I would start by asking The contractor “what did you use for my sill flashing?”

If you don’t want to that post some pics and we can guess.

He advised it was rubberized flashing. Would this type of flashing get stapled into place? Is there a type of non adhesive flashing that gets stapled?

yes, but its impossible to know what it was from your description.

Ask him the brand and which specific one.

There are flashings specifically mad for the sill, the corner details are the most critical .

Did he staple the crap out it , or just the outer edges? Most good flashings do not need staples And are super sticky. Pictures ?

I believe he stapled the crap out of it. Sorry I dont have any pictures. I just remember seeing it on the sill and it looked like a black plastic bag flapping in the wind...was very thin as well...not sure what it was. Was kinda hoping someone had an idea what it could have been...Thanks for the replies.

Did it look like this?

Could be anything, most flashing is self-stick and have a name written on it, if it don't have a name it could be anything. Did you touch it... Does it feel like rubber? If not, it could be plain tar paper.

John, you might want to take a look at[this comment made by JDS[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/window-sill-flashing-just-2-mil-black-plastic-dsvw-vd~3686765) he pretty much answers your question.

Other than that I never seen anyone using plastic instead of window/door flashing made specifically for window/door installation.

Good luck

Note that the window flashing in RES's pic is incorporated with Fortiflash. So if it looks like that it may be quite effective. I've used a similar method with no problems, at least during the warranty period. In the '80s, strips of 6-mil plastic were simply integrated with the brick felt, as in the worthy build below.

However, as JDS post shows, a more effective system would be preferred. It's now pretty much standard in custom homes in our area.

If he used plastic sheathing I’d hate to see what else he did. They should be redone and your contractor returned to the street corner.

Its really pretty much pointless to guess about your window flashing detail but here's a possibility:

When installing window flashing before the water-resistant barrier (i.r., housewrap), a sheet of plastic or housewrap (shown as material #1) is installed and later integrated into the weather resistant barrier (#6).

If this is the case, the question is whether or not the sill pan flashing (material #2) was installed. If it was black, it would have been difficult to see.

Installing the windows before the wrap is preferred by some window manufacturers and approved by all of them. Grace Products makers of Vycor flashings recommends installing the windows first.

Someone probably has some photos of the house being built. I photograph everything on my site visits and require contractors to take them before covering up work. Photos have saved the day for all concerned many times in the past.

any recommendations on how to dress up these windows since all this caulk looks terrible? I have drywall returns throughout the house. after the replacement windows and heavy caulking I'm not really liking the look.

What are we looking at? It doesn't look like a drywall return. Take a higher resolution photo and also from farther away.l

Here's a different window

You could add more drywall and retape or just float it out with Depending on exactly how big The gap is. You could also use something like a vinyl 3/4 round.

You missed the boat on drywall returns. Why not add extension jambs and casing trim?