Janie, when I started looking at houses to buy I knew it was likely I was going to have to have work done, so when I found the first one that look like a real possibility I had a contractor friend come over (he had worked for a friend - and in order to be sure I was serious he charged me a nominal fee for his help) and take a look. He showed me some tricks of the real estate investor trade that served me in good stead as I continued my search. And he did the contractor job when I bought the one I'm in.

I'd vote you cultivate friendship with a good general contractor. Wine and music might not hurt, but if he's married, you want to be careful not to alienate his spouse. Invite her over also. :)

SRS