That's fair for both sides; you get cost certainty on either materials & labor, or labor only if you're willing to go through the effort of procuring materials, and the contractor either makes a little more profit on the job by being diligent about controlling costs or doesn't have to worry about the things S/he can't control (which is almost always material). 

Your agent might be able to sue you for fess they acquired in good faith effort to sell your property - marketing, includes pictures etc. this can go into other things based on a procuring cause as well when breach of contract has been established;If you went the FSBO route after ‘firing’ your agent, any buyer that came through that was a result of the first efforts made by your agent could be grounds for a suit of commission as they were the original procuring cause (they technically brought the buyer to your property first with their efforts), if you went on to ‘bad mouth’ your agent a subsequent defamation suit could possibly arise.

Use veterans to procure the housing, use veterans to rehab the housing, use veterans to populate the housing.  

Tenants often think landlords have magical procurement powers that regular people don't have.

What is your most effective avenue for procuring deals, specifically flips and BRRR's?

In real estate, procuring cause is most important in defining who is getting a commission.  

Learn the different techniques that are out there, to procure properties.

I just want to make sure he doesn't abscond is all.I know I could put a lien on his home per BP podcasts but i don't wanna go that route and just want to find someone reputable.I've listened to a bunch of podcasts to see it from the GC's end and understand they're just as scared of not getting paid, which speaks to the downpayment.I guess I just need to lets one go and take my time procuring the guy who'll work with little to no down which seems nonexistent in this market for GC's.....mind you I have had subs and handymen work for me prior no payment til finished and all went well.. this is a 40k General Congractor job, not exactly a handyman, so maybe my previous wording conflated the 2, as if I were a GC I wouldn't demo until i had some security on a 40k budget as well.I cant think of any GC on a $40k budget (its a basic rental flip, so not looking for high end materials here) starting demo with zero down unless this is the 10th job with the client.. are we talking of the same budgets?

This protects the buyer from having to pay for an appraisal if the deal falls through.Several factors influence how much an appraisal will cost, including the type of loan the buyer procures, the city where the house is located, and the size of the property.

My sphere of influence in NC is small as I moved here last January before the pandemic 😷 Any and all advice for procuring buyers/sellers/investors are welcome.