My husband and I purchased our first duplex in Columbus, OH, in early August for $430K. We live in Massachusetts, and this is our first multifamily and first out-of-state investment.

We budgeted around $40K for repairs and renovations and interviewed four general contractors at the property before choosing one. The initial quote was close to our budget, but as work progressed, additional issues came up. We’re now at roughly $70K.

The original timeline was two months. We’re approaching three months, with several missed completion dates.

About six weeks in, I became concerned that our project wasn’t being prioritized. The GC acknowledged delays on their end and apologized. My husband wanted to keep the relationship positive and initially handled communication through weekly, general check-ins only.

The turning point for me was a city code violation. About a month and a half ago, a city inspector identified issues with the fence and tree branches. The GC promised to address them and coordinate with the inspector, explaining that they handled this kind of thing regularly. I trusted that assurance and didn’t follow up to confirm completion.

Last week, we received a code violation notice in the mail concerning the fence. I asked whether this was a new issue or the original issue that hadn’t been fixed. The GC confirmed it was the original issue, still unresolved roughly six weeks later.

That was when I really lost my patience and trust. Unexpected repairs are one thing, but a known issue they promised to address sitting unresolved was especially frustrating. I told my husband I was taking over the follow-up.

I have been checking in daily and asking for specific updates on each unfinished task starting last week. I’ve explained that we need the work completed promptly and properly. Still, “next week” keeps becoming another week.

We’ve booked a flight, hotel, and rental car for my husband to inspect the property on November 6. The GC has promised everything will be finished by November 5. I’ve explained that if the work isn’t ready for our inspection, the remaining payment will be delayed. With work commitments and a one year old boy, we can’t keep traveling back and forth.

My biggest concern is how to verify the quality. Even with my husband there in person, we don’t have the expertise to know whether the roof was replaced correctly or the plumbing was done properly. Looking finished doesn’t necessarily mean the work was done right.

I’d appreciate advice from investors who have managed renovations remotely:

• Who do you hire to independently check the work? A home inspector, another GC, or separate roofing and plumbing professionals?

• What documentation do you request before final payment? Permits, inspection approvals, progress photos, warranties, or something else?

• How do you manage communication and repeated delays? Are daily, task-specific check-ins reasonable at this stage?

• What would you do differently on your next out-of-state renovation?

We’re hoping to get the units rent-ready before the holidays and winter make leasing more challenging. I understand that older properties can reveal unexpected problems, but the growing cost and shifting timeline have been stressful.