it if you would do that. Come back whenever you can. Mike will help you with whatever you need, and you can give me a call with the information.”
“I can do that.” They both stood and shook hands, and then Howard bolted for the door.
She came back to the bar, slipping her tablet into a bag. “I hate giving that kind of news.”
“Is it really going to cost that much?”
“Yeah, no matter what he does, he has to support the structure before he sells it or have a clause that the buyers know they have to do it.”
“How quickly would a new buyer have to get it fixed?”
She shrugged. “I wouldn’t wait very long, but that’s if we don’t have a major fluctuation in weather. Maybe a year, but any longer than that, I would worry. If it gets too dry or too wet, things will move. That front wall concerns me too. I’d hate to see it collapse.”
A year. What if I could talk Howard into selling to me for a hundred grand less than he is asking? I would probably be able to swing that, but I’d have to find a way to get the repairs done within a year. Would I be able to make enough on the tavern to do that?
She began to collect her things. “I can smell the wheels turning in your mind, Michael.”
“Yeah, just wondering if I might still have a chance to buy this place. When do you think you can get back to do the estimate for the work?”
“Probably not for a couple of days. My schedule is nuts.” She paused. “Unless you don’t mind me coming late at night. I could do it tonight, but I wouldn’t be able to get here until at least nine.”
“How long would it take?”
“At least an hour, maybe a bit longer.”
“I don’t mind, but is nine too late for you?”
“No, I’m a night owl. I don’t normally go to bed before midnight anyway.”
“Alright, if you don’t mind, I’d be interested in the cost and how quickly it would need to be fixed.”
“Ah.” She picked up her equipment case. “Then, if you want to know both of those, you might owe me dinner when I get here.”
“I’ll save you a prime seat at the bar.”
She chuckled. “I’ll see you tonight. Hope you have a better day.”
