I'd say exterior landscaping, kitchen, bathroom, windows, doors/garage doors, etc.

The kitchen and bath are different, and my side has a fenced-in privacy yard and off-street parking.

other than a/c zoning and making sure you have plenty of insulation, not much you can do. shading windows is a good idea as well. 

It was a fairly simple renovation since the kitchen was in great shape and the flooring had been updated.

When it comes to getting quotes from contractors, I know I need to give them a list of things that I want done, but do I include specific products (type and color of LVP flooring, paint colors, brand of kitchen cabinets, etc.)?

We put in new kitchen, new flooring , new bath sinks, re-did showers and tubs.

Replaced picture window with 15 foot slider, built a deck, added a laundry room, installed new hardwood floors, replaced the walls, ceiling, moved windows and doors.

.- Tree removal, asphalt installation, roof replacement, windows replacement, deleading, pest control, interior design.

Took 4 months to complete extensive rehab (bath & kitchen updates, added office, refinished hardwood floors, paint, landscaping, etc.).

Too many cooks in the kitchen hardly ever works out in the long run.