Live wire- Like you said, the installer admitted he knew the printed specs were incorrect...and he's the owner of the company, right? I think the buck definitely stops with him! Breezy- Live wire is right...this has been great on the job training. Now, you know some of the difficulties, when working with subs (what if this guy had just been some installer, going off company specs?) and the importance of being there, during the install! That's one of the hardest things about being your own GC (and why so many people can't do it). You have to be on the site every day, keeping an eye on everyone and making sure it's done right. That, putting your foot down with people (you've got that one down) and keeping to your schedule. Now, that you're wearing your GC pants so well, make sure you tell any future installers or subs that they'll have to work around your schedule...but try to be available as much as possible, so you don't get too far behind on your timeline. That can be a real problem, when you start having framers, electical, plumbing, HVAC and sheetrockers all working on top of each other....or having to reschedule, if things aren't done on time. That can really mess up your schedule, if they go to another job and can't come back for a month! Of course, this fireplace mess could have been avoided, if the installer had waited an hour, for you to get back from you're dad's very important get together. Family always comes first, but now you know...put your foot down and tell these guys...."I'll see you in an hour, as we scheduled earlier, or you can wait for me outside the house! Be available as much as possible, but sometimes you just have to schedule something for afternoon only...and don't let them bully you into making it your fault, when they show up early. Of course, I don't think that's going to be a problem, anymore :) One other thing, is your former GC (sounds like he's still on the job) is he helping you with permits, etc? If not, it might be worth it to negotiate a fee for some help with things you've never done before, to make sure it's done right...but you can save money, by being the one there, on the job, every day, freeing up his time. Just an idea...

I had a call like that 2 wks ago. They told me they were from Microsoft Tech Dept & that the department had been getting a lot of error signals from my computer. They were very pushy, kept telling me that it was ok to do this. I told them I wasn't born yesterday & they could go bug somebody else. They called back about 20 minutes later, even more insistent. That time I told them they could deal with my son when he got home from work, he's MY computer tech. They called the next day and at that point, I told them I had contacted the local police as well as the Internet Crimes Regulators, they hung up this time...really really fast.

I answered the phone because I had been left a detailed message about a possible DEA investigation that might involve me. Normally, I don't answer if I don't recognize the number, but I was a little concerned about this. The caller was very threatening and abusive from the beginning. I never ordered any medicine online, except through my prescription plan and medicine for my dog for which I had a prescription. He knew my name and address. Even though I was totally innocent, I felt a little scared, and had I been someone a little more naive, I, too, might have been tempted to pay a fine just to get them off my back. He got no information from me, although he pressed for a lot...where do you work, you know you're going to lose your job,etc. Heinous people. I reported into the DEA hotline.

Saltidawg-- No, I dumped that flip phone. Flip phone was not mentioned in the post. Guess my post was not clear to some. . Nothing to do with cell phone. My house phone which is hard wired called me on this same phone. Caller i.d. showed caller as mom(me) and the phone #(my house phone #) Was wondering just how that works and sushipup1 offered a reasonable explanation.