If I am doing a lot of the work myself (with my own cash), then does that work factor into the SOW, and by extension factor into the "as completed" value?

It’s really an extension of credit granted by the seller to facilitate his sale!

What @Brandon Turner has done purchasing undervalued properties and forcing appreciation is incredible, however, this strategy requires you to be extensively involved in the business and it's not for everyone.  

To be short and direct, I need an Real Estate Agent/ Investor who can pull comps on an extensive list of properties today.

It’s really an extension of credit granted by the seller to facilitate his sale!

I am from Ohio and invest in Ohio but I have lived and worked my entire adult life in different parts of Asia and have traveled  extensively through 12 Asian countries. 

After reading extensively & listening to the podcasts its exciting to finally start putting some of this knowledge base to use.  

They just can't seem to sell it because it has extensive fire damage and therefore needs a LOT of money put into it.  

I set this up to payoff when the underlying note is due.. so in theory if it all works I get the use of the 100k  My seller carry back interest rate was higher than the rate Im paying my bank and so I make some cash flow on delta and there you have it.Now of course what happens if my buyer walks or can't pay.. well I then have to pony up the 100k or get an extension from my bank or find another..

I agree with what you said, if you provide the plans, put it in the contract that he is to follow it, and or repair/replace if not done correctly.....if not file suit.Also after reading some of the comments from others, I feel it necessary to say that sometimes depending on the contractor and how extensive the work maybe I try NOT to make it to comprehensive with contracts or etc, because this could scare some of the smaller guys who are reasonably priced away.