Oopsie, I plan on talking to him. Because I have seen his temper I'm afraid of what he may do, not sure why? When he let me know that the wood grain was going to show thru in the front of the cabinets, said how that wasn't included in the sanding and spackling, I agreed to give him 200 extra, even though DH and I knew it was included, wanted it done right. When he let me know his estimate for painting skylight, sofit and walls didn't include ceiling, he thought it was going to be another extra. Who would expect a job with (new lighting,under counter lighting, granite counertops, carpentry, crown molding, floor, added pull outs, new appliences)not to have ceiling painted? At this point I just want to pay him for what he has done and get him out of my house. If I have to stay home with him while he paints the inside frame with 2 coats of paint, I will sit in the kitchen and watch. Is there anyway of me telling if he did the agreed on 2 coats of paint on the front part of my cabinets? Since he told me several times it wasn't necessary to give 2 coats of paint, I feel he didn't do it,even though he said he did, obviously I don't trust him any more. When he paints the frames he will have to cover my granite, and will also have to take the doors off (inside hindges), do I tell him this, or assume he will do this the proper way? I'm afraid the quality of this work won't be the same, which is why I ageed to the price he gave me. My mistake was looking at his own house as an example of his work, in my home he cut as many corners as he could, in his own home he cut no corners. He has also told me several times that for the "money I paid him and for my doors I could have had a new kitchen", till I asked him never to say that again. He has made other comments, which have done what they are suppose to do, shut me up and get me out of the kitchen! Thanks in advance for your help.

This is one of those things again where you could get several bids for the job and end up with several different opinions on which way is best. Every painter has their own way. Spraying the boxes on site is very common, though I would consider just brushing them if they are oak. Because oak has such deep grain, it is very easy to achieve a sprayed like finish even with a brush....the grain makes the brush marks pretty hard to see. Of course, you cannot brush lacquer though. The lacqeur smell will linger for 2-3 weeks, depending on how much ventilation you have. Some guys have gadgets they set in windows to blow all the fumes outside. IMO it's not worth it. I don't think you are gaining durability and most lacquers will yellow over time. If somebody is saying lacquer will give them a factory finish but latex will not, then I would guess they haven't sprayed much latex. This makes sense because some guys are just lacquer guys and don't really think that any of the modern day waterbornes/acrylics are as good, so they never learned how to use them.

Primer is always a good idea but is not always mandatory. They are not going to do it for free. If you decide now that you want everything primed then it is going to cost more. Of course if priming is in the bid then that is a different story.

Well, I posted my lights on eBay and will do Craigs List as well. Fine Art Lamps discontinued them in October/November from their Casa di Campagna line so there aren't many stores still carrying them.. Maybe that will help me sell them. Who knows? I had emailed my salesperson but didn't hear back. I'll give it a few days. That's a long shot anyway. Of course, I did not order ANY new lights yet til I am sure!!! : ) I just wish I didn't spend so much on the originals.... Nothing I can do now though- hopefully I can get most of it back!