However, most of those GCs will allow you to perform some work that isn't too technical - such as painting.

Main items of work are ripping out all old carpet, intalling wood laminate in place, installing a shower, and interior painting; possibly a kitchen counter or two.

Use Vinylsafe by Sherwin-Williams and communicate that the house was freshly painted with paint specially formulated for Vinyl. 

The cost to completely paint the interior of a house (walls/ceilings/doors/trim) will run you $3k to $5k alone.

The house is cigarette tar-laden, so it needs a good cleaning of walls and . . . well, all the surfaces, probably paint, new carpet, and maybe some new bathroom porcelain.

I asked him about that and he said that whoever comes in to texture and paint will cover most of that up with the texture. 

What I do know is basically look at what needs to be replaced (EX: windows, interior paint, flooring, HVAC, roof, etc.) and then 'guestimate' a rough cost for each item.

Realistically one vacant unit per year could eat up $3000 in paint, carpet and other upgrades.

It needs flooring (some rooms were partially floored and the rest was cement, it needed paint interior and exterior, and had lots of items that went to the curb (including a spinet piano).

Could probably get $2,250 with some cleaning and fresh paint, while continuing to pay all utilities.I am considering, however, installing baseboard electric heat and sub-metering the system so tenants will pay for their usage instead.