If you think they have the skills to get it done correctly you might want to extend an olive branch and do the unthinkable...offer to pay more after they complete the job to a reasonable standard.

However, having these skills I think I could do much of the work on a fix and flip myself and I have potential investors who can buy outright a house which I could flip up to certain amounts and share in the profits. 

Sounds like you and your partner have a good mix of skills and the "get rich slow" mindset is the best way to approach real estate investment. 

Once you get a deal or two done, you can refine your skills with every person you encounter.

I am nearing retirement from the military and they offer a program called the Career Skills Program (CSP). 

I am considering getting a real estate license to use MLS and have access to many more properties in the market.Also, a bit unrelated but I'd like to gain basic property inspection skills.

Happens all the time, Trump's a resident of FL along with a lot of other ex-NYC types.Toyota moved all their operations to Houston and Apple, oddly enough, happens to make 98% of their profit in Ireland for tax purposes.You're being naive, people with jobs, skills and money will move, leaving behind those without jobs, skills or money.If you need an example, a lot of OR (income taxes) PERS (pub retirement) recipients move to WA (no income tax) across the river.  

The thing about the property's records office is you need to know how to look up a title, which should be a skill every investor should at least know how to do. 

I'm looking to direct my design/marketing skills towards flipping homes. 

I have no previous experience in investing, but I believe my design and networking skills made my first flip project such a home run.