Flippers
Tie scope directly to MAO and projected profit.
Feature — Rehab Budgeting
From back-of-napkin estimate to trade-level scope of work
Underwrite with a $/sqft estimate, then graduate to a trade-by-trade budget once the deal goes under contract. Compare contractor bids side-by-side and track every change order against the original.
Inside the feature
What it is
A rehab budget is the dollar plan for turning a distressed property into the after-repair condition the comps assume. Under-budgeting kills profit; over-budgeting kills offers. FoundREI gives you a structured, defensible budget that you can build in 30 seconds for underwriting and refine into a contractor-ready scope of work for execution.
- Cosmetic, mid, heavy, gut presets
- Trade-level line items with quantities and unit costs
- Side-by-side bid comparison per trade
- Built-in contingency line
- Change-order tracking separate from original scope
- Budget rolls into the lender packet automatically
From input to outcome
How it works
A clear workflow that keeps every decision attached to the same deal.
STEP 01
Pick a scope level
Start with a $/sqft preset based on condition.
STEP 02
Add trades and line items
Quantities, unit costs, and notes per trade.
STEP 03
Collect and compare bids
Multiple contractor bids per trade with side-by-side view.
STEP 04
Lock the budget
Snapshot saved; change orders tracked separately.
STEP 05
Execute against it
Mark items complete in project management and watch variance.
Built for the work
Who it's for
BRRRR investors
Hit the after-repair condition the appraiser needs for refinance.
GCs and project managers
Issue clean bid packets and track contractor performance.
First-time investors
Lean on category presets while you build your own pricing book.
Rehab budget tools compared
| Tool | Trade-level | Bid comparison | Change orders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook / phone notes | No | No | No |
| Spreadsheet template | Yes, manual | Manual | Manual |
| FoundREI | Yes | Built-in | First-class |
Frequently asked questions
How detailed should a rehab budget be?
For underwriting you need a $/sqft estimate by scope level (cosmetic, mid, heavy, gut). For execution you need a trade-level breakdown — demo, framing, roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, paint, kitchen, baths, exterior, landscaping, contingency. FoundREI supports both and lets you graduate from one to the other as the deal moves forward.
Can I compare contractor bids?
Yes. Add multiple bids per trade and FoundREI shows them side-by-side, highlights the lowest and the median, and rolls the chosen bid into the master budget automatically.
Does it handle change orders?
Yes. Change orders are first-class line items with a separate approval state. The original budget stays intact for variance analysis.
Is there a built-in contingency?
Yes. Default 10% contingency that you can override per project. The number is shown on the budget and rolled into MAO calculations.
Can my contractor see the budget?
You can share read-only views with contractors and partners without giving them full org access.
Continue exploring features
Previous and next features
Related features
Founding-member lifetime deal
Run every deal through one operating system.
Stop juggling spreadsheets, PDFs, and group chats.