Learning How to Rehab yourself

[Frank Leone]

Hello my friends, happy Friday! I am just getting started on my real estate investing journey. I have my Realtors license and I work full time at a factory. I would like to know your thoughts on doing the Rehab of your flips yourself. As in buying the materials needed and putting in some sweat equity. I have 49 hours a week to were I have free time. This makes me think that I should learn the necessary skills of remodeling and do it myself to cut my expenses way down and thereforeincrease my total ROI. I have some experience with demo and remodeling already. I will also be able to control the quality of the work because I am doing it. There are things I wouldn't have to do such as carpeting because my local hardware store installs for free with purchase of carpet, etc. What are your thoughts? If you had the time and knowledge to do such a thing would you? Would this be something to do especially for a first time flipper who also has his realtors license? Thanks guys!

[Arlen Chou]

@Frank Leone I am in the minority here on BP on this topic, I like doing my own work. I do everything from flooring to granite and everything in between. I also have a W2 that is not related to REI, so I understand your concern about time. I had no background in any construction work, but youtube became my best friend. You are 100% right about controlling costs and quality of work when you do it yourself. However, the time commitment is not something to take lightly. I did 8, 1b/1b units in a small complex a few years ago as my own personal training program. 1st unit took 3 months of part time labor to complete. The last unit took 3 weeks of part time labor. The learning curve is steep. But the upside is that I now have the experience to negotiate intelligently with sub contractors and create fairly realistic renovation schedules.