I would like to introduce myself, Gary, and my wife Susan to the community.I am a practicing professional structural engineer and my wife is currently working for a home rental management firm that specializes in single family residences.We ran across the site a couple of weeks ago while researching investment ideas.We have read many of the blogs, listened to podcast, and watched videos.It quickly became apparent that there is a lot of valuable information and extremely bright people to learn from.

Several of the lenders we talked to commented on how they liked my experience from my engineering and project management background.

Haven't priced it out yet but I will probably pay between $2-$2.5k- sink $200, - faucet - $200, - backsplash $300 install, another $300 materials- I usually add canned lights in kitchen ~$80 per,- Flooring: If tile, I buy the $1 per sq ft ceramic so materials are cheap ($150), labor for that may be about $1k for a decent sized kitchen / If I do engineered wood, then about $2.50 per sq ft for materials and $2-$2.25 for installation- Appliances: about $1k, I don't provide fridge, just dishwasher, stove, microwave- Plumbing hook up - ~$250Bathroom:- I have had to demo walls before due to tile, so probably $300-$400 for new drywall if that is the case- Tile shower - probably around $250 for materials and $750 for labor (including cement board installation).

This breakdown is also how when you as an investor can value engineer, cut costs, when you project is legitimately over budget.  

I graduated from school about two years ago and I'm currently an engineer for a glass manufacturing company in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Maybe they aren't into real estate but they started their own business or got an engineering degree and went to med school.It sounds like you would like to enjoy some things you could afford but that your friends cannot.  

He informed me I could call a private environmental consultant who could have it verified and mitigated or approved from the Army Corps of Engineering. 

Like I said it has some scary foundation stuff but I work with a couple structural engineers who aren't trying to sell piers (but have every incentive too) telling me that it's no biggie... just a veneer problem.

After running through the beginners guide and picking around a bit, BiggerPockets seems to be a treasure trove of information.I'm a 27 year old mechanical engineer who bought his first house in June (who am I kidding...

Many think they are engineers, architects, construction managers and skilled craftsmen and think they can charge accordingly, not IMO.