@Molly Thompson I have put together a team Which includes my wife for design and outfitting and my brother-in-law who is a licensed GC to do and manage renovations.

Have folks on staff and outside contacts who handle interior design, furnishing and outfitting. 

These types of outfits will seem great until you find that amazing, juicy deal... then they won't close because the deal needs to be squeaky clean.

Looking local or looking to hire larger nationwide outfit? 

The outfit we use are nice guys that we know that have always done a good job for us (mostly small patch jobs), but they are pricey. 

I partly asked this question because as chance would have it the last few outfits that I reached out to haven't been very responsive.Having crawled around a bit up there since I posted my original question, I have to admit that that quote now seems a bit less outrageous.

Not small outfits, but larger nationwide ones.On the downside--when TSHTF in the economy, they are eating Ramen for three meals a day.

Investors don't need the fancy outfits, with a fancy website, that caters to primary-home-owners.

They can have a significant start up cost to furnish, outfit, etc.

Beds, furniture, kitchen outfitting, etc.