One of my bucket list items is to have a million dollars in equity (and a LOT of debt) by 40 years of age.

Most of the rehab Investors  because it is so competitive have to get their remodel costs as low as possible so they will go with johnny lunch bucket who needs a draw to start and be paid once a week and cannot carry a job.. when you do that you expect to get better pricing. and its much like running a restaurant you can have great help but on a busy Friday 2 of your staff may not show...

The STR arbitrage, and no money no experience add no value "wholesalers" fall into the same bucket. 

If you want to skim coat it yourself, you need: 8 & 12 inch drywall knives, a mud bucket, a 5 gallon bucket for mixing, 45 or 90 minute drywall mix, and a bucket of premixed drywall mud.

@Chris Gawlik really, lumping all RE agents into one bucket?

I do the backs, bottoms and all edges before installing.I build a 2x4 base that fits perfectly underneath the inside of the base of the cabinets because well meaning tenants tend to spill the mop buckets they use every year or so and the bottom edge of those particleboard cabinets crumbles and sinks and melts into the floor "if" it ever gets wet.I too use 1x4's to back up all towel rods and such.I use 3/4 inch galvanized pipe for all shower curtain rods installed strong enough to do pull-ups.I use contact paper for all tub and shower surrounds.

soak a sample in a bucket.      

or simply put a $10 bucket there, and hope to remember to empty it when it's full ? 

Some TK providers may be using Johnny Lunch buckets and unlicensed contractors and getting a tad bit of a discount, but some companies are just better at running a business and I include myself in that.

It does not need to rain nearby to get a flash flood down a wash, that is why hiking slot canyons requires a knowledgeable permitted guide (definitely a bucket list item).