A process is far more important. 

Enjoy the process, and may your journey lead you to a rewarding and successful outcome!

Quote from @Leo Alvarado: Hey guys, I am currently in the process of closing on a two unit duplex that I will be occupying while renting out the other unit.

What tools or processes have you implemented to estimate rehab costs more accurately and avoid scope creep in BRRRR projects?

I'm in the process of meeting and vetting two (for now) Cape Coral builders who might have the expertise and bandwidth to take over partially built projects like yours.

You tied up 70k and a minimum of 6 months just to go through this process. 

What are some standard process or contracts needed before the partnership to make sure both parties are protected?

The borrower's experience is important, but what's more important is the "Hard Asset," Hard money lenders rely on their due diligence process to determine the potential future value, review the renovation plans to get to that value & sometimes even the contractor.  

Should I be prioritizing finding a local expert, or are there tools and strategies I can use to handle this process myself?

The process of flipping and rehabbing isn’t just about the renovation itself—it’s about having a clear, long-term vision for the property and executing it step by step to bring that vision to life.