That aside, I hope to take an average of other BPer's and compare it to my assumptions to see how much I'm overcharging/undercharging myself.

-Not taking proper care of properties, neglecting maintenance, ect-Trying to overcharge investors buy tacking on hidden charges such as a fee on top of maintenance bills.

Truth be told we turn away a good amount of “brokers” as they show their cards in a very fast way... over charging points, misquoted terms...

I know the larger/commercial property managers play this game of overcharging based on a "comfort fee" and have the volume to back up this strategy. 

TLDR: Don't feel scammed or overcharged this will be typically of any PM company.

NO communicating with you, keep proceeds of rent, poor tenant management.....drinking, drugs........ over charging?

Everyone wants to overcharge you for simple maintenance work and do the least amount of "managing". 

I think I may have been overcharged.  

Not saying that he will overcharge you or work slowly, but that's certainly where his financial incentive is for that particular job (hopefully he thinks longer-term, but many contractors don't).Negotiate a flat rate for well-defined work, and go from there...

My question to anyone willing to share wisdom on the subject is this: is there any way to legally word a contract in order to prevent another $4,000 "overcharge"?