Your biggest problems here are going to be how to properly qualify someone, what to do if someone stops paying, footing the bill if you have a big repair item, finding quality and reasonable vendors/contractors to fix things, and keeping track of payments.If this isn't you, give me some more context of where you're at and I can give some better insights. 

So I'm guessing thats the item. 

We typically estimate standard costs for these items but get them done much cheaper with our own crew.

My CPA instructed me to list my repairs as CAPEX or repair items , furnishings were supplies for the rental. 

Unless those items are all satisfied (except for housing violations and some non-monetary liens which follow the property), the department of finance will not allow the deed to pass through to the next stop in the recording process.So even if you wanted to dump a property that was totally upside down with liens to someone who was willing to take it from you, you can't do it.

I think the above are the type of items your engineer wants you to look at.  

We could look them over and see if some of those items in the scope of work are unnecessary.Not sure how all of that is getting done for 9k.

I also like to use incidental insurance as an additional layer such as Waivo to cover items.

I have also added line items for common area monetering and additional appliances.

I went actually on the street of the city I wanted to invest in and asked people just walking around about the city, what might rent, etc and found this method to be extremely beneficial I met some local real estate agents walking their dogs that gave me great recommendations and leads just because I asked them.The real estate agent son I met the other day has called my phone and is connecting me with a landlord that I really want to get into contact with for his building who already has tenants airbnbing at his location.I also found a Mentor (simply by asking around), which has offered to teach me all their ways, tips, tricks and so on as long as I help them stage, help them move items and so on.