1/4 drywall over popcorn ceilings and wallpaperMudjacking can be an alternative to replacing concrete in some cases.Resurface old tile, tubs, and countertops if they're in good shapeDefinitely vinyl plank in rentalsNew scratch and dent appliances, if you can find them.Amazon for pretty much all plumbing and electrical fixturesRip down  3/8 plywood for cheap shiplap.Using contractors who are budget conscience can save a ton.

Here's what the quote covers:- Conversion of 2 bedroom, 1 bath main house to 3 bedroom, 2 bath (~1040 sf footprint)- Demolition of existing walls (existing dining room wall, wall between kitchen and living, bathroom closet)- Finished Shell (Reframing opening to living room and kitchen, shifting openings for bathroom/bedroom, new walls at bathroom and dining, level - Replace all aluminum windows with fiberglass windows and screens- Upsizing plumbing, and relocating fixture locations as necessary- Upgrading electrical panels- Assume heat pump and ductless mini-split for heating and cooling- An allowance for kitchen appliances including combination range, hood, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and washer/dryer- An allowance for mid-grade plumbing and lighting fixtures (Delta, Kohler, or equivalent)- Mid-grade plumbing and lighting fixtures (Delta, Kohler, or equivalent)- Ikea cabinets or equivalent with solid surface countertops, includes island- Assume solar system to be installed on the house including battery storageFor the garage ADU, the garage would need to be demoed and rebuilt, but we would benefit from building within the setback since the garage is on the property lines.

I am responsible for designing HVAC/plumbing systems for commercial buildings.

The plumbing scope found new plumbing in the house but outside the house was rusted cast-iron that the scope was unable to continue going through.

Had to fix a plumbing leak and replace subflooring in kitchen.

By the time it reaches the tax sale, the property has often been vacant for many years, with all the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components having been stolen. 

I hired a plumbing contractor and he installed a new furnace and copper piping. 

While it's a topic for another day, I'm concerned over the softening of the market for domestic travel (although personally, it's great the US $ is doing so well).

But if you start changing plumbing or electrical then by all means get a good GC.

I keep comparing to Aussie and other countries world wide.Buyers agents pretty much don't exist and only listing agents do.true, US is almost always the most complicated one, in other country no need to have buyer agent but there're more, no need to pay tax when selling house, no need to put all 2000 pages disclosure when selling house  , no need to have house with so many certification (required in some states ) before renting it out , no need to hire expensive licensed american-born General contractor when repair house, no need to call specialized licensed educated electrician / plumbing with ipod because it's just .... plumbing. no need to pay tax with annual increase .... no need to pay ridicilous amount of insurance every year no need to check their credit score and immigration status when renter is impying LOL the list is on and on