All Forum Posts by: Nicole Pettis

@Louis Van Der Westhuizen absolutely! You’re welcome:)

@Louis Van Der Westhuizen you should always be looking for contractors. Network, referrals, whatever information you can get the better. Talk to them, find out how they work, how many years they've been in business, see if they have a portfolio of work or a few references. 

Few things that I have learned over the years.

• Use contractors that have been in business at least 3 years - usually by this time they should have their business in order, meaning finances and crews. 

• Make sure they are licensed(if need be) and at least insured. Always get a W9 from whomever you hire

• Make sure you have them sign lien waivers before you give final payment

• Check your city's court documents(public info and usually online) to ensure they don't have any judgements against them

• Do not pay 50% up front. Start out with small jobs where you spread out the payment. Be fair, but balanced.

• See if they follow through on what they say they are going to do

• When you do get a rehab, have a complete scope of work ready for them. Do not walk and point. Have it written down and as specific as you can get(ie paint colors, flooring choices, kitchen updates). Do not leave anything open for interpretation and be as clear as you can be about all finishes, payment and deadlines

• Have contracts in place outlining the scope, payment process and deadlines

Doing these things will help with your project and you will have less headaches during the rehab process. 

Finding good solid contractors can be tricky, but it can be done. However you constantly need to keep finding more and more, so you have backups just in case. So keep networking as much as you can. 

@Shawn DiMartile usually a general contractor is licensed, which means they can pull permits for the job. Most municipalities want permits pulled if taking out walls or doing any kind of major renovations. However if its a small job that you can manage yourself, then, yes it makes more sense to hire out individuals for each project.

@Nikki Berg it sounds like there just isn’t enough support underneath the floor in that area. If a foundation is bad you would have one side of the house falling, but because it’s in the middle, it’s the joists underneath. You either need some support posts under that area or someone needs to sister in the joist for more support. 

A structural engineer would be a better option to help you figure out why that area is sagging 

@Arash Vafa while you can't use FHA loans to fix & flip, you can use them to house hack. FHA has a program called FHA 203k where you can purchase a distressed property(owner occupant only) and use the 203k funds to fix it up. You have to live in the house for a year, but you've now gained equity in your home. There are some restrictions to the loan, but overall it covers majority of repairs.

Many will say its a pain to deal with, but I had no problems when we did ours. My GC didn't have any issues either. However you do have to find a lender that does the FHA 203k loan program & a GC that knows how to do the paperwork for the loan. 

@Melissa Dunn Hire slow, fire fast. I would have the ones you are interested in do small projects for you and if they follow through on those and get them done in a timely manner then I would move forward. 

Have a fully detailed scope of work. For example if you want them to install interior doors, then make sure it says, install interior doors along with hardware. Then ensure all doors close properly before pay out. Make sure that they do what is asked but also that it works correctly. 

Make sure your GC has all the necessary licensing he/her needs for your area, make sure they don't have any judgements against them(ie owe people money or have taken off with money)

Set up progress payments with detailed expectations - For example, 20% will get paid after rough in is completed and so on. 

As for apps and such, I just use excel and google spreadsheets.For communication, we use Voxer.  I've tried multiple apps and they are so inundated that there is a huge learning curve before you can properly use it. Plus most contractors do not like to use so much technology.

Also, just make sure that you still manage your property, while hiring a GC will release you of the work, you will still have to manage the job. 

Hope this helps!

Great job @Arianne L. way to stay consistent and grow this business!

Thank you @Marcus Auerbach!

@Scot Henry Hi there! I’m a rehabber/flipper here in Milwaukee, but I also help others like yourself project manage their investment properties. I’m able to come in bid the job & manage it as well, i have a great network of contractors that i use. Please let me know if you’re interested in discussing your situation & I’ll see if I can help out. Thank you! 

@Paul S.

Yes, I would completely demo this bathroom, minus the tub and toilet if both are in good shape. Then for the drywall, you should use greenboard for majority, then for the tile surround, hardiback or durorock. Tile & Grout size doesn't matter as long as its done well. Yes, for the caulk and like @Sean Carroll mentioned, use mildew resistant paint. For the floor, I would use luxury vinyl plank. I absolutely love it. Its easy to install, durable, most have a warranty and is less costly to replace if it gets damaged. Slip and mildew resistant. 

Then yes, I would also change out the exhaust fan as well to properly vent the area. 

My experience for this kind of remodel, the cost is usually in the $3k - $4k range. 

• Demo
• Minor plumbing & electric
• New drywall and durorock
• New tile
• New flooring
• New Vanity and Faucet
• New exhaust fan
• Paint
• New baseboards

While most of this is inexpensive to replace, installing the tile can add up along with materials. However prices vary from state to state and even city to city, so I would get a few bids. 

Good luck!