You could go to work for a remodeler too perhaps giving bids, selling service or see if they will train you to be on a crew.You could also go to work as an ISA for one of the big wholesalers. 

So you could see about going to auctions and winning a "cheaper" bid on a property there, if you decide that's an option.

Is it wrong they tell the investors if asked to say they are "partners", or "contractors" just bidding the job? 

A new site for NH foreclosure auctions just launched called Bid Pirate, worth investigating.

The contractors who did not give me detailed bids, or even formal bids at all, were quoting me between 15-45k just for labor.

I found a property on an auction site that I'd like to bid on.

If you want to know if it is a fair price for your area and this time of the year, simply get two or three more bids.

As an invetsment-friendly agent (based out of Houston, TX), I’ve seen how the right professional will help you analyze cash flow, manage comforatble contractor bids, and even drive for dollars if you want a broader look at potential comps or deals in the neighborhood.

Hi, pre foreclosure in all of its permutations, before the bank sends Notice of Default (NOD) or efter which is state even county dependant but often starts a 4 week clock till the trustee auction are the 2nd most difficult deal scenario and IMHO only experienced investors should bother, the 1st most difficult deal scenario are bidding at the court house steps on lord only knows what is being auctioned off sometimes even 2nd mortgages, you need to do so much home work to attempt to reduce your risk at the court house steps...Pre foreclosure no one talks about these issues, always about the nice sounding stuff like "motivated seller" get a good deal etc etc both are usually not the case.- 95% of folks in pre or post NOD want to stay in their house, keep their house inspite of them 100% will loose the house at the auction. 

So yes, get a good General Contractor and have him bid it specifically to what you want.