But I need to plaster one wall, put a coat of refinish on the nice hard woods and just do general clean up and paint. 

In some case our painter has had to do 2-3 coats in order to get the color and texture right on a flip house, which in turn will cost extra.

First they coat them with trash, crayons, playdough, spilled stuff, toys. 

Bath and paint at the same time, I would like to cover up the popcorn ceilings throughout and give it a nice fresh coat of paint so first ceiling sheetrock, then ceiling paint, than wall paint, should trim and door frames come before wall paint?

Fun fact: a fresh coat of exterior paint every ~ 5 years can help reduce the odds of total replacement of product in that section.

I'm not looking for anything sugar coated, and welcome all the feedback that you can provide.

The tenants had lots of stuff and the place needed a coat of paint, new flooring and to be empty to show well. 

All ceilings have just gotten a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore flat ceiling paint.

Do you want something that is pretty much turn key (might need a coat of paint) or something that needs major renos? 

They dig it up, coat it with a sealant, and fill it back in.