I don't think you need to worry about explaining anything. I'd just tell them they get their final payment when the ceiling's finished, whenever that is. Years ago I had my floors refinished, and part of the job was to put a threshhold between the hall and living room floors (two different woods). Because the house is old and wonky, it wasn't a simple task and they couldn't complete the job that day. It was scheduled for another date and still they couldn't fix it when they came out. I called several times to reschedule, and several months later someone came out and the same thing happened and the dope couldn't create the threshhold! I let it go, figuring they'd call and have it fixed when they wanted their money. Sure enough, they called at the end of the year saying they were trying to close their books. I said fine, but they'd have to complete the job before I made the final payment. I reviewed how many times they had been out and didn't do it. They never called back. I paid a carpenter to do it and pocketed the final $200 I owed the floor people. This was an unusual experience for me. Most of my contractors get their work done in a timely manner and get paid promptly. But it's always good to be careful, especially when using someone new. Tina

Prime to seal the mud. If you paint over it, it will soak away the first two coats of paint, causing an obvious flash. Michael

I to have tried my hand at tapeing and texturing a few times over the years,what a mess!. Here's how I handled the last few projects,including a couple of room additions, a house that had fire damage and a few patches like yours. Around here builders don't keep sheet rockers on payroll so 1 and two man subs picking up day labor help, operating out of 1 truck pulling a trailer is common. I drive through new additions looking for a drywaller at one of the new houses and ask him to come by to bid my job. I have hired them for various stages from hanging to tape and texture and always been well pleased. If you are bent on diy all the way,buy a case of Bud Lite and give ne a call to come show you how. After it's screwed up beound hope we can go look for a pro to straighten it out.

@wiscokid I had that thought as well... Of course there was added confusion because he usually does Sherwin Williams but I wanted a specific Benjamin Moore white and asked him to get it at BM rather than matching it in SW. @jellytoast This is the one guy I let my husband handle on his own, and apparently there was a lot of verbal agreement because the paperwork is completely insufficient. He has also been doing a lot of dry wall and texture repair for us as well, which complicates scope of work even more when the two of them start riffing on things in person. I know I know... Believe me, it has been a point of contention several times and will never happen again, but it is unfortunate that it is too late with the painter. I do have very specific quotes and agreements with every other contractor, and almost all of them have had me go pick out and pay for the materials myself so I get exactly what I want. Certainly wish I had done the same thing on paint. @sofaspud The trim is already an issue because I originally went a long with my husband when he said he wanted semi-gloss trim. Then I started doing more of my own paint research and realized I wanted satin instead. Well, apparently the one and only thing this painter did on time was buy the paint, and he'd already purchased semi-gloss. I think it will be about $200-250 if I want to change at this point, and I'm very tempted to do that. He did say he could add a certain type of lacquer to dull the sheen a bit, so he did one room that way for us today and then I'll decide if that's OK or not tonight. As I'm typing that out, I realize it will make touchups difficult and honestly sounds like a bad idea compared to spending another $250...