Managing your contractors as an out of state investor?

[Henry Hsieh]

Hi guys, my question is as my title says.  How do you manage your contractors as an out of state investor?

Personally, I have found it a little harder for me because it seems like a lot of people try to take advantage of you although I try to optimize through best practices of selecting a contractor and agreed scope of work and price to avoid pitfalls.

Do you optimize someone on the ground like a broker to help out?  How do you double check on the work itself without having to fly out every time something needs to get done?

Additionally, how do you handle conflicts and when do you escalate?  Thanks.

[Matthew Paul]

@Henry Hsieh  Well I am a contractor and investor . I am in the field 2 and 3 days a week dealing with the blue collar "dudes" . And the white collar also .  You will never get to 50 doors hiring the cheapest labor .   

When you hire the GC you are hiring the person who has all the connections with the subs , has a relationship with engineers , and inspectors etc . You are hiring a professional .  My most used tool isnt a hammer or a saw , its a phone .  My team has been in place for 2 decades . I dont use the cheap subs . When I call they are there . A well oiled machine . Naturally we charge a premium . But If a job is scheduled for 3 weeks to complete , its done , ( unless there are changes ) 

What I have seen over the years is  If you cant afford to do it right , how can you afford to do it over .