There are two primary methods of reducing costs of construction. The first is cost negotiation and the second is cost shifting. These two methods have several tools in each to achieve overall price reduction.

As far as the apartment goes, you should look at the room layouts, will your furniture fit in the space. Does the hot water last? How's the water pressure. Are there enough elevators to service the buildings tenants, if there's a doorman talk to him he'll probably know best.