A couple of things... "Grout" is probably deck mud. Could be regional, could be poor word choice on the part of your new contractor. "Deck mud" is a lean portland cement mixture, generally 5 parts sand to 1 part portland cement. Mixed with just enough water so it sticks together like beach sand used to build a sand castle. It's not concrete, it's not mortar, it's not grout, it's deck mud, or dry pack. Saving the "pan" for re-use? Nope. Have them provide you with a new membrane. Take a good look at the cross section of the shower that terricks posted. If the membrane is flat on the floor but still water-tight, all you're going to get is a slow drying shower floor. The mud bed under the tile may saturate. The grout may stay wet for extended periods and mildew. You might see wet grout at the bottom courses of wall tile due to water wicking up the walls a bit. But the curb? The curb structure should still be as dry as a bone. There's either a leak in the membrane; in the membrane itself, at the clamping drain, in a corner, or the membrane is not properly detailed despite being flat on the floor. Despite the membrane being flat on the floor, the curb should not be wet and blowing apart due to swelling. So there is no way on earth they can reuse the "pan" or membrane. Also look at Terrick's graphic, where the membrane turns up the shower walls. The membrane should run 8" to 10" up the shower walls. You can see that the membrane goes against the wall studs. The poly or felt runs down the wall and laps over the membrane, The cement board or tile backer board then goes on the wall, but does not get screwed or nailed where the membrane is. Remember, no fasteners through the membrane. The only places where the membrane gets fastened is at the top edge where it runs up the walls to secure it to the wall studs. On the outside face of the curb. And it also gets clamped at the drain. So how in the world are they going to remove the membrane without removing the bottom rows of wall tile and cutting away the bottom section of tile backer board? "He will construct a new curb is damaged"? The curb is most definitely damaged. The wood most likely expanded due to moisture absorption, right? So that wood will not be used either. What Bill needs to do is: 1) demo the curb to the membrane. 2) Demo the shower floor, remove tile and deck mud to expose the membrane. 3) remove the bottom few rows of wall tile up about 10" to 12" above the height of the shower drain. 4) Cut the tile backer board horizontally a couple of inches below the bottom of the remaining course of wall tile. Careful when cutting, as you don't want to cut into the felt or poly (6-mil thick polyethylene plastic sheeting or #15 tar paper). 5) Fold up the poly or felt and tape it to the tile higher up on the wall. 6) Undo the clamping drain and remove the membrane. Toss it, it's no good. 7) Make any repairs to the exposed subfloor. Then rebuild it properly. The guy doesn't want you there? doesn't even want to see you? Right. He's really earned the right to work unsupervised, hasn't he. To let him work unsupervised is not a wise move. I think letting him do the work is not wise. He's not trustworthy. But that's my opinion. But my other opinion is that either you are there or your new contractor is there. He's already proven to be untrustworthy and to not do proper work. Remember, the core issue is not just a flat membrane. Water somehow got under the membrane to saturate the curb. I'd want to see the membrane detailing around the curb. The folds at the inside corners, see if there are any nails or screws in the top or inside face of the curb. The thing is that if he didn't detail the folds or if he put fasteners through the membrane the first time, he's going to do it again. He'll just do it with a sloped membrane instead of a flat membrane. I will raise a warning flag about your new contractor. So okay, we know the membrane wasn't sloped. But why did the curb swell and expand? How did water get under the membrane and into the structure of the curb? I'm not sure if your new guy knows how the curb failed, or if he knows how to repair a shower, or how to build one. I'd want eyes on the project when the demo is carried out. I'd want to see the membrane with the tile and mud off of it. I'd want to see if he just nailed cement board to the faces of the curb, nailing right through the membrane. I'd want to see if he nailed through the bottom edge of the backer board on the walls, nailing through the membrane, creating little holes. Hey, maybe your #1 guy did a great job (with the exception of not sloping the membrane) and it was an errant something or other that accidentally poked a hole in the membrane. Or maybe he's ignorant and apathetic when it comes to building a proper shower. My vote is that your #1 contractor is #2.

Just last night,our one neighbor told me that God sent me to him. He has to travel for work (right now is a busy time of year for him.Insurance salesman) His brother always took care of his 3 dogs,but no longer wanted to.It's a 1/2 hr drive for him everyday.I didn't know that he didn't want to do it anymore,but told Larry to tell him that if he wanted,I could watch his dogs when he has to travel.He told him last Saturday and the poor man almost cried! He said he couldn't believe it! He was so worried about what to do with his dogs and here comes Larry with a remedy! LOL! I didn't want any money,I'm only a house away so no gas used or anything.And I'm not working anymore,so lots of free time.I just watched them for 4 days (he got home last night) and he insisted on giving me 50 dollars.He's leaving again on Sunday for a week.He has a beautiful little chi (I kept her here..LOL!) a White Shepard and a yellow Lab mix.All I do is go over and let them out,feed and water them.Then at night go put them in the house.Easy Peasy! He has a big fenced in yard so they stay out all day. I never saw anyone say Thank You so many times! I told him not to worry...I LOVE dogs and enjoy doing it.

Opps--see I lost part of my earlier post. I love the flowers of this shrub, but usually grow it in a pot because the running roots. They aren't really easy to see in the ground, but pull the plant out of a pot and the invasive nature will be much in evidence. These guys like their moisture. On the other hand, they are as tough as nails and probably will come back after considerable abuse. I eventually got rid of my potted plant because of the high maintenance. The dang thing had to be divided and repotted every other year due to its quick growth, and the unwanted roots and soil mix had to be tossed into the trash bin to prevent spread. If left too crowded in the pot, it would wilt in misery until getting the required daily watering. But I still miss the flowers. Your call on what to do with your plant. I'm way too conflicted to advise on this one. ;)

Dovetail drawers are a common standard component in cabinet construction. The cab sub orders them from a supplier. It's no problem. Most mid grade and up cabinet drawers come with dovetail box construction. Another common drawer component is Blumotion slides possibly with soft close. Talking to the sub before he gives a quote about these is a normal practice. A specific type of lazy susan is the same. This is locking down components that affect the construction. Once the sub knows these parts are part of the project he can determine his costs and give the GC a price for the number of cabinets this particular job requires him to supply. The same applies to different door styles and wood varieties, paint finishes or other finishing affects. I'm sure you picked those too. There is no standard price because every kitchen has a different number of cabinets of different types. One kitchen can have $3k in cabs and the next $10k. That's why the cab sub is there before the contract price is presented. You told him what you wanted. He told the GC what his part of the job would cost. The GC figured his total cost and profit and gave you a price. You accepted his offer. That's all you owe. The sub is trying to overcharge the GC. He needs to go back to the sub for a refund. Which is probably something he has a lot of power to do because the sub has worked with him and wants to continue working with him on future jobs. Stand firm. Don't accept his verbiage about not making any money. He's making a healthy amount for his work. Next time you work with him require a complete list of specs as part of his contract offer. Write in any changes in pen before you sign. They supersede printed provisions and are controlling when the contract is signed.