@Drew Osifalujo References, references, references. Also, don't take the lowest bid you find. Interrogate the bid to get a better understanding of how they came to those numbers and how realistic they are. Be sure to walk through some of their in progress properties and completed properties. This is a critical decision and can turn into a huge headache. Put the work in to find a good one.

@Dave Spooner

Thanks for the feedback. Love your use of the word "interrogate" because it is a constant reminder that, as the customer, any contractor I do business with works for me and as an investor the expectation is that work to help maximize my investment. I'm pretty easy going by nature so one of my chief concerns with becoming an investor was being able to firmly negotiate with contractors. Will definitely look to find a solid middle ground between price, reputation and prior work. Looking forward to putting this into practice. 

Lastly, you mentioned references. Is there a preferred source where you have found the most credible and helpful references/reviews for your ? I would expect the contractor to only provide their top clients for contact, while independent Yelp-like testimonials tend to skew negative. Hoping to source a middle ground for the most relevant feedback.

Thanks, 

Drew 

Hey @Drew Osifalujo - definitely get out to local meetups! I've met some of my best contractors via meetups. 

Also, hit up my realtor friend @Eric Yu who holds it down out in your neck of the woods in the investor-friendly agent game. I'm sure he can connect you with some of his go-to contractors in the Seattle area. 

There are many things you do not need a GC for.  Certainly, for new construction and structural.  Not so much for flooring, roofing, electrical, plumbing, gutters, siding, landscaping, drywall, grading, HVAC, carpentry, painting, etc.

I think I used a GC once on the first 10 house I re-hab'ed for removing a load bearing wall. Slowly build your network of skilled trades and one GC.  Give them repeat work and pay them immediately. Good ones are not going to tolerate bid negotiations.  They are good because they do honest, quality work and they know what it is worth.  Good contractors are not cheap and cheap contractors are not good.  

I don't think I have solicited multiple bids on a job in the last 5 years.  If one of my trusted subs tries and shenanigans, they know it is the end of things they love - repeat work, no bids, and immediate payment.  

I got my GC license to remove the GC cost from new construction. Probably 80% of the subs I use know more about building a house than I ever will.

@Drew Osifalujo, best way is through referral!

Thanks for the shout, Dan! @Drew Osifalujo, shoot me a DM. Definitely recommend going through the referral route. It's really hard to gauge otherwise. 

Selecting an investor-friendly general contractor is crucial to the success of any real estate investment project. Here are some tips on how to select an investor-friendly general contractor:

1. Look for experience: Choose a contractor who has experience working on investment properties and understands the unique needs of investors, such as tight deadlines and budget constraints.
2. Check references: Ask for references from previous clients and follow up with them to ensure that the contractor is reliable and delivers quality work.
3. Review their portfolio: Review the contractor's portfolio to see if they have worked on projects similar to yours and if their work aligns with your vision.
4. Assess communication skills: Choose a contractor who communicates clearly and promptly to keep you informed and address any concerns or changes in plans.
5. Evaluate pricing: While pricing is important, don't choose a contractor based solely on the lowest bid. Consider the overall value they can provide, including quality work and on-time completion.
6. Verify licensing and insurance: Ensure that the contractor is properly licensed and insured to protect your investment and reduce your liability.
7. Assess compatibility: Finally, choose a contractor who is compatible with your working style and can collaborate with you effectively to achieve your investment goals.

 I always like to see what they have done before. I will even ask to call someone they have worked with previously to find out how the time line actually went, did they go off budget, and were they happy with the final project.