(Electrical: fans, lights, etc)6) WHAT CONTRACTOR WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY MY INSURANCE7) Does any insulation need to be replaced in the attic to meet codeIf it is simply replacing a small section of PVC in both the bedroom and bath, and just replacing, taping and floating, texturing and painting then your friend, or even you, is qualified to perform that work.

Keep in mind that active investors won't "give" you much of their time to help you become successful because they're business people and they recognize the value of their time.  

This organization is recognized nationally for their expertise on everything related to the science that goes into building construction.

It works.Several banks will do it and some will even fund you in full when you have proven yourself.Private lending is easy...very easy to raise here so that it helps with paying CASH for you to REFI out later.

Before spending money on an estimate I was hoping to get a general sense of cost - something that has proven more difficult than I thought to find online. 

Though stressful at times, it has proven very successful having someone pay most of our first mortgage for us.In the last year I have also procured my Property Management license and am working on building my business part time with an end goal of making property management and ultimately investment my full time gig.  

To sum up what Bill said,   It's hard to make a basement apartment into a legal unit as recognized by the city.  

I do recognize the importance of having an intermediary well ahead of any transaction.

The other issue I would raise is that most experienced investors recognize a generic, "let's connect" email for what it is, a waste of time. 

Anyone who has spent time in corporate America will recognize this reality.