As a contractor I always prefer a full gut but it does eat away the rehab cost and takes longer but no stress about plumbing, leaks, electric, lead paint and etc in the future.The patch up would cost less, fast timing, but then you are gambling with what's behind the wall and hoping nothing happens in the future.I assume most house that are purchase for BRRRR purpose are in distress/bad condition and old on some occasion.What rehab number would you go for?

On the other side the "devils" are section 8 tenants who don't keep their property clean or in good repair (holes in the wall / broken doors / damaged cabinets / etc.) and seem to be the black sheep of the neighborhood.  

Most likely the contractor have to put in air ducts, by taking out some dry wall.

The real problems are lurking in the walls, under the floors, in the attic and roof etc.

They were 2 separate units except for a 3/4 wall that was open on the top floor unit.  

Some of the 1 ton units will plug right into a wall socket but normally you power them from the outside unit.

Unit B is fine but unit A was the one lived in by the previous owner.About 400SF of space, which included the entrance foyer and the kitchen, requires some "tweaking".The owner has lined the walls from floor to ceiling with dark wood panels with some elaborate trims.To the right, you can see a bar. 

I think I'm just going to extend that step so that it follows the door swing all the way to the wall, so it's like a mini landing area. 

It is ridiculous that they pick on the stain on the ceiling and wall. 

Some conduit outside and both of the 800 sqft units got a new panel, 5 in wall heaters, 2 fans, basic fixtures (not recessed lighting) and outlets to code.