@Sam Leon When we acquire a MFH, it is typically as you describe - a hodgepodge of multiple generations of wiring from different providers strung along all nature of exterior and interior surfaces with random holes drilled in through the envelope.After we rewire one of our buildings, the resultant job quality greatly exceeds what any of the telecommunications providers subcontractors produce (most providers do not wire beyond the termination point these days).  

And surfaces that are likely to be touched usually get semigloss or gloss.Gook luck to you!

I haven't used it in a rental, but one floor I really like is the floating stuff from Fusion. 2/3 of my basement has their 12x24 "slate" tiles - they look nice, and whatever that surface is made out of is diamond hard.

Thought this was a good place to show this bathroom drainage surprise.

AS for paying for a guru course to learn new construction I agree with Don it can only scratch the surface..