Calculating Repair costs

My response to this is that it takes experience and investigation to educate yourself on rehab costs, and its worth the time. Until you've done a few jobs of different sizes its hard to know. I've learned on my own from my last two jobs by getting at least 3 estimates of costs for each phase of rehab. I've made a book of these for quick reference now. I also go through Lowes, Depot, etc with my digital camera and take pics of appliances, flooring,lighting etc with the prices and install prices. These I have printed and put in a book as well. So when I go through a house with my checklist, I can then go home and get a pretty close idea of what its going to cost. After a while you can look at a kitchen and say - 10,000 complete or a bathroom and say 5,000. But it takes time to learn your prices. As I said before - its worth it. Also, of course, having a contractor go through the house with you is another way to do it as well. But underestimating costs can be costly - so take your time and do it right. Good luck!

is going to have a class on just this on friday night. It also fits within my budget(free) so I signed me and my wife up to go through it.

Let us know what you learn this Friday Tony!
PS - yesterday i met with 2 window replacement companies. One was 225/window installed with 25 trade-in, the other was 175/window installed with 75 trade in! Guess which one got the job and is going in my 'contacts' book

That is pretty good. So net cost is $100 per window. How much extra is installation?

That INCLUDED the window. They are practically giving them to me. I dont know how that worked out and I dont think that is the norm - I just caught them on a good sale with a good trade in special to say the least.

I would recommend going to your local area home improvement centers such as Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Most of these centers have a referral sheet or information sheet in each department. You can then call a few contractors to get free estimates. Also, look for local services in your area through referrals from maybe an investment club. Most contractors can give you a cost estimate based on sizes of projects. You will then gain enough knowledge to start calculating items for your self by the square foot. Wjether it be carpet, florring, windows, roof, furnace, etc. Good luck on your deals. Believe and Achieve!

Joe, that is a good tip. Thanks for the info!