Orange County NC Website
5. Pre -rehab inspections & unit evaluation: Orange County's Rehabilitation <br />Specialist will visit the home again for a more thorough inspection. All parts of the <br />home must be made accessible for inspection, including the attic and crawlspace. <br />The owner should report any known problems such as electrical short circuits, <br />blinking lights, rook leaks, etc. Each unit will be evaluated for energy- saving <br />opportunities such as air - sealing and duct - sealing as well as for environmental <br />concerns, such as lead based paint hazards and high levels of radon. <br />6. Work write -up: The Rehabilitation Specialist will prepare complete and detailed <br />work specifications (known as the "work write -up "). A final cost estimate will also <br />be prepared by the Rehabilitation Specialist and held in confidence until bids are <br />received from the contractor. <br />7. Lead Testing: Orange County will arrange for a certified firm to inspect the home <br />for potential lead hazards. The owner will receive information covering the results <br />of the tests and any corrective actions that will be needed as part of the <br />rehabilitation. <br />8. Formal agreement: After approval of the work write -up, the homeowner will sign <br />a formal agreement that will explain and govern the rehabilitation process. The <br />agreement will define the roles of the parties involved throughout the rehabilitation <br />process. <br />9. Bidding: The work write -up and bid documents will be mailed to three to five <br />contractors from the Approved Contractors Registry who will be given two to three <br />weeks in which to inspect the property and prepare a bid. A bid opening will be <br />conducted by Orange County's Housing, Human Rights and Community <br />Development office at a specified date and time, will all bidders and homeowners <br />invited to attend. <br />10. Contractor selection: Within 24 hours of the bid opening, after review of bid <br />breakdowns and construction schedules, the winning bidder will be selected. All <br />bidders and the homeowners will be notified of (1) the selection of the winning bid, <br />(2) the amount of the winning bid; (3) the amount of Orange County's cost <br />estimate, and (4) the specific reasons for the selection, if other than the lowest <br />bidder was selected. <br />11. Loan closing and contract execution: Loan documents will be prepared and <br />executed by the homeowner and construction contract documents will be executed <br />by the homeowner and contractor with Orange County signing on as an interested <br />third party. <br />12. Pre - construction conference: A pre - construction conference will be held at the <br />selected applicant's home. At this time, the homeowner, contractor and program <br />representatives will discuss the details of the work to be done. Starting and ending <br />dates will be finalized, along with any special arrangements such as weekend or <br />7 <br />