I have helped a friend in a situation almost identical to yours. The best way to go about it. Is make a monitized list of every single thing you need with an explanation for each cost. You get the equipment your comfortable with, what you know. If he says anything about being over budget, and there isn't anywhere to cut cost, you simply tell him doing this is one thing, doing it right is another. Your goin to have so much competition, that if your don't grow the best shit, they are not goin to get what they want for it wholesale.
Do it right the first time. Don't change what you know how to to do to cut cost. As an invester, I would be more inclined to spend the extra money to do it the way you know how than to risk u trying a new way to save cost, which could ultimately cost you the whole harvest. Just my opinion.
