
15 September 2025 | 11 replies
Quote from @Jacob Guereca: Recently, things have started to gain real traction for my General Contracting and Electrical, There’s nothing I wouldn’t sacrifice to protect this opportunity.

24 September 2025 | 13 replies
The (notorious) electrical utility now requires me to have a special license to dig trenches for underground conduit, it includes a behavioral test....so im nice to their workers. 2 months of portals, videos & testing + $500 annual fee.Im not a fan of ban culture, someone always goes around it somehow.

1 October 2025 | 15 replies
There are ductless electric units and the technology continues to improve.

1 October 2025 | 2 replies
The opportunity: Tighten operations around three levers—Cost, Time, and Revenue—while de-risking each flip with disciplined underwriting and execution.1) Cost: Tame Labor & Materials Without Gutting QualityValue-engineer the scopePrioritize visible ROI items: paint, flooring, lighting, curb appeal, kitchens/baths (surface updates > layout changes).Replace, don’t relocate: keep plumbing and electrical in place when possible.Use finish tiers (Economy / Mid / Premium) per neighborhood comp set; avoid over-improvement.Lock pricing earlyGet three-bid packages per trade with identical scopes, photos, and SKUs.Negotiate 30–60 day price locks on materials; ask for bulk-buy or “contractor pack” discounts.Use allowances (e.g., $2.50/sf flooring) with pre-approved SKU lists to control change orders.Build a dependable labor benchMaintain a preferred-vendor roster (primary + backup) for each trade.Offer fast pay terms (e.g., net-7 on verified milestones) in exchange for pricing and priority.Test small jobs first; promote trades to your A-list only after on-time, on-budget performance twice.Standardize to reduce wasteCreate repeatable finish schedules (same trim profile, faucet line, paint palette) so crews work faster and leftovers are reusable.Pre-kit jobs: one delivery per room (box includes all hardware, fixtures, and consumables).Contracting disciplineUse fixed-scope, milestone-based contracts with:Progress draws tied to inspections/photosNo deposit or minimal mobilizationLien waivers at each drawDaily liquidated damages for missed deadlines (after grace period)Written change order policy with price + time impact before work proceeds2) Time: Move Faster to Reduce Carry and RiskFront-load planningWalk the property with all key trades before closing; finalize scope, bids, and schedule ahead of day 1.Pull permits early; choose scopes that avoid structural or major MEP reroutes when timelines matter.Sequencing & overlapSchedule parallel workstreams (e.g., exterior/landscaping while interior demo proceeds).Use a Gantt chart (even a simple spreadsheet) to track trade start/finish, dependencies, and buffers.Daily control15-minute stand-up with GC or project lead each morning (photos + punch list).Two inspections/week: one quality, one progress vs. schedule.Keep critical spares on hand (breakers, valves, GFCIs, common trim, extra boxes of flooring).Tech + templatesSimple tools (Google Drive + shared photo folders, or apps like Buildertrend/Jobber) for scope sheets, punch lists, and photo proof.Use QR codes in rooms linking to the finish schedule for fewer “what goes here?”

22 September 2025 | 21 replies
Helps with your debt to income, better opportunities at cash flow, and typically requires less down to purchase.In regards to challenges, I usually build in an extra 10-15% to deal with things that I can't see behind the walls, including dry rot, electrical or plumbing issues, etc.

17 September 2025 | 4 replies
Key things to consider are city rules, running water/electric/sewer to the space, and whether a modular/prefab ADU could save time and money.

3 September 2025 | 7 replies
This is my first time filing MA tax return. I am filing because I invested in a real estate partnership with properties in MA. They sent me a K-1. Crucially, I have other K-1s from other states.
The only taxable in...

19 September 2025 | 0 replies
California development is slow, and utility coordination (PG&E for gas/electric) can be a difficult path.

17 September 2025 | 17 replies
The systems (plumbing and electrical), siding, foundations all vary greatly.