Hiring Contractors--Lesson Learned!

[Donna Welschmeyer]

We are under contract on our latest project, so I wanted to share some lessons learned from our 8th flip and our first attempt to hire contractors to do more of the work on our flips. And yes, many of the "lessons" I learned could have been avoided, I'm sure, had I paid more attention to all the information posted here on Bigger Pockets!

1. Do your research! No matter who recommends a contractor, get multiple references and look at other work completed. Apparently I am a slow learner, because we tried three (yes, three) contractors recommended by our realtor or one of his colleagues. None of the three contractors will be invited back, for various reasons.

2. Details, details. Be very specific about both the quality and quantity of work you expect and do not just assume that those expectations are being met. Check up on it often! 

3. Don't overthink it! On each flip, I have hand-selected paint colors and finishes, tile, lights, vanities, carpet, etc. This makes it interesting, but it is time consuming! As recommended at a recent seminar, I am going to pre-select a set of supplies (or maybe two--one beige and one gray) and stick to that (with exceptions, of course, as necessary). No more HOURS spent at Floor and Decor!

4. Recordkeeping. I have an accounting and business background, among other things, and each time I start a project, I convince myself that I will keep better track of everything. Well, that hasn't happened yet, so I plan to give serious thought to also hiring someone to do my recordkeeping. Boy, it's hard to let go of thinking I can do it all!

Thanks to all of you who answered my questions along the way. It's great to have a resource like Bigger Pockets!