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Posted over 8 years ago

Building your contractor team

We kept putting this off.  Now that we will be putting 4 more properties under contract, I guess we really should get to it...Build a really good team of contractors.  I don't know why it seems like such a daunting task, I grew up around construction.  My dad started his own concrete construction business, which my brothers now run.  I really shouldn't be this nervous about this.  But, how do we find good ones, where do we look do we just start calling businesses???  Craigslist to the rescue once again.  We decided to put out a few ads on Craigslist and when people responded, have them fill out a contractor application.  It took me a total of about 20 minutes to make up the ads, and included a link to our contractor application on google drive.  I will let you know how it works.  If anyone knows good, honest contractors in the Topeka, KS area, please connect with me and give me their number.  We hope to wholesale a few of the properties we have, but would really like to rehab as many as possible.  But I need a really deep well of good contractors to do so.  All of our contractors must be insured, and we have 6 documents we implement for every project.  We pay on time, on a payment schedule, and are looking for long-term relationships to benefit both sides!


Comments (5)

  1. Did you every find a reliable handyman or contractor in Topeka?


  2. I'll take any and all advice i can get.  I would way rather learn from other people's mistakes instead of making the same ones myself:) I'm sure I'll make enough all on my own. 


  3. Be extremely careful with Craigslist contractors. The problem I've found is they tend to be very.... transient. They are way more likely to skip town, bail on jobs, and not be licensed. I have found that most of the high quality reputable guys are too busy to peruse CL. 

    I like to ask for referrals from guys I have used. They tend to know who is worth recommending. Other investors will sometimes lend you a hand (share their crews). 

    I would call contractors in the YP asking if they're investor friendly before I hired someone off of CL.


    1. Good to know,  Ryan.  I appreciate the feedback! I think I'll start asking around then and not rely on CL ads.


      1. I appreciate you taking it well. I've just seen people get taken too many times. A good portion of the contractor horror stories on here start out with CL. 

        Another tip is to make sure your contractors can afford materials. If they are so poor with money management that they want cash up front... Red flag. Mine bill in thirds. One third when they're a third of the way done. 2 payment at two thirds. Final when I'm satisfied. 

        It's also a good idea to make them sign lein waivers. Buddy of mine had a CL contractor demand 5k or he would file a lien and cloud title on a rehab.