Getting more skilled in estimating rehab costs?

[Greg Stetz]

What’s a great way to get better at estimating rehab costs? I have books, I have a limited background in it (Dad is/was a GC in Pennsylvania but I did mainly labor and gutting of everything). Overall - besides actually doing it or hiring a GC, what’s a way to practice or become more knowledgeable?

[J Scott]

Find local investors who have flips coming up.  Ask if you can walk their properties and put together a rehab estimate that you can compare with what they are budgeting.  

Perhaps offer them something in return (payment, your time, your knowledge in some area, etc) to sit down with you after your walk through to compare notes and provide you more info.