The gas fireplace is dated and could be redone.My question is should I invest $5,000-$10,000 into really making this place look sharp?  

Moving a kitchen can get pricey with plumbing (supply and drain), electrical (2 new circuits plus range/oven), gas, new floors, cabinets, etc.With some cheap labor it may be doable, but you're still probably talking a few thousand $$.

You know that was his gas money :)Based on what the facts actually are, he may be able to sue you though.

We would likely quote $2000 to take care of this process for a client (in part because the job takes a month, is often frustrating, and can consume days of staff time if procedures are not followed explicitly).Note that we were able to complete the process in 21 calendar days, the current wait time for a single service disconnect (gas) is estimated at 35 calendar days.

While there are a few preliminary inspections for underground work, sewers, etc, the pre board inspection is the 'big one' in terms of the amount of work to be reviewed all at once.Here is a list of what is inspected at the pre board phase: Electrical - all wiring in the house is exposed and can be examined easily by the inspectorPlumbing - drainage, venting, water lines and other elements are looked atGas - a pressure test is shown to the inspector to show the connections are not leakingFireplace - the install and mainly the venting of the fireplace is inspectedMechanical - the furnace, ductwork and return air installation is reviewedBuilding - the structure, engineered work, soil bearing report and sulphate test, radon gas penetrations, fire barrier and many other minor items can be reviewed hereThis multitude of inspections can be helpful to identify any of the countless mistakes or omissions the builder can encounter during the construction process.

We can't turn the furnace on because we are waiting for the gas meter and we can't turn the furnace on until we seal the building anyway.

The alley was susceptible to rutting because the gas company has to dig a couple huge holes in the middle of it to expose the gas lines.

(drywall contractor)first wall paint, closet and bathrooms can be painted twice (wall paint crew)tile all areas (tile contractor)do all finished electrical work, but reserve all the cover plates (note we try and paint the bathrooms with two coats so we can put wall lights on) (electricians)install plumbing fixtures (plumber)install flooring (hardwood and carpet)final railings glass workpaint walls final coat (wall paint crew)lockout, doors, handles, hardware (finishers)appliances install including gas and water to fridge and stove (plumber)So this is a general list of order of operations for the finishing work, looking at this list it is reasonable to say I am still at the very beginning of the finishing.

New roof & siding on the house and garage, new garage door, new garage door opener, all new HVAC, complete house re-wire, all new plumbing, new hw heater, brought gas to the property, all new deck, new hardwood flooring on the first floor, all new interior/exterior doors/slider, overgrown back yard excavation, curb cut expansion, maple tree removal from in front of garage, new driveway, termite treatment, basement waterproofing system, basement wall reinforcement, and new footings since we open up the floor plan and vaulted a ceiling.

That's an agreement they sighn and that allows you to check to be sure gas and lites are turned on.