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Updated over 11 years ago on . Most recent reply

how will I really make sure that I am in the right ball park for "guessing" the right cost forrenovation.
If I can't get a GC to come and look at a property and give me a bid on it before I put in an offer, (because another thread suggest they all charge for this) then how will I really make sure that I am in the right ball park for "guessing" the right cost to renovation.
My experience has always been with renovate and hold, so spending a little more than I thought I would on a renovation wasn't such a big deal at the time. Now that I am trying to flip 8 houses a year as a start to a CAREER, every dollar counts and needs to be accounted for.
I have J Scotts book on estimating...but does anyone else have some suggestions? I could always do the whole $10 - $15 - $20 per sq ft estimate until I have done a few flips with and have a relationship with a contractor to the point in which he'd come check out my property before I make an offer.
What would you do? Kinda new, kinda experienced...but need some insight.
Most Popular Reply

O.K. Amy I'm going to comment on this post just like your other one. Your making the FATAL mistake that most F&Fs do when they don't get a qualified bid from a qualified contractor. I've seen it happen over and over and you will lose $$ when you do this. Why does it bother you SO much that you may have to pay a qualified contractor a fee that most likely will be rolled into the bid. You start guessing and you start losing $$. As the old saying goes: Your stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. But good luck anyway.