203k minimum list of action items

[James H.]

Hello. First time property buyer here. I got a solid deal on a property and am going to do a 203k. the property has been sitting for many years and needs significant repairs, many of which are out of my personal diy ability and some are not. But, here is where I’m struggling.....

The HUD consultant just released his initial project scope document with estimate. There are things I don't want to do/can't do myself like the roof, stucco work, and sewer service among others. I'm happy for contractors to handle that. Then there are things in the report that I was rather hoping to do myself over time. This will be a slow flip for me since I need to live there for a year. So when I see a kitchen renovation listed and it's estimated at over 10,000 I think to myself, why am I going to go into debt to pay for someone else to do something I want to do over time and at my DIY cost (I'm skilled with tile and woodwork). Same goes for bathrooms.

Also in the project estimate was yard work, small tree removal, and vine removal. I was once a professional landscaper and have the tools still to easily handle that. 

The walls aren’t great looking but this is yet another thing in the quote I could do myself because apparently they need to be painted.

The rock driveway is channeled from cars driving on it so he wants to fill it in with rocks. 

And even a few 6” holes in the drywall I’d be fine covering with plywood for the time being but he wants to have those addressed by contractors.

My plan here was to buy a cheap house, use the renovation money to get the house in good/ acceptable condition overall, and then spend the next year fixing the smaller items i can do myself. 

The consultant mentioned the house must be Sound structurally, Secure, and Sanitary.....the three requirements of FHA. I feel like there are liberties being taken with this definition in my case but I don't know how to approach it with the consultant.

Every time a contractor has to do something i can do it costs me more. I also was hoping to get into the house and close and then just tinker over time but it seems I have to get appliances and dump a truckload of money on this now and i was hoping to get the pros to do the big stuff and leave the rest to me. 

Need advice, thanks