I'm brand new to Bigger Pockets and just recently moved to Los Angeles County.

Licensed contractors have more of their "shtuff" together and thus are better at their job and naturally will cost more.

I was now without power, or water.

This is where it gets tricky and the real work will come in.

Appreciate it @Mohammed Rahman decided to sell and move on to the next deal with more knowledge.

Would need to know a bit more before giving a specific direction but it is usually best to hang on to your property and not sell whether you expand on it or rent it out and purchase a bigger property.  

go to local meetups, they should have some here or try meetup app or eventbrite. continue to network and that can help you execute your plans.

Water is shut off and they are removing the electrical meter.

My experience with friends/some clients is get their numbers via whatever method you can and reach out via the phone.

Ensuring transparency and efficiency in managing owner resources is critical1.Clear Communication on Costs: Provide owners with detailed breakdowns of repair costs and explanations for necessary expenses.