SFR: Subcontract Rehab or Do It Yourself

[Doug Hadley]

I just purchased my first SFR last Thursday and have been doing the demo and rehab myself. The question that I'm trying to answer is that the quotes that I'm getting from subcontractors is much higher than my monthly carrying costs. Should I keep the rental vacant and do the rehab myself or do I spend more upfront on subcontractors and get it on the market quicker?

As an example the interior painting quotes have come in between $2700-4500. My carrying costs are around $900/month. I should easily be able to do the painting myself in a month and save $1800.

I hate painting but hate wasting money more.