What can also help in estimating repairs is becoming familiar with the cost of materials.

However, if your goal is to get around the redemption period on a tax title deed, I caution you as to any deceptive consumer practices.Indiana is a property judgment state and has stringent consumer protection laws as to material misrepresentations, unconscionable and fraudulent acts.

Prior to relocating to Texas last year we would manage the properties ourselves but after the move it became difficult and we had had a poor experience using an external management company.I am already negotiating on purchasing two single family homes that are already tenant occupied as well as waiting to see if a short sale purchase materializes.Almost all my experience comes from multi-family renters so if there are anyone selling or wanting to partner up, let me know.I've never tried a short sale before and the plan is to rehab and relist the house.  

I would suggest either a high quality asphalt shingle with a Lifetime warranty (50 years material, up to 25 workmanship guarantees) or a natural slate tile.

Of course pricing depends on the materials used, but still we'd like to have an idea about what is reasonable. 

When pulling out the old carpet, I got the carpet and a middle "pad" type material out, which had the majority of the pet smell in it.  

We have our own construction company with 2 construction supervisors and we are training 4 project managers now to manage the estimates, contract documents, w-9, scheduling, Gantt charts, detailed scope of work, contractor verifications and contracts, coordination with designer on material specs, invitation to bid to subs, lien releases, permits, etc.

Also, material suggestions for countertops?

I have an alert for 'Edmonton' and that's how I saw this post.Along with reading material and interacting with people on the site I recommend you start attending local REIA meetings and networking with investors. 

All material over a crawlspace is going to require refreshing more often than I like.