Im sure the answers and or guidance you seek will be found here.

Also the Bigger Pockets podcast is a great place to learn a ton about the topics you are seeking info on.See you at the top!

Upside would be liability protection as you seek.

If it is a trade you seek as opposed to a g/c or handy man, reach out to local custom homebuilders, the guys doing a few houses a year,  in general they like to promote the people who do good jobs for them.

I have a bunch of experience in all types of construction (since I was 17) and having a real estate active broker license for about 30 years even though I never did that full time.I used that license to help close a few deals for other people and have only done one investing deal for myself.  

We sit in a very active market.

If you are actively buying in Camden I would stick to cooper grant, lanning square areas.

I kept that license active for about 30 years.  

Looking to expand my portfolio and seeking lenders to partner with to grow my business.  

Here are the meetups that my business partner and I host, co-host or actively participate and think are worthwhile for you to check out as well:http://www.meetup.com/SREIISeattle/ (we host this one.