If we are billing time, we have a precise time amount for the specific item.

Make your contractor draws based on the building inspector signing off on specific items--eg rough plumbing, framing, etc. 

For this specific item, that Advisor would take point in negotiations, and there is no way it would drag on for 18months that's nutz. 

I even have the J Scott book on estimating repairs but I wasn't sure what needs to be repaired and how much that specific item cost (for example, removing wallpaper and replacing it, or knowing if the siding needs repaired, or knowing how much a foundation error may cost to fix.)

I have found that splitting up tasks with my partners has allowed each of us to focus on those specific items which makes it more effective and efficient.

There are a couple of specific items of concern, newbie questions my husband and I have tossed around, I would love anybody's insight (and yes, I'm piggybacking off of @Johnny Alvarez's thread, ha!)

Feel free to PM me if you has specific items you are talking about and I can tell you what I have seen or paid (if I have). 

Start talking to property managers, and agents to get a feel for the market and what to expect for area-specific items. 

Specifically you can only charge them for damage for the specific item they damaged  - so if they put a hole in the wall you can only charge to fix the hole. 

Most cities use the IRC as the basis for their building codes, and just add on area specific items.