I'm a mechanical engineer by trade but ive always been interested in real estate.

We never heard about this conversation...A month later we get a violation letter from the township stating that our wall was not structurally sound and we needed to get an engineer to evaluate its soundness and if needed, remediate it. 

I'm an Army veteran and civil engineering student at the University of Connecticut interested in buying my first duplex with my fiancee in the Vernon/Manchester area.

Don't over engineer the plan.  

Can anyone give me some ideas for scheduling, and timeframe for getting work done quickly and efficiently.I'm kind of working as a General contractor, hiring Subs and a lot of day-laborers to get work done.For some parts of my Reno, where I need structural or to pull permits I'm getting architects/engineers and contractors.Most work will be done by laborers, flooring, carpenters painters, tile guys etc.Can anyone give tips and incentives for keeping workers on time frame and under budget?

Forgot to mention some basics.1) Get a good builder's risk policy for 10% above your budget.2) Get good engineering design, this will tell you what your foundation and framing spend will be.3) Make sure the builder and subs are all properly insured and bonded!  

Find a buddy with a Civil Engineering degree.  

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and currently work for Chrysler. 

I am an engineer by day and am looking to invest in real estate by night, and any other time I can find really.

If your goal is to be rich / powerful then here's a ranking of career types.working with your body (clerk, construction, farming)supervising people who work with their bodyworking with your brain (engineer, marketing) (college degree)managing people who work with their braininvesting your own money (real estate, stocks)investing the money of othersCalling this a ranking is overly simplistic.