How to get Local Cost for Parts/Contracting for Flipping

[Geoff Antone]

I've been studying the Fort Worth / Dallas area to do a flip and been trying to get a realistic idea of local cost. I'm analyzing deals to see if they would be worth buying. 

I'm more familiar with LA cost with can be extensive, but I'm wondering if anybody here has a system for calculating cost without having a contractor walk the job site?

When I say trying to figure out cost I mean price per square for engineered floors or price per square to paint two coats wall and ceiling inside a house, etc. 

[Ryan Blake]

@Geoff Antone If you are thinking of looking into multiple markets, I highly suggest this book for estimates. It gives national average for jobs based on sizes. Then in the back of the book, it gives you standard modifiers to adjust to over 300 markets in the US. This is the book that insurance adjusters use to estimate repairs needed. I personally only buy it every other year because it is about $50+ if you get it online. The link I put in here is directly to the publisher's website.