Need a contractor, or other ideas, for home owner client

[Brian Wilson]

I am an experienced Realtor but beginner in flipping ways and have a seller who wants to fix a condo he has owned a while to sell. It is vacant. He doesn't want to sell as-is (I've tried but he doesn't like the numbers). At this point I am looking for a contractor in the Orange, CA area to refer that has a flipper mentality to keep costs down, the contractors that have been there are looking at retail numbers. 

Quick facts: Good condition and ready to sell would get approximately $575,000 - $600,000. 

Needs entire kitchen and baths (full and 3/4) redone. Needs flooring, about 1,170 sqft, interior painting, can lights and some drywall work from water leak a while ago, no moisture issues at all, originally built 1963.

One contractor estimate that I know about is in the mid $70,000s if paying cash and another in higher $80,000s (no discount for cash provided). Owner is not handy so don't see them doing any of the work themselves.

Would love to get some ideas from the community, thanks in advance,

[James Dainard]

Hey Brian,

Are you going through general's for these quotes? You might be able to get the budget down by sourcing your own subs and/or materials.

Depending on what your comps are telling you, you can consider scaling back the scope of your project. Are there parts of the bathroom that can be salvaged or refinished? That'd help you reduce some of your demo and install costs.

You can see if the contractor that does your drywall fixes can do in and do paint as well, most of those guys are willing to do it and since they're already on-site for the drywall work it can be cheaper than getting a painter. Just make sure they have experience.

Not sure what you're running for flooring, if comps let you get away with carpet or LVP that's probably the route to go.

It really depends on the amount of work that the seller is willing to put in in terms of finding these things. If they leave that piece up to someone else they'll have to pay a premium for the service right now.

Best of luck with the sale!