I hire my own painters, floor guys, electricians, plumbers, etc. 

Labor costs vary from state to state, but if a painter tells you it will take ten days and $xx to paint an interior of a 3/2 home, you now know that is BS. 

Since we are between tenants, I figured I'd take their move out inspection and have an enjoyable weekend patching and fixing up the place myself - besides, I filled all the nail holes and little dings, then painted it with matching paint and made sure it all blended it, I doubt the PM's painter would be nearly that perfectionist.  

An artisan shop selling work by local potters and painters. 

The painter in bay area could afford to buy a one million house from their hardwork as the labour cost is very high.The affordability index in bay area is actually still at low range which is 33% compare to Miami 44%.

Then you have a house to paint,  Most painters will charge up to 30 percent more to deal with your trees/bushes up around the house.Go to the kitchen design area at either Home Depot or Lowes and their will be a lady/manthat will show you the proper colors! 

Offer to let them pay for a painter? 

Paid $27,200 cash from a foreclosure, and I have not regretted it since.Since purchasing that house, I've made an offer on an office space which was accepted but I later backed out, I currently have a house under contract to close in April for $4090 (they're basically selling the land and thinks the house needs to be demolished), and a third property that I got for $10 (plus the back taxes $1150) which is a commercial space that I plan to use as a spray booth (I am a painter), a carpentry shop, a gym and well...

Paid $27,200 cash from a foreclosure, and I have not regretted it since.Since purchasing that house, I've made an offer on an office space which was accepted but I later backed out, I currently have a house under contract to close in April for $4090 (they're basically selling the land and thinks the house needs to be demolished), and a third property that I got for $10 (plus the back taxes $1150) which is a commercial space that I plan to use as a spray booth (I am a painter), a carpentry shop, a gym and well...

Most of them are in pretty decent shape, needing some paint (I'm a painter by trade) and some flooring.