They'll claim you  should have known it couldn't be cleaned, or that the cleaning was sufficient enough because it was done by a pro and therefore the carpet didn't need replaced.I'd rather charge for the replacement and have them say it could have been just cleaned.

If you already included the make and model from a HVAC company you trust then they are providing your quality workmanship already by you choosing them over the sellers choice.

They probably won't have much good to say, and then you'd feel like you've made the wrong choice even though the vacuum you purchased is good for the job.My alternative suggestion would be to talk to local building regulators / inspectors, and see if the roof replacement would need a permit, and an inspection.

If you "don't have the knowledge or the financing to take on this project" I would say your only choice is to pass on it unless you know some investors in the area who you might be able to partner with.

If someone invests with me, I provide sufficient proof and trust for the person to believe in my vision.

That should be sufficient to get the loan done, but it is surely a case by case thing.

Glad to hear that you and your friend are making the choice to get started. 

I'm no plaster expert but If I was guessing the choice will be between taking the walls down and hanging drywall, or maybe skimming over the plaster after removing the fabric covering.

(Ben Graham's "The Intelligent Investor" is perhaps the best volume on the subject), and I'll suggest that the core "value investing" philosophy is a direct corollary to the REI adage of "you make money when you buy, not when you sell", in that you make your money when you buy a stock when its undervalued and includes a sufficient "margin of safety" (itself the analog of a lender capping their exposure based on LTV).Patience, prudence, curiosity, and a desire to learn are hallmarks of a successful investor in any domain, and I'm with you in that I'll keep doing both :)

Would be my first choice, because it allows you to grow your portfolio without involving Partners and easier entry....GL!