At what stage in the buying process should I consider engaging a contractor?

[Codey Wendel]

Hi all. I am still very new to the real estate game and have a question about engaging contractors. Is this something investors line up before purchasing a property? Or something to worry about after closing? Planning ahead and having one before closing sounds like the better option to me but am wanting to get some feedback.  Thank you in advance!

[Bob Okenwa]

Get something under contract and then get a contractor. Or pay a contractor to walk your property and give you a bid beforehand. 

Any contractor worth his/her salt won't waste their time with someone who has never purchased a property and doesn't have anything under contract unless you're willing to pay them for their time.