How to find contractors to help estimate rehab?

Question

How would you find  a local contractor or someone you could bring to a home that you are considering putting under contract to estimate the rehab and you pay them a fee? I'm wanting to observe them do the estimation of the rehab and home walk through. I'm wanting to use some one a few times before doing it on my own.Thanks.

Jose Flores · Answer

Hey @Jacob Ogrady First, I want to tell you most wholesalers don't understand that estimating repair cost is one of the five skills to be a pro at wholesaling.  Given that you are very smart to develop this skill.  Before developing a rehab checklist highlighting my costs for materials and my costs for labor on the 20 major components of a rehab I would contact a contractor on Craigslist or when driving for dollars and tell them this-  "Hi my name Jose and I wholesale distress property.  I must give an accurate rehab cost to my end buyer who will rehab the house.  If you would take a look at the house and write an estimate of repair costs I would share your estimates as a bid on the jobs to be done.  Now I can't  guarantee he will use you but it may be a way for you to generate business.  Is this something you would be interested in working with me on?"  It has worked for me several times.  Hope this helps.