Looking to do a fair bit of rehab work with the home immediately after we close (open up the kitchen, adding 1 more full bath, refinishing floors, repainting walls & cabinets).

Had both the bathrooms retiled and put in new vanities, new kitchen floors, all carpets ripped up and hardwood underneath refinished, painted place myself.

You didn't say what city you're in, but in a 1-bedroom condo you can probably put in recessed lighting, change the light switches and outlets, put in hardwood floors, re-finish or paint the cabinets, install granite countertops, and paint all the walls and ceilings for less than 15 grand. 

I don't care how nice they refinished the basement, it is still underground with no view and not even equal to the above ground.

Portions were farmed out for the roofing, electrical, basement drainage system, and driveway.Rehab included: new roof, basement drain tiles/sump pump, bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, upgraded lighting in kitchen&living room, new smoke detectors connected to power, ran electrical to detached garage, paved driveway, painted throughout, re-finished hardwood floors What was the outcome?

Wood floors can be refinished- pine. 70% of interior painting done.

Additionally we will add carpet to the bedrooms and refinish the kitchen and living rooms hard wood floors.

This is where the learnings pay off for me.My exceptions to do everything once: refinishing hardwood floors (seen enough diy debauchery), granite countertops and tub reglazing (cheap enough to have done and too specific of tools/chemicals for me).

I'm wondering about doing this, maybe a high gloss grey or brown instead of all the additional time work and money of renting lugging in a drum sander and refinishing.   

Unable to remove without stripping the entire cabinet and refinishing.