Simply ask around in the California forums and you might get lucky.If not I would simply do some calling and some quotes and let them bid each other out to try and get a good quote.

Hello, everyoneIt's been tough to find a GC for our project: we found 8 teams/companies, and only 5 were GCs, we had 5 bids, we liked the systematic approach of only 3 of them, and none of them still have any time to start the project.

The reason the PM contractor bid is higher is most likely the PM will be managing the rehab as well and that is not done for free.

I would have a tough conversation with your contractor telling him you aren't going to pay for any additions or changes unless he submits a change order in writing (could just be and email or text but preferably a bid sheet) and you approve it. 

His people bidded on a property on a deal & won (there were about 15 experienced bidders there.

I would recommend getting about 3 bids and going from there.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "That was never in the bid." 

So contractors are giving them crazy bids  and they’re trying to pass them on to us.  

Sorry for being MIA, I have been running around doing the inspection, getting bids, and doing the dreaded taxes. 

Probably also safe to assume it wasn’t investors bidding it up and most buyers aren’t investors and the buyers willing to pay the most aren’t investors.