But to your questions make sure you put together a scope of work and make sure all contractors are comparing apples to apples.  

Are you sure you're comparing apples to apples?

This is the only way to compair apples to apples as it relates to investment returns.

Comparing the two insurance types in this thread's title is like comparing an apple and a watermelon - yes, they both are fruits, but if your recipe for apple pie calls for apples, you don't substitute watermelon. 

Hollow cores seem to be magnets of destruction for us.

Hollow cores seem to be magnets of destruction in our C level apartments.  

That's where having a sales background comes in, to help them understand you're going just polish the apple.

Be careful not to compare Apples to Oranges.

Now I tell them it has to be apples to apples not apples to prunes.2) We need a true General Contractor's estimate of repairs not Bob down the street who works full time and does construction part time on the weekends.3) We tell them to take a video at the property while the contractor is there explaining what ideas or complications need to be resolved.Now once we get that we can make an informed decision within a few hours.

Just make sure you are comparing apples to apples and not looking at only prices.