Opinions about when to repair and when not to repair

[Michele Velazquez]

Hi everyone,

I am excited that I just bought my first 4 townhomes in Austell, Ga.  The inspection report came back with a lot of findings and I just wanted to pick your brains since you all are so experienced.  Do you have any rules on repairs? like when to fix and when to not fix?  It seems like the previous owner didn't fix a lot.  The Property Manager is recommending to at least fix safety issues.  Some of them are obvious needs (broken windows, moisture, etc).  But some I am not sure about such as fixing a wooden ladder that goes up into the attic.... (Thinking why not just use a regular ladder and the repair expense is over $400).  A leak outside of the house with a hose?  Do I fix the water pressure regulator gauge now ($350 in each unit) or wait and see if it causes leaking later?  I don't know but I know you all do so hit me with your best advice, pretty please!

[Matthew Paul]

Quote from @Steve Vaughan:

Quote from @Matthew Paul:

@Steve Vaughan Irrigation guy at $110 per hour ?   Thats on the low side , its $125 to $150 around here . 

I can kind of see that for high level design and timer/manifold repairs, but my PM got quoted $500 for a leaky valve replace and T&M at $110 to dig and troubleshoot a wire.  
I went over and reset and greased an O ring and tightened a splice in 8 minutes to correct all.   
This was the straw that sent me selling.  Tired of doing it, can't trust someone else to do it without getting raked over. 

 @Steve Vaughan 

 I understand . I do all my own work , thats how I profit with my rentals .  In my world as a contractor , if I send a man out hourly , its $100 an hour plus materials  including travel time .  Landscape companies are paying labor $20 to $25 an hour and cant find help . 

You see all the posts on this site where someone wants to rehab a house or rental and are suprised at the prices . They dont know the difference between a contracting business and a guy with a truck and some tools . They usually pick the latter and then complain .