And sometimes, we are not materially improving what you could have done  yourself. 

Rehab costs and ARV (After Repair Value) are key parts of evaluating deals, so it’s great that you’re diving into these concepts early.For rehab costs, creating a rough estimate starts with understanding the scope of work and local pricing for materials and labor. 

I would also add, a contractor that you can buy materials for and they know how to put them in with little to know direction (reduces the management time of the project).

Because it's a material fact to them.

Focus on tax-saving strategies such as cost segregation studies and bonus depreciation to accelerate deductions.By qualifying as a Real Estate Professional (spending 750+ hours annually and materially participating), you can offset your wife’s S-Corp income with real estate losses, reducing your tax liability.

Some of the materials we choose and asked him to pick up (such as flooring) he replaced with low quality materials, I assume to keep more of our money for himself. 

I have a 10x8 shed that I use exclusively to store real estate materials and supplies.

I understand the basis is all the remodel cost or labor and materials. 

I take a big magnet, tie a string to it and dump it into the pool, and all the steel balls fly to me.There are drawbacks to SEO absolutely.

A deposit at the start of a build is normal, this usually pays for materials and labor to get started.