Advice to find investor friendly contractors?

[Edwin Parrilla]

Good evening BP friends. I have a deal in Savannah that I'm trying make work but at least two contractors I got estimates from are coming back w/ at least double of my estimates to repair a SFH. One of them up to $80k to renovate a 3/1 (basic rehab). I've read the book How to estimate rehab cost (new edition) and my rough estimate comes to $30k. Any ideas on how to find investor friendly contractors? Any help appreciated.

[Evan Polaski]

@Edwin Parrilla I have not read that book.  And obviously have no idea of what amount of rehab you are looking to do.  But, in general with all contractors you get to pick two:
Speed
Cost
Quality

For myself, one reason why I started paying more for better contractors is the headache you save, not to imply cost = professionalism, but in Cincinnati, to do a surface rehab for $30k you are dealing with unlicensed, uninsured, unprofessional people.  They have no problem walking off a job midway, typically after taking a decent draw.

But 80k, in Cincinnati dollars, should get your a very high level job.  I currently am doing a 1300 sq ft 2 bed, 2 full bath, half gut with all new electric, new framing, mostly new drywall, move a structural wall with nice finishes for $80k.

As for where to find cheap labor, Home Depot, Floor and Decor, and just searching google and calling.  It is time intensive, but gives you a good reference when you are interviewing 6-7 plumbers and getting bids.  Also, any flipper meetups can help.  We got our electrician from a friend.