But yea I would have been proud of the work if I did what I wanted to do so I will definitely scale back and invest that extra money into a BRRRR property down the road... 

And when you say you rented the basement or you saying you turned your basement in the first home into a extra room and rented it out?

If you have or don't have contracts with your subs, you can still write up a simple agreement that states any extras will be paid cost plus a %.

Had to get outside the network contractors at extra expense.

For the past few years I have put real estate on the back burner cause I thought it was a extra income to my first job.

Are you prepared for the thrill of making money using your wits instead of your back?

Does anyone know someone who wants to install 6 double hung windows for extra cash in the Peoria/Pekin area?  

After a lot of curse words and a extra $2500 the AC is fixed and the electrical is done.At this point things are now moving smoothly, Electrical is done, AC, plumbing is looked at, concrete poured for the kitchen addition, roof done and were ready for Sheetrock!

so about $60/mo extra.  

I need that extra money to close on another investment property this year.