Chalk it up to a lesson learned and fire them and get someone else to complete the job.

Thats not to mention if its even possible as there are a lot of access issues to be worked out on the civil side and fire accessibility side. 

You are playing with fire with this strategy to start, but then when you count in an inexperienced rehab to rent a year later, I would earmark this for disaster.

I've worked with government employees, families who have been displaced by fires, and other clients / employees who are my tenant but aren't financially responsible for the lease.

The other options you are playing with fire as using a HELOC that is paying interest is essentially buying with 100% financing.Having no skin in the game has always been a high risk strategy and people were able to get away with it the past few years due to the money supply and inflation but I would not use that as the measuring stick.

I was going to have to build an interior fire rated stairwell.  

Hey, my name is Erin. I'm 37 years old and brand new to real estate investing.
My goal is cash-flow from a multi-family via house hacking for my first property.My goal is to do my first deal on a 4-plez by March 6th,...

I don't know what market you are looking in, but in California that would mean solar panels, rain barrels, fire sprinklers, etc.

Choosing a professional restoration company seems really important, especially for damage like water, fire, or mold.

I recently read Rich Dad Poor Dad and had a fire lit under me.