When I was buying, concerns were the quality of new construction, the timeline fluctuations and cost increases.

Fees (including points) are obvious, but lenders also can (and usually do) bump the rate a wee bit to make a "yield-spread premium" or "back-points" on the deal to further increase their profit. 

For instance, spend $10k on a kitchen remodel, increase your value by $8.5k (or whatever, but it's always less than the expense).I figure I must be missing something, because BiggerPockets is full of investors talking about their contractors, etc.

Am I in the wrong seeking to pay less than what these services market themselves for?

Stable rent with annual increases, low turnover and long term. 

That increase your cost- Travel.

My recommendation is to seek someone who fills in for your weaknesses / things you do not like to do

I was going to also increase their late fee significantly or to accrue daily, but a new law in CT just set the limit to $50.

This will continue to push up the prices.Sales - Months of SupplySales - Median $/SF by MonthDespite increasing interest rates, $/SF climbed throughout 2023.

.- Bitcoin Crosses $1 Trillion Market Cap (@KobeissiLetter).Today’s Interest Rate: 7.13%(☝️ .17% from this time last week, 30-yr mortgage)Mortgage Rate UpdateMortgage rates are climbing higher again this week to 7.13%, doubling last week’s increase - up ~1/2% in just 2 weeks.