We updated (paint, new flooring, new light fixtures, new hardware, new mirrors) both bathrooms for less than $1,000.

Paint, light bathroom remodels including toilets, vanities, fixtures and floors.

I think Powell is a good guy (certainly not my cup of tea) but he is trying to serve his country honorably in an impossible spot, albeit much of it his own making.  

Like the basic door hinges, knobs, light fixtures, etc? 

We've renovated our student housing to be more efficient (programmable thermostats with a max and min temperature preset); LED lighting (fixed, not LED bulbs in traditional fixtures); low-flow toilets and faucets; HE laundry units and humidistat controlled fans bathrooms.  

Painted 100% of the interior and exterior window trim, replaced the front door, added tile floors in the bathroom and kitchen, painted bathroom vanity and replaced all fixtures, put in new quartz countertops on original cabinets, all new light fixtures, door knobs and handles throughout.

But from the description it sounds like we're  talking mostly interior work and if the framing is mostly there then we're just talking:Rough ins, insulate, sheetrock, and then shell finish out - millwork, cabs and tops, flooring, fixtures, paint.Saying it will take 200-300k to finish out a 300k house seems a bit overly conservative to me.

Mostly cosmetics - New kitchen & bath, flooring, new AC, tile, paint, fixtures What was the outcome?

I understand what you are attempting to say, but you keep throwing in lots of words like laughing at your ignorance and arrogance, you very obviously attack him on his politics, and throw in about 3 cups of extra sarcasm. 

Replace any outside fixtures like the grill, A/C unit etc.