where do i learn how to renovate a house?!

Question

How does one go about acquiring the skills needed to renovate a property. Things such as knocking down walls, raising ceilings, framing, installing carpet/hardwoods/tiles, ect.? I am a 21 year old college student and plan to get involved with real estate investing within the near future. However, i feel that before i jump into a project (or even hire out subcontractors to do the work for me) i should get a basic understanding on how to do the renovations myself.

Should i shadow carpenters/plumbers/HVAC/electricians? Do i get an apprenticeship? Do i just read books? Should i find a real estate flipper and ask to shadow them? Any help would be much appreciated!

Jon Holdman · Answer

I'll have to disagree a bit with Bill Gulley here.  Sorry.  You actually can, IMHO, learn a lot about construction and home improvements by reading.  And googling and watching videos.

That said, that won't teach you how to actually do all these jobs.  Hands on experience is the only way to truly learn these skills.

No, you're not going to shadow a sheetrocker, plumber or electrician.  If you truly want to be hands on I think there are a couple of paths.  One is to actually do the job.  That is, get a job as an electrician, plumber, or whatever.  In some areas, especially in the north east, this can be very difficult if you don't know the right people.  And its a serious commitment.  You really don't go down that route unless you're serious about being a plumber for life.  In other areas its not as strict.  A variation is to get a job working for a handyman.  My son did this for a while and learned a lot in the process.

The other way to do it is to buy a fixer upper house, live in it and fix it up.  Do it in an area where a homeowner is allowed to pull thier own permits and do their own work.  Then be willing to put in the time learning and making mistakes.

Now, all that said, I would agree with some of the others that this may not be necessary if your goal is just to be able to flip houses.  Pay a general contractor to give you estimates.  You will make mistakes and it will cost you money.  That's your tuition for the school of hard knocks.  You will get better over time.

Curt Smith · Answer

@Ryan  McElroy   Join your local REIA and hook up with the rehabbers.  My REIAs here in Atlanta have evening rehab classes free apart of the REIA membership.   I get contractor referals from GA REIA members and that's how I got started.  So I developed a contractor list from the REIA referals that I go to when I need a trade.  I used a GC just once when I had a bank rehab loan and found you'll pay 30-50% more for your rehab and I'm pretty handy and smart so finding and managing the contractors has not been too much of a problem.  There have been all the usual problems; I walked 1 fellow off a job site for using drugs, walked another off for being dumb and screwing up the last step in a project etc etc.  Contractors have an odd habit of telling my wife some pretty crazy personal stories that give us a good laugh over dinner.    Some poor work too but generally my rehabs have turned out very nice.

Always know what a job is worth and negotiate with every contractor.  They are expecting you to negotiate!  Then write it up in a simple contract and get them to sign.  Don't loose this piece of paper!!  LOL I've scratched my head over what I owe guys a few times.  It did work out though.

Dealing with people and their needs is the nature of the real estate business.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to run out later at night to swap out a check I gave a contractor with cash because they were in a cash crunch.  Yes I should move up scale in the level of contractor,,, but in today's economic situation that's easier said than done AND get a $15k rental rehab done for just $15k and not $30k...    I spilled these stories to prime you that what ever you get yourself into in your rehab that this business is not a clean and easy business, it can get messy.

Give before you expect to receive!  Treat your workers well.  Bring them lunch un-announced before 12, a nice lunch and you'll get better work in the afternoon.   Give them a small bonus at the end when they did good work.  These guys are living on the edge and a crew chief who treats them nice is rare.  You'll feel good about yourself after you see the looks on their faces in appreciation.   Happy learning about people first and about the trades second.

Account Closed · Answer

Have you tried YouTube.com? Just throw an idea out there.

Mary B. · Answer

Remember Bob Villa? Find some of his videos and that should be a great start...

Kudos,
	Mary

J Scott · Answer

Lots of great advice above.  Personally, I'd try to find a successful rehabber in your area and offer to volunteer your time helping with project management or menial on-site tasks -- this way, you get to see the renovations first-hand, and if the rehabber is a good guy, he should be sharing his knowledge with you in return.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Yes, you can learn techniques, watch This Old House or old Home Time shows, watch videos, but you won't learn really how to do it without doing it. Watching someone run a belt sander over a cabinet door can show you how it's done. but when you try it the first time, you're likely going to learn how not to do it, even though it may look like the same technique.

I agree with Jon. almost mentioned it, but what you can't see is how much pressure to use with power tools of how hard to grasp the skill saw or really how hard to swing that hammer and not dimple the wood. So, I'm not sure watching really teaches as much as giving you an awareness. You can't really learn without doing IMO, but you may learn some aspects by videos, like wiring up a light switch or putting a door knob in, so I agree with Jon. :)

Andy Collins · Answer

I agree with everything Curt said,,contractors can be your biggest asset or your biggest headache.  I have an Electrical/AC guy, plumber and contractor that are a BIG help,,sometimes I can't get that contractor and I have to use another (and I know the quality won't be there)..

I have also learned from them, the contractor shows me how to do things, the electricial answers questions when I'm having a problem installing something myself,,but I am LOYAL to these contractors, I don't use anyone else, except in the case of the rehab contractor, but he understands and encourages me to get someone else if he is tied up.

There are some great guys to work with out there,,they are worth the headaches you put up with until you find them

Ryan McElroy · Answer

So would i have to register for an apprenticeship? Is there usually a commitment that comes with this? Do i have to take tests and whatnot?

I basically want to just follow someone around and help them while they teach me basic things on the job. (possibly get paid while doing it)

Brad Meredith · Answer

Ryan, learning to use your hands is a fine aspiration and can give a lifetime of small satisfactions as you tackle different projects. I would agree with @Bill Gulley that the finance portion of the business is readily available to study and develop using the skills you already possess.

That said, I believe the way to develop proficiency in a trade is to apprentice. That can be as informal as a summer job, but being a grunt is where we start. I don't imagine many people want to have a shadow, I know that is the sort of thing that really distracts me. You might find someone you can pay to shadow, but I think it's better to get paid to learn.

Bill Gulley · Answer

I can tell you that you won't get the skills out of any book, that only comes from doing.

I might suggest when you get out of school, move to Atlanta and work for J. Scott! LOL

It's usually better to learn valuations, the process and RE and then contracting to get the work done rather than making a renovation a DIY. Much of this can be learned, but skills only come from two things, ability and practice. :)

where do i learn how to renovate a house?!

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