Building a Scope of Work
Whether you’ve closed on a new property or selected an existing property in your portfolio to convert into a PadSplit, you’re ready for the next step.
With the PadSplit model, you can optimize your property for coliving and increase your returns by converting existing space into additional bedrooms. With that in mind, many Hosts bring on a general contractor to optimize their property prior to listing.
When selecting trusted contractors to bid on your project, you will want to ask these questions:
- Are they licensed and insured?
- Have they ever converted a property into a PadSplit? While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s helpful to work with someone who understands the PadSplit scope of work.
- Do they subcontract out the work or use their own crew?
- Can you see an example of their work? Don’t be afraid to ask for virtual showings for ease and convenience.
- How long do they expect the conversion to take?
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of contractors, it’s time to request a scope of work and bid:
- Pre-walk the property to get an idea of what work needs to be done. Take photos of items/areas in need of improvement and detailed notes. This is a great way to compare your notes with the contractor’s scope of work to make sure it is complete.
- Walk the property with the contractors you selected. We advise setting aside an hour to thoroughly go over the property interior and exterior.
- The contractor(s) will develop a scope of work as part of the bidding process.
- Compare the scope of work from the contractors and select the contractor you trust the most.
You will want to compare bids based on similar or ideally the same work to get an accurate price comparison. It is better to select the contractor you trust the most to complete the job vs. the lowest bid. Keep in mind, time wasted is lost income, and be prepared for some odds and ends that were missed in the contractor’s initial scope of work.
After completing the work, we recommend Hosts review PadSplit’s suggested property improvements. The tried and true “clean, safe, and functional” approach applies to general repair items not covered in our suggested improvements guide. Our guiding rule? Do what needs to be done to get the property good enough for your children’s starter home or, better yet, your new home.
Recommended Property Improvements
PadSplit Kitchen:
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it needs to be hard-working. Here are our recommendations for PadSplit kitchens:
- Appliances: Refrigerator (2.5 cubic feet per bedroom), oven/stove, microwave
- 1.25 gpm aerator in kitchen sink
- LED bulbs in all fixtures
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash can with trash bags
- Dining area and chairs
- All tile or flooring in good repair and sealed
- Appliances, fixtures, and countertops (granite preferred) clean and unmarred
- Prominently displayed fire extinguisher
- Above-stove FireStop
- Smoke detector (carbon monoxide detectors are required for houses with gas)
PadSplit Bedrooms:
Members will often create maintenance tickets for minor issues at the property which can be costly to repair individually. Things like a broken outlet or sagging blinds in bedrooms will almost certainly be pointed out. Why? Members spend the most time in their room and expect everything inside to function. Getting in front of any possible maintenance issues will save money and time on the back-end. Here are our recommendations for PadSplit bedrooms:
- 80 square feet minimum size (no side less than 7’)
- HVAC supply and return vents
- Light fixture with a switch or a floor lamp
- Two (2) outlets or one (1) and a permanent light fixture
- Smoke detector with 10-year lithium battery
- Two (2) modes of egress, either doors or a door and an egress window (min 24” high by 20” wide, no more than 44” from the floor)
- Full-size bed and mattress
- Mattress cover
- End table
- Lamp
- Built-in closet with closet rod or armoire
- Artwork
- Solid-surface flooring
PadSplit Bathroom:
Another hard-working room in PadSplits? The bathrooms. Here are our recommendations for PadSplit bathrooms:
- 1.25 gpm showerhead
- 0.5 gpm aerator in all faucets
- 0.8 gpf Niagara Stealth Toilet (unless existing toilets < 1.6 gpf)
- LED bulbs in all fixtures
- Plunger and toilet brush present
- Small trash can to prevent flushing of unwanted items
- Shower curtain and rod installed
- Privacy lock installed on the door
- All tile or flooring in good repair and sealed
- Clean tub/shower
- GFCI outlets
- All toilets flush, drain properly and be secure to the floor.
- Vent fan (timer preferred) or window required to vent moisture
- Sink, tub and shower plumbing must drain properly, be leak free, have both hot and cold water.
- Plumbing must be properly installed (no S-traps), leak-free and vented in accordance with local building codes.
Out-of-Sight Areas:
Don’t neglect areas that are often out of sight for Members. Here are our recommendations for ensuring these areas are efficient and safe:
- Complete air-sealing package
- Plug any and all fireplaces
- Floors and ceilings must be insulated to a minimum of R-19 (R-30 on flat ceilings)
- Any required termite prevention treatments applied
- Perform rodent exclusion at likely entry points as required
- Ensure that house is vermin/pest free at opening
- Roof and gutters must be in good repair (gutter covers highly recommended)
- Landscape drainage to 10’ away from house
- A-coil cleaning
- Fresh air filter in place
While we recommend a slew of improvements, we recognize every property is different. Our goal is to have Members move into an inviting, clean, safe, and fully-functionally home.
Not sure you want to go the renovation route? Our new service, PadSplit Turnkey, allows you to hand the entire process over to a professional with industry experience while still maintaining ownership of the home. Schedule a call with one of our Property Experts to learn more.
