Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2016 · 79 posts · 26 votes
Hello,
I am interested in buying a rental property to rehab then rent out for my first deal. (BRRRR Strategy) I look relatively young despite being 22 years old and I think it's a bad thing in terms of coming off professionally and respect in business. (I say this because it has happened to me before) How would I handle that and avoid being taken advantage of? Also, I have no experience working with contractors, how could I set the foundation of the investor & contractor relationship to make sure my first rehab goes smoothly? From what I've read and listened contractors can hurt your business if your not careful so I'm trying to do my due diligence.
@Brian Tran
You’re going to get played by contractors, bottom line. We’ve all been messed around with one way or another. Learn from your mistakes and that should help you from being played again. I had a 10k plumbing problem I had paid for, just to rip it all out because it wasn’t up to code. What did I learn? Plumbing. Never again will I have some sap do that again to me. Think of a contractor like a girlfriend. 90% of them you’ll dump but the good ones you keep forever!
That is a broad brush to paint with "you're going to get played by contractors". There are times when people get played, there are times when contractors are good contractors/bad businessmen and it hurts the client. What I have learned is referrals from trusted friend/family is a good way to start getting names. I will also speak to the building departments and see who they recommend.
Rental Property Investor · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Brian Tran
You’re going to get played by contractors, bottom line. We’ve all been messed around with one way or another. Learn from your mistakes and that should help you from being played again. I had a 10k plumbing problem I had paid for, just to rip it all out because it wasn’t up to code. What did I learn? Plumbing. Never again will I have some sap do that again to me. Think of a contractor like a girlfriend. 90% of them you’ll dump but the good ones you keep forever!
@Brian Tran
You’re going to get played by contractors, bottom line. We’ve all been messed around with one way or another. Learn from your mistakes and that should help you from being played again. I had a 10k plumbing problem I had paid for, just to rip it all out because it wasn’t up to code. What did I learn? Plumbing. Never again will I have some sap do that again to me. Think of a contractor like a girlfriend. 90% of them you’ll dump but the good ones you keep forever!
That is a broad brush to paint with "you're going to get played by contractors". There are times when people get played, there are times when contractors are good contractors/bad businessmen and it hurts the client. What I have learned is referrals from trusted friend/family is a good way to start getting names. I will also speak to the building departments and see who they recommend.
Interior Designer/Real Estate Investor · Eugene, OR · Member since 2013 · 168 posts · 91 votes
7y
Start with a good foundation of general knowledge. Read the "How to Estimate Rehab" book by Jay Scott. It will give you a basis of language that will indicate to a contractor that you have a general idea of what you are getting into and will allow you to create a mutually understood "scope of work". Make sure any contract you have is detailed. I do mean DETAILED. Line item, by line item what they are planning on doing. If they are not willing to create a detailed scope of work to include in their contract, then it is time to move on. Check out my blog post. "Contractors - The Final Frontier!" and "Characteristics of a Good Contractor"