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.

What does a general contractor do?

A GC coordinates all trades, manages the schedule, ensures code compliance, handles inspections, performs quality control, and serves as your single point of contact for the entire rehab.

How much does a GC cost?

Typically 10-20% overhead on trade costs. On a $50K rehab, that is $5,000-$10,000. A good GC saves most of that in timeline savings and avoided mistakes.

Do I always need a GC?

Not for cosmetic-only work (paint, flooring, fixtures) if you can coordinate yourself. For any rehab involving 3+ trades or permitted work, a GC saves you time, money, and headaches.

What is included in the $150 scope visit?

Full walkthrough, scope of work, cost breakdown including GC coordination, timeline, and weekly draw schedule. We function as your GC for the entire project.

How is your GC model different?

We are built for investors. Weekly draws, separated costs, timeline-focused management, and an understanding that every day matters because of holding costs. We are not a homeowner GC.

What Is a General Contractor? | Real Estate Investor Guide

A general contractor (GC) is the person who coordinates your entire rehab. They manage the subcontractors, schedule the work, handle inspections, and serve as your single point of contact. Think of them as the project manager with a toolbelt.

What a GC Actually Does

Coordinates all trades. Schedules the plumber after the framer, the electrician alongside the plumber, the drywall crew after inspections pass. The sequencing puzzle is their job.
Manages the schedule. Keeps the project moving day to day. Handles the inevitable conflicts and delays.
Ensures code compliance. Pulls permits, schedules inspections, knows what the building department requires.
Quality control. Checks each trade's work before the next one starts.
Communicates progress. Reports to you on status, issues, and costs.

When You Need a GC vs. Self-Managing

You need a GC when:

The rehab involves 3+ trades
You can't be on site daily
You're running multiple projects
The scope includes permitted work
You're new to rehabbing and learning the process

You might self-manage when:

It's a cosmetic rehab (paint, flooring, fixtures only)
You have established relationships with individual tradespeople
You can be on site to coordinate
No permitted work is needed

The GC Cost

GCs typically charge 10-20% overhead on top of the trade costs. On a $50K rehab, that's $5,000-$10,000 for coordination and management.

Is it worth it? Usually yes. A good GC:

Keeps the project on schedule (saving holding costs)
Catches quality issues early (saving rework costs)
Handles the daily coordination you'd otherwise spend hours on
Gets better pricing from subs due to volume

A GC who saves you 2 weeks on the timeline at $800/week in holding costs just earned $1,600 of their fee.

How to Evaluate a GC as an Investor

Ask about their payment model. Do they work on weekly draws? Or do they want a big deposit? The answer tells you a lot.

Ask about investor experience. Have they worked with investors before? Do they understand deal math, holding costs, and why timelines matter?

Ask for line-item bids. A GC who gives you a one-line total bid is hiding something. You want every dollar visible.

Check their insurance. General liability and workers comp. Non-negotiable.

Check references from investors, not homeowners. An investor reference tells you whether the GC understands your priorities.

The Seller's Little Helpers Model

We function as your GC on every project. One point of contact. All trade coordination handled. Weekly draws for payment. Separated labor and materials for cost transparency.

The difference: we built our business specifically for investors. We understand that a 2-week delay isn't a minor inconvenience. It's $1,600+ in holding costs. That understanding drives how we manage every project.

Book a $150 scope visit at sellerslittlehelpers.com - one point of contact, all trades coordinated, weekly accountability. Call (708) 536-6700 or email info@sellerslittlehelpers.com.

What Is a General Contractor and Why Do Real Estate Investors Need One?