Building new houses is very risky at this point in the economic cycle, especially with a highly cyclical industry fueling your buyers - pun intended!

Yes, I've been reading all about them and looking for opportunities (pun intended).

We have had some animal damage (large holes in the yard, damaged fences (just replaced a fence this past weekend that had used its life but it also had animal damage that I did not charge because the cross boards had significant weather rot so the animal made the fence look less attractive but likely did not shorten the life of the fence), some damage to flooring, damage to doors), but it has always been less than what we have collected due to the animals.A pet peeve (pun coincidental) is people with no medical issues claiming service animal. 

A 1-3 person shop seems like they would fit your needs pretty well as long as they aren't (excuse the pun) over taxed with other clients. 

Also, if you work a 9-5, it can make investing in RE very passive for you.The key (not a pun) here it to invest in a market that isn't "overplayed" You gotta look somewhere that all investors aren't flocking to just yet.

I think you hit the nail on the head (yes, contractor pun intended) finding the right fit is the key and that all depends on what you are looking for in the relationship. 

That is another thing that weighs on me (pun intended).

(pun intended)This is 2018.

We've had other fish to fry (pardon the pun!)

So, more money to make my pockets bigger (pun intended).