This will include new shingles, Kitchen, Bath, additional outlets, recessed lighting, and new flooring. 

Computerized systems will show time, you can audit those.We had a car wash in the family, 6 bay as I recall, not an auto, good business but not a mint overnight.

Gotta get me one of those :)That house, while slightly larger then average, is pretty representative of the North East LA, and the appeal of such a property - clay shingle, smooth stucco, old hardwood, arched doorways and overall 1920's Spanish feel - when remodeled, is what's so appealing to retail buyers in the are so close to Hollywood etc..If the house was last bought in 1996 for $156K, and the current debt is in $730's, clearly the owner has taken equity out of it and walked.

I've seen appliances not hooked up, insulation missing, shingles not attached, sketchy improvising, improper materials, steps skipped, and the list goes on. 

Those "soil conditions" = construction debris of various sorts (bricks, lumber scraps, roof shingles, concrete, foam plates and disposable coffee cups, etc) at very shallow depth.

We use standard paint colors, the same tile, same faucets, same toilets, same door hardware, same shingles, same ceiling fans etc on all of our rentals.

I have only done houses with shingle roofs.

They would do the drywall, the electrical, the plumbing, the roof plywood, the roof shingles, the gutters, the painting, and build the interior frames without hiring help?

We only painted it and did some repairs on the exterior, replaced some shingles, etc.  

Then get out with bills paid and hang your shingle out.Look to government.