A few random questions about rehabbing

[Patrick Philip]

I have a few questions in preparation for my first flip...

1. I am hiring a handyman to do some things that the State requires a contractor to do. For example, I can get a handyman to replace a toilet for a fraction of the cost that a contractor would charge. This may not be good long-term practice, but it is what I'm doing at first.

My question is for things that are easily visible from the outside. For example, if the handyman is replacing the front door or a window on the front of the house, this could easily be "caught." Is it a good strategy to avoid getting caught by doing these tasks on the weekend?

2. My personal residence has 2 bathrooms. One of them has baseboards, but the other has ceramic tile where the baseboards would be. Is this just something weird in my house or is this done for a particular reason? Should I consider doing this in the bathrooms of my rehab projects? Here's a picture....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/np2gn2v52hwvlts/07311721...

3. Do you suggest using 1 knob systems for tub/showers instead of 3 knob systems? Personally, I think they look better, but this isn't about what I like, it's about what will sell for more.

4. I am purchasing a SimpliSafe security system to use while the house is being rehabbed. It cost about $250. Do you think it would add more than $250 in value to the sale if I left it in after the purchase?

5. Do you think an automatic sprinkler system would pay for itself by fetching a higher sales price? Is this mandatory in higher priced homes?

6. What do they call the wood that is on the side and top of a door opening on the inside of a house? You can see the side in the picture that I attached. Is it called a door frame? A door jamb? Something else?