Network word of mouth. keep putting yourself out there and ask around. contractor is one of the toughest tools to get in real estate. ask investors in your area for recommendation and prior work. best of luck.

Im curious if they know each other.It is very common for contractors or service trades to throw out very high numbers for any multitude of reasons.1: they might not like you personally 2: they are so busy with work 3: it's a job they don't like doing4: its ajob they have lil experience with and takes them much longer5: they dont like the work environment 6: the last flipper/investor left a bad taste in their mouth or possibly didnt pay themWhatever the reason it happens like thisI really dont want or need this job for $XX amount but if I can get $XXX then I'll do it.This is why everyone needs to get multiple estimates for every job they hire out.

We moved here 3 years ago and couldn’t be happier.

If I found that unicorn I would keep my mouth shut until I owned the unicorn farm and then I would breed unicorns in perpetuity. 

They happier your money partners are, the more they are likely to lend to you again.

I haven't dealt with vinyl flooring before, but from word of mouth people seem to love it.

I found this deal though word of mouth and purchased it FSBO

It sucks to lose that money, but most likely worth it for the headaches, bad worth of mouth to other students, etc that you could be facing ahead. 

If making your house nicer would make you and your family much happier living in it though, I would definitely recommend doing it.

If I sell you a house saying rent will be this much and now I am the PM for you I better be able to put my money were my mouth is and get you that much for rent.