How do weekly labor draws work for rehab projects?

We quote your full project price upfront. Instead of paying 30-50% as a deposit, you pay weekly as labor progresses. Each payment is credited toward your project total. Draws start at $4k/week for smaller projects and scale with project size. Materials are separate: we provide detailed lists and you purchase directly, so you control the spend.

Is SLH a project manager or contractor?

We're the licensed general contractor. Our crews do the work: demo, framing, plumbing, electrical, finishes, everything. We're not a middleman coordinating other contractors.

Why do investors purchase materials separately?

Transparency. Traditional contractors mark up materials or bundle them so you can't see what you're paying. We provide detailed material lists with quantities and timing. You buy directly from suppliers at cost. No hidden markup, full visibility.

What payment methods do you accept for rehab projects?

The $150 scope fee can be paid by credit card. All other payments (weekly labor draws, final balances) are wire transfer, check, or cash only. No credit cards for project payments.

How do I qualify for Portfolio Partner pricing?

You qualify with either 3 or more concurrent projects OR a commitment to 5+ projects per year. This gives you 10% off weekly labor draw rates plus priority scheduling and included pre-acquisition estimates.

Do you handle permits for rehab projects?

Yes, as an add-on service. We manage the entire permit process including applications, coordinating inspections, and maintaining documentation. Permit fees are passed through at cost.

How do I find investor-friendly contractors?

Local REIA meetups, supply houses, job sites, and referrals from other investors. The best investor contractors are found through the investor community, not consumer review sites.

How do I keep good contractors working with me?

Consistent deal flow, weekly draws for predictable income, fair pricing, and professional communication. Contractors stay with investors who pay on time and treat them like partners.

How many contractors do I need on my team?

At minimum, have a primary GC and a backup. For multiple simultaneous projects, either use a GC who manages multiple crews or build relationships with 2-3 independent GCs.

What is included in the $150 scope visit?

Full walkthrough, scope of work, cost breakdown, timeline, and weekly draw schedule. We handle the full team coordination so you work with one point of contact.

Do you have your own crews or use subcontractors?

We manage crews and coordinate specialized subs as needed. You deal with one point of contact. We handle the team management.

How to Build a Reliable Rehab Team as an Investor

Your rehab team is either your biggest asset or your biggest liability. There's no middle ground. The investors who scale to 10, 20, 50 deals a year didn't get there by finding one great contractor. They built a system.

The Core Positions

A full rehab team typically includes:

General Contractor / Project Manager. The quarterback. Coordinates all trades, manages the schedule, handles inspections, reports progress. At Seller's Little Helpers, this is who you deal with directly.

Demo Crew. Often the same crew that does framing and general labor.

Electrician. Licensed, insured, fast, code-compliant. Non-negotiable.

Plumber. Same requirements as the electrician.

HVAC Technician. System replacements, duct mods, final connections.

Drywall Crew. Hanging, taping, finishing. Speed matters here because drywall is often the bottleneck.

Flooring Installer. LVP, tile, hardwood. Different materials sometimes need different people.

Painter. A good painter makes a mediocre rehab look professional. Don't skimp here.

Where to Actually Find Them

The best investor contractors aren't on Yelp. They're at:

Local REIA meetups. Other investors are your best referral source.
Supply houses. The guys at the plumbing supply house know who's busy. Busy means good.
Job sites. See a quality rehab in progress? Stop and ask who's doing the work.
Your existing team. Every good contractor knows other good contractors.

How to Keep Them

Finding good people is hard. Keeping them is harder.

Consistent work. A steady pipeline means your best crews prioritize you because you represent reliable income.

Weekly draws. Predictable weekly pay keeps crews loyal. They know they'll be paid every Friday. That matters.

Respect. Pay on time. Communicate clearly. Don't micromanage. Treat your crew like the professionals they are.

Fair pricing. Don't grind on price. A contractor making fair money on your projects will prioritize them over lowball clients who squeeze every nickel.

Common Team Building Mistakes

Single point of failure. If your entire operation depends on one contractor, you're one bad day away from disaster. Always have a backup.
Hiring on price alone. The cheapest crew is rarely the best value.
No vetting. Check licenses, insurance, and references on every new team member. No exceptions.
Verbal agreements. Everything in writing. Scope, price, timeline, payment terms.

Scaling Your Team

When you're running multiple projects, your team needs to scale. Three options:

Your GC manages multiple crews (our model)
You develop relationships with 2-3 independent GCs on weekly draws
You build an in-house team (for very high-volume investors)

Most investors find option 1 or 2 works best. Redundancy without diluting quality.

Your team is your business. Build it right and it returns that investment on every deal.

Book a $150 scope visit at sellerslittlehelpers.com - let us show you what a professional investor rehab team looks like in action. Call (708) 536-6700 or email info@sellerslittlehelpers.com.

How to Build a Reliable Rehab Team as a Real Estate Investor