I think it's legit to pay up to $100 for books (usually 20-30 is plenty) and anywhere between $200-1000 for a course if this will help frame real estate investing for you in a manner that makes sense to you or if you are looking to learn a specific skill (deal analysis, finding comps, financing deals, estimating rehab costs, etc).Anything beyond this is them taking advantage of your sense of insecurity or unfamiliarity.

A framer ?

Add to your list a roofer and a framer for structural inspections.  

My framer had a family emergency, so I'm looking for someone ASAP.Can anyone refer someone?

Dig out guys all hispanic  flat work all hispanic  roofers all hispanic  my framers though are all white ( rarity) so on and so forth..

Our framer frames for two of the bigger builders in town, we have to pass a framing inspection with the city, each mechanical trade has to be independently licensed and has to pass (and schedule) their own inspections, I have COI for each sub, etc. 

I kicked a framer off of a job (my private residence) and he told me he was going to report my illegal garage water line (wasn't in the plans but up to code) to the city.  

I think you're better off to find a good team (plumber, electrician, HVAC, framer/carpenter, and handyman if you're not planning to do any work yourself) and try to establish a long term relationship.  

Framers, tile guys and painters will be in this week.

I have also been trying to find out about Meet up groups and just recently found one in Marysville.Locally I know good people in the sub-contracting world that I trust (concrete, painting, framers, electricians and plumbers).