Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
4y
While there is an “fha 203k certification course”, this is a private company, not sponsored by fha, and doesn’t really matter. It’s essentially a marketing gimmick, even though the contractors should know the process.
It is your Lender, not the fha, who Approves your contractor. Any legit licensed contractor with insurance and proper experience can be approved, it’s just a 2 page application. The draw schedules are fair and any contractor who can’t work with them is not a contractor you want.
Picking a good contractor you can work with is the Most Important part of a 203k.
I looked on the Certified 203k Contractor Directory website and could not find any contractors in Las Cruses.
According to HUD, any contractor that meets the jurisdictional requirements to perform residential remodeling is allowed to do work for you on the 203k.
The borrower actually approves the contractor but the lender is responsible for determining that your selected contractor is acceptable to do the work by verifying the contractor's license, insurance, and experience.
But even this lender process does not educate the contractor on the different versions of the 203k along with its unique timelines, guidelines, paperwork, payment structure, bidding format, etc.
Like @Wayne Brooks stated, picking a good contractor is {one of} the most important part{s} of the 203k (I think selecting the right lender is #1).
So, maybe selecting a contractor who has been educated and certified by a private company is actually a good thing that really matters.
You're only as strong as your weakest link .... select your partners wisely.
While there is an “fha 203k certification course”, this is a private company, not sponsored by fha, and doesn’t really matter. It’s essentially a marketing gimmick, even though the contractors should know the process.
It is your Lender, not the fha, who Approves your contractor. Any legit licensed contractor with insurance and proper experience can be approved, it’s just a 2 page application. The draw schedules are fair and any contractor who can’t work with them is not a contractor you want.
Picking a good contractor you can work with is the Most Important part of a 203k.