Look for projects that interest you, assess their materials, and then consider putting some of your own skin in the game as passive investor.

Go to Habitat for humanity and ask for materials you might get at a discount.

Spent $95,000 remodeling, mostly materials as I and co-workers did the remodel.

A side note when buying a multi-family:  I find most brokers who estimate expenses in their marketing materials are frequently off. 

well how about  taking a metal cloths hanger and sticking it straight into the powerhead and taping it directly to the 220.. now thats crazy. cut water meteroff run garden hose directly to house with enough wasted water to create a draught.wife rents to this nice hair dresser who they pay like a slot machine.. next thing i know ATF is calling me the boy friend that moved in has shot and killed someone  ... and of course we all have the tenants that destroy your house..

You have very little left to claim for in the way of damages unless you can show material loss.

From what I understand, asbestos doesn’t just grow into materials out of the blue.

@Christian L Babcock the system i just installed in my house was eligible for a 1,600$ rebate in Massachusetts. 2600$ in material Im a licenced hvac tech so labor was freeAnd a 1600$ rebate.Not to bad for a brand new hvac system for 1000$

It wouldn't cost much to do the work just material , me and the wife do this all day long for our business so we can do the work  ourselves .

Initial concept is for a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom units, basic in design and build out materials, with living space located directly above an oversized single garage stall.