Contractors You Need to Fix and Flip a House

Nate Hoelzen

President, Arizona School of Real Estate & Businsess

House flipping in the United States is becoming popular again, but one key to succeeding in this endeavor is having the right contractors on hand so the work goes smoothly. While you may be tempted to go the DIY route, your time is typically better spent on managing the rest of the house-flipping process. Keep the contact information of these contractors ready for your next project.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

A general contractor can save you a lot of hassle during house flipping. They handle all of the subcontractors and keep things scheduled and moving along. Their previous work with these providers means that they save you the trouble of going and finding everyone you need for each part of the renovation.

However, working with a general contractor does have a few drawbacks. Since they’re acting as a manager and coordinator for the rest of the subcontractors, you may end up paying more for the convenience. You can also end up in a situation in which a bad general contractor leads to a lot of scheduling problems, increases in costs, and shoddy work quality.

ELECTRICIAN

Your flipped house needs an electrical system that’s up to code and sufficient for the homeowner’s needs. A skilled electrician can identify problems in the existing wiring, set up additional outlets, add new fixtures, and handle other related tasks. You may need to vet a few electricians to see which one works out best for your flipping timeline.

PLUMBER

Plumbing is another skilled trade that you can’t handle on a DIY basis without any experience. The plumber is the key to preventing water damage inside the walls; fixing any problems with the sinks, showers, bathtubs, faucets, water heaters, and other appliances; and ensuring that the piping is sufficient to handle the household’s needs. A good plumber is worth the initial expense, while a bad one could require you to spend thousands on repairs to get your house flip-ready.

HVAC

You don’t always end up with a house that has a working furnace or a functioning air conditioner. The HVAC contractor comes in to assess whether the current units are sufficient for the house’s size and configuration. This contractor can also troubleshoot potential problems in the HVAC system and determine whether repair or replacement is necessary. No one will be interested in buying your flipped house if they’re not comfortable all year long, so this specialist is essential. Try to find an HVAC company that works with multiple equipment brands so you don’t get locked into a single product line, which may increase your costs.

LANDSCAPERS

Curb appeal will get home buyers through the door. While you want to put a lot of focus on the interior of the house, it’s important to give plenty of attention to the outside, too. Landscapers do more than cut grass and trim bushes. They can transform the front and back of the property with shrubs, trees, flowers, plants, pavers, water features, and other touches. Whether you want to add a party-ready backyard or the perfect place for the family dog to run around in, a reliable landscaping team can make it happen.

OTHER SPECIALISTS

One of the best and worst things about flipping houses is that you don’t always know the challenges awaiting you during the renovation process. You may need other specialists at the ready, such as mold remediation companies, carpenters, and roofers.

Whether you bring on a general contractor or put yourself in that position, house flipping requires a lot of coordination with various tradespeople. When you start building your list of people to contact when you’re starting a time-sensitive project like a flip renovation, be sure to cover all your bases!