Since I can't locate and set fire to the offending unit, I'm hoping there are preventative steps to keep them at bay. 

There is also nothing that prevents a contractor and a client or potential client to make other agreements regarding payments for example if someone wants the job done for 90% of the quote a contractor may agree if the client agrees to provide the contractor with a 33% down payment to get thing started.

Odds are you will never collect a dime, but it only takes 30 minutes to turn them over to collections and you may get something out of it.At a minimum, it will sit on their credit report and may prevent other Landlords from making the same mistake.

Apparently, the ginseng root yields high profits.

I do not know if it will add value, it may if it is uncommon for houses in the area to be insulated. and for $250, well worth doing, it may even help prevent any pipes from freezing in the future. as far as the electric, i do not find that price too bad, the basement will be easy for them to take care of, the 1st floor, they will have to open up the switch and outlets, tie the new wire to the knob and tube and pull the new wire up using that knob and tube wire and re install the switches and outlets, there is some labor involved and is easier with 2 workers. the lights are going to be the hardest for them to do and they may have to open some walls, i would check with the electrician on that and see if you are going to have the added cost of repair and re painting. a lot of times insurance companies will not cover you if there is knob and tube in the house and it was never disclosed to them, so it would be worth it to you for the insurance protection to have it done. over all though, it seems like a good price.

I have roommates so they could have flushed anything like face wipes or it could have been tree roots.

I would hire a surveyor, this will prevent any problems down the road, then there is no question where your property is. also check with your town zoning ordinance on fences, you will have to get a permit, the height of the fence is usually regulated and the distance back from the property line you have to install it ( usually around 5" back) posts on your side and the fence facing the neighbors.

Hello BP!  I was hoping to get some help/advice.  I purchased a SFH at the end of July.  Closed on 7/27.  My original plan was to rehab and flip the property, but as I approached my close date, it was apparent to me t...

You need to incentivize them to mentor you or partner with you, either you work pro bono for them or bring something to the table of value.To your comment about "shady" or dishonest, I would encourage to you be as honest and forthcoming as possible, I don't know about you but I got into real estate because I wanted to do something meaningful, profitable for my family's benefit, I wanted to benefit from my level of effort rather than giving it to someone else, and most of all I wanted to make the world a better place by improving whatever it is I am working on; I want to be able to lay my head on the pillow at night knowing I did everything I could today to move forward in a positive direction and did so with integrity in order to prevent any form of regret. 

Is there anything i can do to prevent that?