Determining Repair Costs

[Joseph Ziolkowski]

Hi everyone, I have a question regarding repair costs. I don't really know too much when it comes to estimating repairs as I'm relatively new to real estate. When I initially walk through a property should I have a contractor I trust be with me to determine a general repair cost? My plan is wholesaling, so I actually won't need the work of the contractor, but rather their expertise on repairs. Is it typical to pay the contractor a fixed fee just for a walk through bid? Or is there a better way to determine the repair costs before putting the property under contract? 

[Dawn Brenengen]

@Joseph Ziolkowski  Get J. Scott's book

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Estimating-Rehab-Costs-BiggerPockets/dp/0988973715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480569398&sr=1-1&keywords=the+book+on+estimating+rehab+costs