I would like to deal with a local attorney with good reputation and reasonable fees to handle this instead. 

The key to buying turn key is working with a reputable turn key company that has your interest in mind and make sure you are buying the right asset class in good neighborhoods. 

As long as you find a reputable abatement contractor, the cost shouldn’t be hugely more expensive.

Couple takeaways from my first deal...If there is a clean out drain that's easily accessible, pay $100 for a plumber to stick a camera down there and see if there's any tree roots.

Confirm that the provider has a pristine reputation (e.g.

If he has a valid invoice from a company, and no one has photo evidence otherwise, work was performed and the judge may side with him as we would assume a reputable company would not spend 70 hours cleaning an already cleaned unit.

Reputation takes a lifetime to build and an instant to lose.

It's the type of thing that gives landlords a bad reputation and can create hardship for the tenants.2) Even if you could get it renovated for $20-35K to comparable condition to next door, $2,300/month for a $295K all-in is not a very good return, especially for Philadelphia, unless it's truly in an A class neighborhood.3) Under your scenario, you're not buying it with any equity in the property, you're all-in for market value if the ARV is indeed $295K.

Tell the plumber what the problem is.

Final payment after all work is completed and inspected.Be more or less flexible in your terms depending on the contractor's local presence, reputation, and years in business.