Looking to buy a house that needs some renovation work done. Need advice

For some context this house has had all structural work redone to it and it’s been torn down to the studs and had the drywall put up and all schematics/blueprints for the rooms and appliances etc approved by the city. It’s now just waiting for someone to come in and finish it how they see fit. I’m wondering will a regular VA loan cover this? I know there’s the VA rehab loan but I don’t want to lump the cost of renovations into my loan as I have a person I’ve been working with for a while that can do all the work and id prefer to pay him cash as the work gets done. I know it wouldn’t meet livability requirements because there is no HVAC work done yet and no kitchen or flooring but all electrical, plumbing and structural work + drywall has been done.

If VA loans wouldn’t be an option I’m wondering if there’s any other types of loans I could get where I wouldn’t need to put the cost of renovations into the loan or have a licensed contractor at ready. I have excellent credit and good income if that matters.

I’ve been recommended trying to get an “as is” (portfolio) loan from a local lender, trying to work with the seller to get some work done to make it considered “habitable” before closing, or getting a hard money or bridge loan and having the work done to make it “habitable” as fast as possible then refi into a more traditional loan.