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.

When do I need a licensed GC instead of a handyman?

For any work requiring permits (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural), projects involving 3+ trades, projects above your state's dollar threshold, and any work that will be inspected during a future sale or refinance.

What are the risks of using a handyman for licensed work?

Unpermitted work that kills sales and refinances, stop-work orders and fines, liability if unlicensed work causes damage, and inability to get full appraised value on BRRRR deals.

Is a handyman ever appropriate for investor projects?

Yes, for basic cosmetic work: painting, fixture swaps, minor repairs, cleaning, and basic landscaping. Anything that doesn't need a permit or involve regulated trades.

What is included in the $150 scope visit?

Full walkthrough, scope of work, cost breakdown, permit requirements identified, timeline, and weekly draw schedule. We handle all licensing and permitting.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Licensed GC, full general liability, and workers compensation. We pull all required permits and handle all inspections. Every project.

Licensed GC vs. Handyman: Why It Matters for Investors

A handyman charges $35/hour and can start Tuesday. A licensed GC charges more and is booked two weeks out. So you hire the handyman for your full rehab. Six months later, the buyer's inspector finds unpermitted electrical work, the appraiser flags unpermitted structural changes, and the sale falls through.

Not every job needs a licensed GC. But the ones that do aren't optional.

When You Need a Licensed GC

Permitted work. If the work requires a building permit, you need someone licensed to pull it. In most states, handymen cannot pull permits for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural work.

Multi-trade projects. A rehab involving 3+ trades needs coordination. That's what a GC does. A handyman working outside their expertise creates liability.

Projects over a certain dollar threshold. Many states require a licensed contractor for projects exceeding $500-$5,000 (varies by state). Check your local requirements.

Work that affects resale. If the work will be inspected during a sale (which it will), it should be done by licensed professionals with permits. Unpermitted work kills deals.

When a Handyman Is Enough

Painting
Basic fixture replacement (same location, no wiring changes)
Door hardware replacement
Minor drywall repair
Caulking and touch-ups
Basic landscaping
Cleaning

Basically, anything that doesn't require a permit, doesn't involve regulated trades, and doesn't change the structure or systems of the home.

The Cost Comparison

| | Handyman | Licensed GC | |---|---|---| | Hourly rate | $30-$50/hr | Built into project pricing | | Permits | Can't pull them | Pulls and manages | | Insurance | Often none or minimal | GL + Workers Comp | | Liability | Falls on you | Covered by insurance | | Trade coordination | None | Manages all trades | | Inspections | Can't schedule | Handles all inspections | | Warranty | Usually none | Typically 1 year on labor |

The handyman is cheaper per hour. But the GC provides permitting, insurance, coordination, and warranty that the handyman can't. For anything beyond basic cosmetic work, the GC is the right choice.

The Risk to Investors

Hiring a handyman for licensed work creates specific investor risks:

At sale: Title search reveals unpermitted work. Buyer demands discount or walks. Appraiser won't appraise at full value.

During project: Building inspector discovers unpermitted work. Stop-work order. Forced retroactive permitting (which means opening finished walls).

After sale: If unlicensed work causes damage, you face liability as the property owner who authorized the work.

At refinance: BRRRR investors - the appraiser will check permits. Unpermitted work reduces appraised value or prevents the refinance entirely.

The Seller's Little Helpers Standard

We're licensed, insured, and pull all required permits. Every project, every time. Because the $500 in permit fees and the slightly higher cost of licensed work is nothing compared to the $5,000-$50,000 cost of getting caught without them.

Book a $150 scope visit at sellerslittlehelpers.com - licensed, insured, permitted. The way it should be done. Call (708) 536-6700 or email info@sellerslittlehelpers.com.