How to Choose a General Contractor for Fix & Flip

Your general contractor directly determines whether your hard money draws stay on schedule — or whether your flip stalls, bleeds capital, and misses the market window. Here is the four-step vetting process used by experienced operators.

At Clear Asset Solutions we fund Fix & Flip and ground-up construction loans from $500,000 to $10,000,000+. Once your contractor is locked, our team gets your capital in place fast.

Step 1: Where Should You Source Fix & Flip Contractors?

Avoid defaulting to whoever is nearest. Find GCs who specialize specifically in investor flips — not retail home renovations. Search online, ask your local REIA network, and check active bids on similar nearby projects. Build a shortlist of at least three contractors before conducting interviews.

Step 2: How Do You Vet a Contractor's Capacity and Experience?

An impressive portfolio means nothing if the contractor is already managing five other flips. Ask these questions in your first conversation:

• What is your current project capacity? Can you start within 30 days?

• Do you have a documented track record of passing municipal inspections on the first try?

• Can you provide renderings and photos of completed properties at a similar scope?

Step 3: What Should You Cover in the Interview?

Treat this like a corporate hiring process — you are the CEO of this flip. Cover:

• Past homebuyer references: Ask to speak with investors who sold the homes, not just subcontractors. They give the most honest feedback on finish quality.

• Workplace policies: A chaotic job site creates code violations, injuries, and delays. Confirm they have written policies on drug and alcohol use and crew supervision.

• Local proximity: A contractor who knows local inspectors resolves permit issues faster and can get back to a site same-day when problems arise.

Step 4: How Should the Loan and Contractor Finances Align?

The financial structure between you, your contractor, and your lender is the most critical piece:

• Line-item bid: Require a transparent, itemized quote for every scope of work. Vague estimates become costly change orders.

• Draw schedule alignment: Your contractor's milestone schedule must sync with your lender's draw verification process. Misalignment stalls crews and kills timelines.

• Co-signer capability (if required): Some ground-up construction loans require a builder with a strong balance sheet to co-sign the construction draw portion. Ask upfront whether your GC can satisfy that requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many contractors should I interview for a fix and flip?

Interview a minimum of three. You need competitive bids and backup options in case your first choice falls through mid-project.

Should a contractor co-sign my hard money loan?

For large ground-up construction deals, some lenders require the builder to co-sign or guarantee the construction draw portion. Clarify this requirement before you select your GC.

What is a construction draw schedule?

A draw schedule outlines when your lender releases capital — typically tied to completed milestones like foundation, framing, rough-in, and certificate of occupancy. Your contractor must build their timeline around it.

How do municipal inspection timelines affect fix and flip loans?

In markets like Broward County, Florida, permit approvals alone can take 45–60 days. Build that buffer into your bridge loan hold period or you will pay unnecessary extension fees.

Does Clear Asset Solutions help find contractors?

We can leverage our network to connect you with local GCs, but we cannot guarantee individual contractor performance. Once your team is in place, we fund the deal fast.