I feel your pain, and I'm sorry you're going through this. I also had one nightmare subcontractor after another come through my place. The kitchen outlets were at differing heights in the backsplash, the cabinets were supposed to be gray but turned out purplish, the grout in the bathrooms dried with inconsistent coloring, the granite was cut without any overhang for counter stools...I can go on forever. I made a lot of noise about all of it, and had most of it redone by withholding $ from the contractor. Stick to your guns and good luck. When they all leave, you need to love it! After all, you paid for it.

I am so sorry you are dealing with this......it sucks when contractors rob the joy and fun from the remodel.

When we remodeled our kitchen 5 years ago, the subcontractor installed the new light switch a full inch higher than the row of outlets on that wall. We pointed it out to the GC and asked that they move it to be in line with the outlets, and he told us the fix would make things worse, blah blah blah. I was fed up with the remodel and just wanted to be done at that point, so we let it go. I will say that it bothered me less as time went on, but it still ticks me off when I look at it (which thankfully doesn't happen very often, and I am not bothered enough to do anything about it at this point, especially now that the backsplash is on). However, I often kick myself and wish we had just demanded they fix it back then.

Hmmmm sounds like your contractor is sexist just like our builder is. I would call, text, and email several times with no response but the minute my husband got involved the project manager would respond within 12 hours. Completely ridiculous but you are not alone! Keep fighting with him even though it's stressful because at the end of the day it's your home and you will be so very thankful you did fought for the finished product.

Go higher on the outlets if he won't go lower! But honestly with there not being any slack in the line as he claims would worry me; there should be a couple inches of slack from what we noticed on our new build

Mounted under the cabinets would look better, I really like that idea!

WHEN? was the electrical outlet discussion? Was it promised in a detailed estimate at the onset, was it discussed as if possible or AT GREATER EXPENSE if not possible with existing wiring?

WHERE is your husband? Has he made clear to the "jerk" that you are part and parcel of the project and are to be respected as such? You could solve the issue by having that discussion, and by COPYING your husband on every email to the "jerk", as I would hate to think your husband is being a jerk : )

How and with whom were all the nitty gritty details of the remodel discussed, were they all in writing , right down to bull nose at tile edges........and payment timelines. All of the above should have involved three people and written document.

Write the email today regarding the paint, and COPY DH.

Sounds like tile problem is solved and he is addressing the issue.

Electrical outlets it makes sense, you cannot splice wires in the wall and extend the wiring to a new location. It looks like there is plenty of backsplash surface to make a focal point.

Painter, have him to touch up/fix what needs to be fixed.

Other than that the kitchen install looks good, crown molding has tight miters and the reason he only responds only to your husband, because he can find common ground with your husband and have a discussion and your husbands write him checks not to mention your husband probably tells him "my wife gets a little excited, but she is ok, you doing nice job".

I think if you calm down and have a sit-down with your contractor over a cup of coffee and discuss everything in a calm manner he will do the right thing. It is obviously the work still in progress, I'm sure he will address all your issues and concerns.

Good luck

Your tile installer sounds like they know what they are doing. An old
fashion 'mud job' or 'floating walls' with mortar and wire mesh or metal
lath is a method that, if done properly is good for a lifetime. The mud itself is not waterproof but there is tar paper behind
the lath. Most mud walls are about 1/2 inch thick at
the thinnest spot. That's one of the beauties of mud, you can make it
thicker to allow for walls that are crooked, out of plumb and out of
square.
I agree with GN Builders about the electrical outlets. There's no way to extend the outlets further down unless you rewire the area. Depending upon the backsplash you decide to use, you can purchase other electrical plate covers that coordinate better with the product to help hide their visual look.
As far as the contractor, tell your husband to inform him that you're the one who signs the checks, that your opinion is just as important as his. If he wants payment then he had better start answering your questions and treat you like a human being. Your husband may have to get mad at him for him to truly understand who's the boss. In the end, you're the one paying the bill and if you're not happy, no ones happy. Don't pay until you're satisfied.

Have to agree with advice cinar interiors provided, your husband will need to set him straight. I ran our project and in the beginning had subs that I hired attempt to converse with my husband who excited and knowledgeable about the over all project politely answered. Day two I sat my husband down gave examples of the issue and explained unless he told them I had the brainpower to handle this he would be doing the whole thing alone and living with the results.

As for the outlets the wires might be to short to move them, but if it is important new wires can be pulled. Everything can be change if it is important and the cost can be justified.

Im always asking clients, who should I direct my concerns to? who is my number one contact and how do you want me to contact you. I often do this in the meet and greet phase prior to accepting a project as I am feeling you out likely more than you me...

You may be suprised as to how often its the Macho man of the mansion!. Im always hoping its the wife as they seem many times to be more docile and understanding and excited about their home and the details... ..... sometimes its both Men, sometimes its 2 women and we the skilled labor must adapt to even other scenarios in 2017...... :):)

Nothing is easy about the hats one wears as we help people on time and on budget and in their comfort of their own home. And then next week were off to another home with yet a whole different schematic and starting over again, and again.... Hang tough and try to get past it, this persons work will be staring you in the face for decades. It can get uncomfortable for both parties at times.

Yes, we found "you'll have to ask lindsey, she's the boss" to be a great stock response when tradesmen tried to go over my head and get Husband involved.

And if he keeps bringing up money and sending invoices, it could just be because you owe him...

Would a pretty tile pencil liner or tile chair rail that coordinates with your tile color work for your shower?

As for the outlets in the backsplash - it depends on what was contracted for. If it was not set out in the initial scope of work, then it probably cannot be done at this point at any reasonable cost. During a remodel, if the sheetrock walls are opened OR if any of the electrical is replaced or moved, then the kitchen must be brought up to current code standards which means GFCI or Arc Fault receptacles must be installed. Much more work and cost. You also then have to meet current spacing requirements for all electrical outlets which could mean additional outlets would be required. If the wall was opened and these outlets and switches were installed new, then it should have been addressed when the walls were open. You cannot leave a junction in the wall so it is not as simple now as just saying extend the wire down.

While some of us love email and work well with it, I have found that the guys in the field do not. Not much different than for those of us that just don't get texting and wish it would go away. Nothing replaces picking up a phone and talking to someone.

Also, he didn't have the painter use a primer over the new hand textured walls! They only used one coat of paint, so it frankly looks like like s**t. This remodel is costing us over 100k and this is the type of contractor we have. We have remained calm in talking with him, not demanding or insulting as some of the comments have insinuated. We don't owe him anything payment wise. He thinks we should pay him in advance for work. I don't think so! He makes all of these promises, fails on those promises and at this point I don't trust him. I rather just fire him at this point and cut our losses. We should've have done more work in looking for a contractor.

hang on there. I agree w/Cinar and Tundra. Electrical wires often have no slack to move. that would require rewiring that particular run. I know this because I've tried doing the same in my own home. However, if this was specified on the plans and electrical was done specifically for this kitchen w/those plans in mind, then fine, it should be fixed. if the lines were already in place and now you want them moved, that's different.

tile. mud is always a benefit. be thankful you have an old school tile setter that uses this method. You will be assured of flat/plumb walls and nice straight tile. my shower wall was the same way. And I had a 3/4" thick cement tile on top of it. I found a 1" basalt chair rail in 12" pieces to border that outside edge. It looks very nice.

money. what was in the contract? normally it's 10% up front and a little more as the job progresses. He has to pay his men and buy materials. If this has been going on for a month or two, how's he supposed to pay his men? all of this should have been spelled out in the contract. you are not expected to pay him up front for work not completed. you pay a certain percentage after milestones of work are done.

as for the painter, do you know for sure no primer was used? if not, then have the painter come back and do it and repaint the wall. any drywall or plaster finish should have a primer. Or did they use a special paint w/primer? I would ask about that one.