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.  

I agree, that being an engineer puts you in a position of limited business opportunities, but your knowledge can be adapted to any aspect of RE.  

And of course there are deals online with the typical big-box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot but I haven't decided if I trust them entirely yet (they royally screwed up my cabinet order on the last rehab that I did, and I wound up going to a regular custom cabinet shop instead).Laminate/Engineered Flooring and Kitchen/Bath Tile is what I'm interested in hearing from you on primarily. 

Anything of a serious structural issue...like the retaining wall on a driveway recently posted here....requires a structural engineer to determine scope of repairs which you can then use to bid.  

Also, you can help the ranking by adding key words through your website, adding informational articles, and using free search engine directories to get your name out, among other strategies.