Giving them jobs along the way, cutting grass, painting, etc. 

A/C, Roof, Water Header, Paint...

Some paint, outside trim, landscaping and things such as that.The location is about 30 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge, and 45-60 minutes from New Orleans.

They held my money for 3 months until I got the Lead paint scraped off the front porch/columns and stairs.

This is typical with colored wood and usually comes about after cleaning or painting it.

Things I think we should look for are asbestos, lead base paint, floor settling and sinking, shingles popping up, closet space/fire place, galvanized plumbing.

I have solid connections in electrical and plumbing, but looking for someone who has basic carpentry skills (install trim, take down walls and re-frame walls, etc), installs floors (hardwood and vinyl), minor painting, basic tile work, things like that.

I'll spare you the details.I never signed up for a 100k-200k remodel, just put in new windows and maybe paint each unit as the tenants move out.  

And they messed the kitchen cabinet painted all over into the appliances, so we had to clean up their mess.

Also thinking the specialist route for major paint (which would definitely be involved for my houses), garage door replacements, and landscaping.Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.