No matter if you invest in a 401K, IRA, Individual Stocks and Bonds, Real Estate, Gold, etc., you need goals.   

Rather than wait any longer, I've decided to use my retirement savings to cut my teeth. 

Between a large chunk of savings bonds from my late grandparents and personal reserves I will be able to show at least $30,000 in reserves above and beyond my down payment. 

I wasn’t selling bonds filled with junk in them and neither were most flippers.

I'd complain to your state board, and if there is a "contractor's bond" imposed in your state, that is your best recourse, you need papers papers, papers.

If they taper their bond buying and allow long term rates to rise significantly then we will see a crash to a degree, maybe just a healthy correction. 

I'm reading your post to my GC b/f, he advises "it doesn't matter if you have it in writing or verbal, contractor is legally required to assure a permit is pulled for the work, regardless.Work is not suppose to be started until then.Options are, to call license board and his bond may cover to remedy/satisfy inspections, permits, etc.. but, may open can of worms. 

When these problem tenants moved out (trashed the place), I had to pull teeth to have them put max # of people in the lease, that everyone in the house had to be listed on the lease, etc. etc.

Or would you have a guy who just read two books on dentistry get close to your teeth?

I went out there today and after pulling teeth (ironic because they are dentists) I was able to figure out that they were using a hot plate at the same time as the microwave on the same breaker.