All Forum Posts by: Cole Walker

@Angel Torres I would start a discussion on here that included a lot of key words for your area and words like contractor, construction, development, real estate etc. That way hopefully you can find some people here on Bigger Pockets in your area that can help you out. I would also look on craigslist in your area for job postings and see if there are construction companies advertising openings for their company. Depending on the size of them (the construction companies) you may be able to email and tell them what you have already told us here about wanting to learn the ropes and willing to do whatever they need, even if its to get people in the office coffee!

Also looking up a local real estate club around you will help. If you attend one regularly and get to know some people you would be amazed at what networking like that can turn up.

@Cooper Rewa I would say the biggest items would be roof, siding, and foundation.

I am assuming you are hiring an inspector before you close on the property? The inspector can give you a report and summarize what they find wrong with the property ( a good one will even note an old ac unit, or an old water tank). With that info you can forward it to some contractors and get ball park price to fix what is wrong.

@Nick R. 

How big of a roof is it?

How many ridges, hips, and valleys are there?

Any sky lights or sun tubes?

What is the pitch of the roof?

What kind of attic ventilation is there now? Does more need to be added?

I bet ya there is at least one or two rotten areas up there that will need to be replaced.

What type of decking currently under the roof?

I am assuming you have been on a roof for a period of time during a summer day....

In my own opinion if you have something as simple as a mono slope roof or one ridge along the length of the building with no skylights and just a few roof vents and plumbing vents with no furnace or fireplace vents, and its one story, heck ya go for it.

If its a 2000 or 2500 sq ft single level home or even two stories with a lot of stuff sticking out of the roof, I would get a few bids.

I will be bias here.... but if a recent grad came to me and was honest about knowing nothing of construction but had the want and will to learn, I would find something for  him/her to do in my company. They pay may not be grand but the person would get a taste of remodels, additions, permit process, etc. 

I think that knowing basic construction processes, what is quality work, and what questions to ask contractors and sub contractors will help you out in the long run. Maybe you could even find a contracting company that is affiliated with a development company, i worked at one of those for a few years and learned a ton!

@Jon Russell Thanks very much for the info!

@Nghi Le Thank you as well. 

I appreciate @J. Martin  to try and get Brandon to respond in here.... he must be busy doing podcasts :)

Nice to see a couple people from my neck of the woods!

I have tried it multiple times. I think it has matched perfect two times. The times I got a good match was from Sherwin Willams. Home depot can't match their own colors when I give them the original can of paint with the paint code on it. Its worth a shot but I bet you could repaint in the same amount of time. Oh one thing is that some places will be able to match if you have something the size of a quarter, I have been to paint stores that want a 2" sample. That means hole saw and drywall patch after the match.

I agree with @Robert Leonard 100%. Have a couple paint colors and thats it. Makes life a breeze. You have less waste and its gonna save headaches in the long run.

Thanks for the input!

@Tatyana Shevnina That is a good idea. Ill check that out if all else fails here. Thanks!

@Dick Rosen Thanks. Ill see if anything turns up here and then follow that through.

@Zach Schwarzmiller It is a SFR that was converted to a duplex by the previous owners. The downstairs is currently rented, the upstairs is not.