You want to make sure that you vet their work and insurance and things like that, but this is a great way to meet new talent. 

@David Lasky actually, FHA will approve you to have a second FHA-backed, owner-occupied loan on a 4-plex as long as you have a valid reason (like moving to GA for work) and having the new property be 50 miles or more from the original FHA-backed property.

My rough/finish carpenter is doing the work and no permit was required.

Unfortunately, the one thing that wasn't fabricated was our address.Clearly these villains are attempting to use our hard work and diligence to scam potential renters into divulging all their personal info so they can engage in identity theft.

You do all this work and put up all this money and risk to rehab a property only to live in it. 

Also, I read a few times that your quotes from GC’s need to be have a specific scope of work and in writing.

Try getting your time, work and money back on a handshake deal in RE.  

Another option is to split the cost based on the number of occupants in each unit but this also means you'll need to adjust the charges as tenants move in/out, so it requires more work and I wouldn't recommend it.

I know how they work and I understand them well.

Minor electrical work, and some siding repairs.