I’m thinks just pay him his regular price for the job and throw him 5-10% finders/gc fee instead of making a 70/30 split or something like that.

The AMC charges a fee on top of the appraisers.

I'll add a few more things that can have a huge financial impact: required reserves, LTC (loan to cost), application or other upfront fees, and prepayment penalties.As a fellow flipper, I think it's important to have reserves, but they shouldn't be required as part of your funding.

You can put your license in referral at most brokerages and pay no fees and still be able to do referral business.

Everyone that has more than 1 or 2 properties should have some kind of basic spreadsheet that demonstrates how much that property is bringing in after all your fixed costs are accounted for, at a minimum - PITI, lawn care, HOA fees, etc.

It is very time consuming to get permit approvals and you may be in a position where you need to extend, pay fees, etc.. when your loan is past due.   

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

Charge a fee for the ESA.

I have read in forums that upfront fees are generally big no-no's.

I dont know anything about this company but it sure sounds like and advance fee scheme.