How to find a contractor/construction team for rehab?

Question

So I found a potential SFH that Im looking to invest in, in the Augusta GA area, and am looking to find a reliable contractor/construction team to turn it into my set goal. I am located far away in Queens NY so not accessible to be in the area to check it out and was wondering what is the best way to recruit someone for the project. Is it Craigslist? Facebook?

How did you find your go to construction person?

Thanks for any tips!

How did you find your go to construction person?

Thanks for any tips!

Javier D. · Answer

Hey Daniel,

a lot of good advice here. Here are my 2 cents.

Aside from an investor my day job is being a contractor for FNMA and Wells Fargo. Contact a local agent in the area you are working who specializes in foreclosure sales. Ask them if they have a good contractor they work with on their REO rehab jobs. Us as reo contractors specialize in empty properties and rehab them to bring them up to market value so the bank can sell it off. My clients ask me to take before and after pictures to document the work in order to get paid. Try to get 2-3 bids and get a specific scope of work so you don't get hit with change orders on the work. REO contractors are usually below retail as far as costs go because we like to go in and out and are not set up to go tile shopping with you , pick colors blah blah blah etc. Some of us like me don't deal with public investors but you should be able to find someone with good referrals. Try looking for an approved SAM vendor (fannie mae vendor ) good luck bud. P.S. I do not work with investors nor am I asking for work on here.

Peter Mac · Answer

Daniel, this is what I was told from an experienced investor . . . put the property under contract ONLY IF IT'S A GOOD DEAL, and try to get 21 days of escrow before you close. Put some earnest money down.

Then call and set up interviews with a bunch of general contractors (GCs). To find GCs, look at:

Angie's List

Yelp (search for General contractor in Augusta, GA)

Call a few real estate agents in the area and tell them that you're looking to purchase properties in the area as an investment. Most agents would only help you if you provide them the listing

Call the person in charge of the local REI group in the area and see if you can get a contractor referral (usually they'll do it for free, maybe?)

After you've gathered all these contacts for contractors, set up a time and day to interview each of them in person (fly out there on a weekend!). Make sure you research on what to ask your contractors so you know how to interview them. Make sure to ask the GCs if they have any current, on-going projects going on. Then during your down time in Augusta, GA, randomly drop by these project sites to see if you'd hire them.

After you've decided on a GC and have flown back to NY, you can use your boots on the ground contacts to regularly check in on the progress.

Daniel Bryant · Answer

Well shes a very clever chickity, owns her home down there and had it built, but shes not a real estate pro like most here. Just a very bright and sensible person. I want to have her meet with the contractor/s and agent and take it from there

Patrice Boenzi · Answer

@Daniel B. sorry ...it has been a long day. I read that backwards. I see. What experience does the person who is going to be your "eyes and ears" have in overseeing a project like this? Do they have experience in the work that needs to be done, the negotiating with contractors?

Daniel Bryant · Answer

Thanks Patrice. Not too sure if I understand your question. I am looking to flip in GA. But I am located in Queens, NY

I have a friend down there who is willing to overlook the whole project, so she will be my eyes and ears. I also have an agent there.

Again, I came across this great house and the numbers on it make sense. I just need a RELIABLE contractor to execute the rehab correctly.

Where do I begin to look?

Thanks again

Patrice Boenzi · Answer

@Daniel B. you find your team through word of mouth, referrals, and working with them. It would be difficult to do that from so far away! Heck, I had a hard time with some of my contractors and I was in the area to interview/screen and check on the work.  I know several great agents in your neck of the woods - why not flip in GA? Just curious

How to find a contractor/construction team for rehab?

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