Power and water during rehab phase?

[Carl Bo Smith]

How many of you have power and water turned on in your name during the rehab portion of a BRRRR property. My contractor says he would prefer that I have it turned on but he has generators if I choose not to. Aside from additional costs to me, are there really any other downsides to getting everything turned on?

FYI, it should be a short rehab, only about 3 weeks and once rented the tenants will be responsible for all utilities in their own name.

[Michael Noto]

Definitely get the water running and fully operational before starting any interior rehab. What if you have a nicely rehabbed house and turn the water on and there is 3 or 4 leaks that spring up which completely ruin the work you have done? Now you are at square one.