Flips - to use a GC or not to use a GC??

[Eric Smith]

That is the question - to use a GC or not to use a GC for remote flips?

I've been remote flipping in Cleveland, OH and am in the early stages of prepping for a new build in Annapolis, MD. Will be using a GC for the new build, but after doing 6 flips in Cleveland and running into bottlenecks of how much the GC can handle, I'm wondering if just subbing out each trade would be quicker and cheaper than waiting on GC's who are overbooked and managing over a dozen projects at a time to finish out my own projects. 

I wanted to ask the forum to hear personal experiences from those who have managed flips remotely themselves without a GC and how it went? Any advice or responses are much appreciated.

[Domenic Passarella]

Hey, I know it’s not really answering your question directly, but I’ll give you my take.  I’m also in the middle of my first fix and flip in Cleveland (remotely, I live in Rhode Island).  Since it is remote, it is the first time I’ve ever used a GC. Before this, I’ve done six fix and rents in Providence acting as my own GC.

I can’t imagine doing my project without a GC, unless I was paying a handyman or a real estate agent every time to go meet a vendor there.   I have also really really lucked out with this GC, he started on the project a day or two after the close, and has been working on it since. Having no contacts in the area, I relied on my agent, who is investor friendly, he gave me a couple of contacts that he trusted.  I called all of them, only one of them picked up when I called, which is very important to me.  His price was reasonable, and he said he had the capacity to do it, and he came recommended, which was all I really needed to pull the trigger.

Long story short, after this experience, I would probably only do it with a general contractor, but I think the key is finding the right general contractor.  If you have a good agent, they should be able to help you with that.  

Journey Toole from Keller Williams is my agent and Darryl from World Builders And Contractors is my contractor.

Good luck