It's not like the all-knowing MLS will open up to you immediately for free as soon as the state licenses you.The coursework and materials cost money and time.Additionally, realtor coursework often touches very little on real estate investing.

Get multiple bids and take middle one.Find someone local that can recommend someone or at least go to yelp or Angies list etc.Best way to add up costs is  to take the materials and a contractors day rate and go from there.

Occasionally, a full service lumber yard may have someone who can put together a fairly comprehensive list of materials for you and then you can add X% for labor. 

Spend time educating yourself on all the material provided by this site.

We have a ton of free materials there.

Since I've started to seriously look into REI, I've watched literally hundreds of youtube videos and am devouring all the reading material I can get my hands on.

My wife and I are a fix and flip duo- feel free to ask me any questions you may have about where to get materials or anything locally, as well as appliances which I wholesale. 

Tenants have $1800 security deposits but they usually get most of it back  Are they damaging your property to the point they should be paying or are you using materials that aren’t meant to be used?

Working with existing materials, conditions and other legacy elements can definitely be more work than getting a bulldozer to clear the site.

-Mass/Density of materials used is very important and sealing penetrations is as well-absolutely 5/8 drywall- if possible 2 layers with "green glue" or "quiet glue" sandwiched in between. you can buy quiet rock not sure of its fire rating so maybe only to be used in conjunction WITH fire rated drywall -drywall should be cut TIGHT to floor adj walls and ceilings. sound caulking should be used at all edges and seams and penetrations.