Something to think about if you insist on picking up rents - what happens to your rent collection when you want to go on vacation?

Thanks Henry, I'd go a bit further and insist that you use the LLC name on ALL documents that are conducted in the business.This is great advice to start for a single member LLC, but a bit more to unpack when you add equity partners.

Then 1) check their license with the State website. 2) Ask for liability insurance and insist you are named as additional insured. 3) Make sure they are bonded as well. 4) Check their Workers Comp policy, make sure it is current. 5) Always get a lien release before you pay in full for a certain phase of the work like plumbing/framing/electrical etc...6) Never pay upfront, other than possibly materials...a decent Contr should have enough in savings to get going on a job.

Now if you (as the owner) insist that your PM scour Craigslist for a used $50 oven, that's your decision and does impact timing.

They didn't seem too happy with my response so I have been wondering:Am I doing the right thing by insisting that the wife's mother sign the lease? 

It is a bad time to invest in real estate now, even though most folks on BP will insist that anytime is a good time.

Yet our clients (and often management) insisted on using them over and over because they were cheapest, despite repeated poor work and missed deadlines.

If there are a few changes they insist on you making on the house, you could say you would do if they pay for it (The upgrades you would want to make at least).

Nevertheless the attorney insist on asking for one.

If you insist upon doing the work yourself, I would recommend getting a friend or contractor who has done this before to help you - there are some fine points that are not so obvious to the first-time installer (transitions, edging, doorways, etc).