From the sound of your area it sounds like you won't be competing with the brand new places, but you'll be better than the cheap places.

BTW LL are cheap so reselling you your REIA buddies would net even less than CL and flippers mostly only want stainless unless they are doing all white in which case they all must match and must be higher end.It's doubtful you can return it without a receipt.

Sometimes they are remarkably cheap.

It isn't cheap but when I negotiate it down some the gap isn't as wide and it's worth it.If I hire someone full time I have to pay futa, fica, workmen's comp, possibly match health insurance etc.

To address your concerns just look toward energy companies with share prices that have been beaten down due to cheap oil prices, what happens to their share prices when oil goes back up?

@J Scott   I still cannot get over how cheap houses can be built in Atlanta proper.Its amazing  !!! 

You are trying to get by cheap and then whine when the workman doesn't follow through as you expect.He is not there to be your friend.

This wouldn't be cheap but it should satisfy any structural engineer while keeping your 8" height. 

then main main coating -> Cut in (like house painting) around edges, penetrations, hardware; Coat main surfaces.You'll probably wind up using a good acrylic (cheap and easily available), to a silicone mix or pure (costly but lasts longer). 

. $130/year for Campbell's newsletter is actually pretty cheap by guru standards, but nonetheless, it's informative speculation at best.Others have brought it up as well.Unless you own property in that area, you have zero to lose and everything to gain.