Grew up in Glen Ellyn, great town - glad you found your way to BiggerPockets - it's worth signing up for the PRO level to use the built in calculators (under Tools).

@William Collins, I grew up in Manchester.

I've done multiple single family homes in Texas which is where i grew up but I now live in Washington.

I can't speak on how demo is done in certain states but from what I could tell you being a license contractor here in NY and you being in NJ which should not be much difference is do the following steps.1- have them demo and take everything plumbing and electric.2- the only scrap metal you should keep is copper, but also negotiate with the demo grew to reduce some cost if they want the copper, all other scrap metals are not word it.3- has for the electric, just have them leave you 2 plugs because that's all you need until you update all your electrical. mostly all power tools are cordless so I doubt you will blow a fuse and you don't need any light because you work will be done during the day.ALSO NOTE: do not have anybody mess/touch/remove with any electrical panel or any electrical box, leave that for a license electrician to do because thats a big safety issue that could bring a lawsuit if a non-license electrician gets any injury for attempting to do so.

My husband grew up in Conroe, not too far from Spring.

Nick Ovington I grew up in Cambridge, my fam is all still there.

As my experience in lending grew I tweaked it here and there.

I grew up in Florida and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah about 5 years ago for family, friends, and school.

All I did was focus on the things that I could produce and control and the funny thing, we just naturally grew apart.  

I am originally from Las Vegas, Nevada and grew up around construction and contractors.