What you use is what you have to pay back.Cash-Out Refinance Cash-out refinance this gives you cash from the equity you have built up in your home.

Do you typically pay someone to install? 

For example, using 70-80% leverage could preserve your cash for more deals while maintaining strong returns.A blended approach might work: pay cash for smaller deals to avoid delays and borrow on more significant properties to spread risk.

I will go see samples but figured you folks could give a definitive thumbs down if this is just today's version of cheap linoleum.

Am I ok with this plan to ride up the appreciation, mortgage pay down and rising rents?

These are not situations where you will pay a price down the road like not pulling permits for a kitchen/bath remodel.

Quote from @Pat Aboukhaled: Curious.. do you think a flat rate for the whole season feels more convenient, or would you rather pay per snowfall to avoid paying for a mild winter?

I would suggest approaching the borrower on an accelerated pay out with an incentive.

I was told by a local experienced investor that insurance companies will always go cheap with paying out to contractors in the event a property needs to be rebuilt. 

If it's in the restricted zone (within 31 miles of the coast or 62 miles from an international border, you have the choice between using a bank trust and paying the fees mentioned above or using a Mexican corporation and bearing the costs of establishing and maintaining  the corporation.