In my experience, when I was poor-ass broke, I'd actually drive from Oly over to GH County to get stuff done for 1/2 the price Thurston Co people charged.

The problem Ive been having now is finding someone licenced & bonded to do stuff around my place.

All areas, especially Oly, are chock full of very skilled carpenters & tilemen that will happily work for chump change given the current economy, but if you require a bank's sign off, it's got to be all fair & square.

That's where my problem lies.

I could get my entire place remodeled for scratch, but there is that legal issue.

If you are in Elma/McCleary/Monte, you need to find a local so that you dont have to pay milage and outta town fees. Also the costs of living in Oly are like 2x that of GH County. If you go cheap and just get some local schmoe, you could jeprodize your legal situation, especially if he decides to hurt himself on your property or you get into a beef over costs.