Contractors in Baltimore and Washington DC

[Brad Chandler]

Is there anywhere on BP that has a list of contractors? We are in need of contractors in DC and Baltimore metros.

[Marcela Correa]

I'm a contractor in DC and we're busy. We turn down GC work on a regular basis because our goal is to grow as investors not contractors so we don't expand our crew. We have no website so all of our business is referrals. I don't intend to brag--just providing the contractor's perspective. That's to say that when you're doing good work, there is plenty of work to be had in DC. And these are all retail clients so I imagine if contractors can get retail prices, they're less likely to want to do work for investors (who most assume will pay less). Maybe the way to attract the good contractors is to offer equity in the deals rather than just fee for service as @Terry Beall said above.

I would like to know other great GCs so we can refer business to them. 

Rates for daily laborers here are $120 or $150. The Home Depot guys often won't get in your truck for less than $150. The other day we needed more guys to help dig and build a retaining wall and we picked up a few at Home Depot...once they saw what the work was about they walked off and said they'd prefer to walk back to the bus stop!

Margins are getting tougher with the rising prices of labor and all of the insurance costs. 

...just a few loosely connected thoughts this beautiful Veteran's Day.