We discovered during inspection that the hall bathroom has an alcove for a shower, but no shower installed and the space is too small for a bathtub.

@Eric Koelling from the city system development charge for a 5/8” meter $4791, install fee city 8475 and 4500 for the plumber to run from meter to house.

I've not done that remotely, but it could be done.I have a handyman that gets used appliances all the time and installs them in my rental houses when needed.It would take some trust or coordination on your part but could save you some substantial money.I'm sure you could find someone on the next door app that was handy and had a truck to go pickup stuff.

I own several rentals in Linden with a mixture of AC installed vs not installed.

Does the roof still have a warranty from whoever installed it? 

See if you can just repaint the cabinets and install new countertop. 

However, the fam member installing them for me is only a licensed HVAC contractor in FL so he's been unable to buy the units at the regular retailers that would regularly sell it to him (like Bryant, Johnstone Supply, etc).  

I’m looking for a checklist of everything to buy and do - from installing a smart lock to stocking kitchen basics.

I spent a lot of time to find the locks and now need manufacture to come out to install the lock5.

Although, I had done some due diligence in the process of receiving, installing and the actual benefit of the systems.