(looks expensive though)I also have a solid connection with a contractor who does fast work at his labor costs if I buy and source the materials.

All PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, and community choice aggregation residential customers — except for California Alternate Rates for Energy, or CARE, and Family Electric Rate Assistance or FERA, customers — will have to pay this tax, and it cannot be reduced or avoided, no matter how little energy a household uses.

Looking for recommendations for learning material you've found helpful.

Materials and labor is high right now so we aren't doing much fix and rents or BRRRRs since rates to refinance are high.

$135 a foot and an 18 month wait to build and the potential for materials to go up an additional 30%...

Something as simple as you providing the materials for the work and/or the tools can classify a person as your employee (state specific).

It makes sense that they're hard to find because most owners go the STR route, but long term leasing might be a reasonable alternative too.    

Any suggestions/recommendations about solid learning materials (book/podcast/youtube…)? 

That means scheduling the work in the right order, making sure materials are on site for the subs when they need it, and being available on site to make sure the work is done to your standard, and to resolve any problems that will definitely come up.I'd definitely find out what permits are required. 

Having to pay more for what is ours seems unfair.. but its better than the alternative.