Different deals would call for different structures, pay outs etc....Have workers lined up ready to perform rehab - they've been trained what preferences we have (flooring, colors, hardware etc...)Rehab, stage, sell.  

But from what I understand, the contractor just needs to be licensed, insured, experienced, and have workers compensation, etc.

It's on a lagoon, which may need some serious work in 2019 when the permit is up.  

If you are doing any work that requires permits, electrical, plumbing or roofing then yes, you will have to use a licensed Contractor. 

HCAD is responsible for listing improvements(buildings & structures) on a property; however due to the size of the county some additions aren't picked up until a couple of years later and sometimes longer especially if the owner didn't pull proper permits.

But to start with I need to figure out the city permits and steps involved. 

If yes, were they permitted?

Measures like; Job growth, building permits, crime rates are pertinent for these types of evaluations.Good luck - Ned

It was November and since the house was not rented, it will stay empty till March anyway.The lease was done under the corporations name so they could justify the corporate business expense.The house was empty with no furniture so it was a bunch of construction workers sleeping on the floor with air mattress.

Remember a lot of these workers are the I am civil service and passed my probation period types and don't ask me to work.