I was just listening to J Scott's podcast on show 10, I believe, and he has a "Project Manager" who handles that whole aspect... contracting, crews, material, time line etc.. the best part about this form of his business relationship with his Project Manager is that he is paid a percentage of the profit that Scott makes, whereas contractors generally make more money the more work they do, his guy makes more money when Scott makes and saves more money. 

From a landlord perspective,I think it benefits us in some ways, but if costs of labor and materials go up,it will be a wash?

A bathroom remodel there would probably cost you the same $8,000, maybe $10,000 since you might be using some nicer materials....and will probably return $20,000-$25,000 in increase sales price.

I don't know what strings could be attached to someone online, but there are tons of free resources that don't require anyone's time but your own.  

Building/reno materials market used to be reasonable/rational 10 years ago.

(minus expenses) I put some sweat equity into this house ( along with $7,000 in materials) and I just received an offer last week of $250k. 

Then I went around taking lots of photos inside my storage shed on the rental property; it's huge and full of tools and materials!

- Houses, food, gas, building materials.

The rest was materials at about $75 a square.

For a more finished high end look the metal trim would have to go and the upper cupboards would extend to the end of the counter or the backsplash material continue up the wall.