You're local to me.There's a couple ways to go at this ;If you're looking to save some money you can have your plumber install sub-meters after the individual meters.

Or hung a toilet paper dispenser 4.install closet rod.

Not siding with the contractor, but as an investor you will have to learn to understand costs better and when it doesn't seem possible for the contractor to complete the work at the stated quote its best to walk away.

We typically pay somewhere in the range of $3500 for a new, basic furnance, including install, if there are no other modifications to the system required.  

Since the real estate is part of the transaction you can't do the 1031 exchange.You could consider an installment sale, to potentially spread the tax liability over several years.

He also said my GC could complete the install and knock 20k off the total, which I would do, so the total seems to be 355k to get the home in place.

To add value to the property, we undertook extensive renovations including the removal of over 40 yards of trash, installation of a new septic system and wall-hung boiler, and a new well pump.

We get granite for around $40/ft installed from a local shop. 

They're cheap to purchase/install too. 

To add value to the property, we undertook extensive renovations including the removal of over 40 yards of trash, installation of a new septic system and wall-hung boiler, and a new well pump.