It's important to make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing quotes from contractors. 

As for the plans, nobody will tell you when and to who you will give it to, but it is best if you get multiple bids, if you plan to micro manage it, get bids from subcontractors, if you plan not to, get a GC, only one system, so that you will be comparing apples to apples.

Also, amenities and condition of updating affect rent more than square footage, in my experience (as you stated, a luxury 1 bedroom might rent for more than a 3 bedroom of the same size, but then you're not comparing apples to apples - if you compare a 1 bed and a 3 bed in the same neighborhood with the same amenities and interior condition and square footage, the 3 bed will command a higher rent). 

Make sure you know how to run comps for yourself, apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

Tyler, you are talking about two different things here, apples and oranges.

Naga A.you gotta compare apples to apples.

Eric above did mention some good options for going non-recourse, but even knowing those loan options, it can still be "apples to oranges" even amongst the companies offering those programs. 

Before acting, always get several bids, and compare apples - to - apples!

Sure, yes all great responses and we are not comparing apples to apples.  

Of course our financial situations may be a completely different story and then it’s apples to oranges....