I also get to look back and see that I am consistently meeting milestones before plan.

The money of course people like but the achievements and milestones i see clients get more satisfaction out of.  

If you throw enough mud, some will stick and if you look at enough of these properties, you will eventually develop an eye for it.Alternatively, you can hire an inspector to assess each milestone on your SoW.

If you do not have a true vision of a goal that is fulfilling then reaching it or milestones of it will not have the satisfaction you hoped for.   

If I don't reach a certain milestone goal--so what?

We have milestones, that when they are met and I am satisfied with the work, they get partial payment.  

In order to mitigate most of the issues of working with contractors you need to have a very explicit scope of work, and a solid contract that specifies that payments are made according to certain milestones, and penalties for delays or rework.

Without having Milestones, Measurable Milestones, how will you know when you are successful?  

You can always use your cash for reserves.Incentivizing Contractors: Everyones here to make money so structure your payment milestones so that they are incentivized to work.

The following milestones took place since then on weekdays after work and on weekends: May - purchase of second duplexJune - purchase of third duplex July - purchase of a triplexOctober - purchase of forth duplex I financed all the properties through conventional 25%-down loans and the properties are more or less considered turn-key properties with minor work needed.