Contracting Out Work: Easier Said Than Done!

[Dustin DuFault]

Warning: I'm probably only posting this to vent. I hope I do not approach the level of a rant, but no promises :D

Seriously though - I need some insight here. Since shortly before Christmas I've been dealing with two vacancies that were by far the worst I've ever had. I knew one day I would have properties left worse for ware.... I did not expect two to come at the same time. But in a way I was grateful (initially) for the circumstance as I knew thought that it would force me to try my hand at hiring out work.

As back story - I've grown our real estate portfolio historically through shear will power and sweat equity, completing all of the work myself. I thought that the forced opportunity to do a ton of work in a short amount of time might be a blessing in disguise, and get me acclimated to the an alternate method of growing a real estate portfolio.

But - I was wrong. Instead my wife and I were left contacting an endless stream of people who would express interest in completing work only to never show up at the appointed time. They would 'get sick' or 'decide not to'. Today, the latest, was recommended by a realtor as someone who worked 'only with investors'. When he didn't show up today, and I contacted him, he stated simply & with impressively cryptic style that he was 'done with that'.

Let me assure you I still have no carpet.

All in all I'd say we've made arrangements with 20 different 'entities' some handyman types, some contractors. Of that list only one showed up to complete their job, which they promptly ruined. I sent them a scope of work and discussed the job with them extensively. Everything about them checked out - contractors license, competence in our discussion. Yet when they arrived they only ruined $1k worth of tile, which I later had to chip back out and do myself.

Arghhhhhh

Thus far I've finished one of the properties myself and re-rented it this weekend. The fortunate thing is out of my properties it was the one that needed updating the most.... so that's the silver lining I guess.

At any rate - with the rant line approached, crossed and out of sight, is there something I'm missing here with these contractors??? My four hour work week is currently at about 400 hours. I'm frustrated.