How to estimate and begin construction?

[Daniel Winschel]

I am brand new to the prospect of real estate investing. Still doing tons of research with podcasts and reading books. My question is this... I’m in the Pittsburgh market, which has become pretty competitive for the C and B level communities, looking for my first house hack. It seems as though the only way to make the numbers work is to do more of a Brrrr scenario? I have no skills currently in the home renovation department, interior design, etc. My agent could set me up with contractors or whatever I need, but I have no idea how to project costs. Even if I had a team of professionals to help I don’t know what choices to make in home design and of course it would cost more than doing it on my own (while working a full time job). How did you all go about learning these concepts well enough to be comfortable taking that leap? The risk feels insurmountable at times.

[Andrew Syrios]

First of all, I would recommend getting @J Scott's book The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs, which you can get here: http://get.biggerpockets.com/flippingbook/