The water has been shut off, so the contractor is not sure if there will be any more leaks, and since it is bank owned we cannot start the water.

If you are new to real estate please don't discuss any potential deals that you are looking at unless you have them under contract or know the people you are discussing it with.No cost except your own food/drinks. 

So, I've got two separate, but related, situations as I plan my way through starting out.Looking to get into buy and hold/ rental /BRRR1) Both my brother in law and a very good friend are contractors. 

The ideal situation will do it as homeowner builder instead of getting a contractor. 

You'll also want to shadow a contractor, or investor to get a feel for rehab costs.

I would great appreciate referrals for reliable Contractors in the Hollywood/Dania FL area.

I would like to have them pay for gardening, pool maintenance, and plumbing.

What I have going for me - a Class A Contractor’s license, a healthy W2 salary (I’m an engineer at a “think tank”), a little bit of experience, and about $25k or so in the bank for my next investment.  

Macerators, in our experience, are touchy beasts; they do not work as seamlessly as regular household plumbing.

You can have a plumber do an air pressure test.You could also budget for plumbing repairs and work that into your contract price.Or you could just wing it!