To be your own GC or not?

[Ben C.]

I have heard arguments going both ways... Pros: You will save money You will learn more Cons: You are entering the contracting business and not the investment business You are tying up your time that you could be using to find new deals or do multiple deals at once What are your thoughts on the subject either way?

[Darren Budahn]

The short answer on whether or not you should be your own GC is “it depends”.

I think for most people it’s a mistake unless you really have a lot of time to devote to it. If it’s a small rehab you can try and manage it yourself, but if it’s a major rehab, I would look at finding a GC. Find a deal with enough of a spread that you can afford the GC. Most likely your time is better spent elsewhere.