I've been in sales for about 20 years and I always resent it when people say that sales people manipulate because I believe a good salesperson gives the buyer enough information to make an informed decision. I think what Trebuchet means when he says they aren't closing, is that they aren't addressing the concerns of the buyer enough for them to make a decision. Tre gives the "dog & pony show" i.e. informs them of the choices and then let's them make a decision based upon the information he gave them. Jakuvall, you say you're not a salesman nor a "closer" but your definition of what you do actually fits my definition of a good salesperson: address the concerns of the consumer and give them enough information to make an educated decision. In a nutshell, you have enough education and belief in your skillset to instill a confidence in the buyer that you're the person for the job. That's why you have a better than average closing ratio: you're authentic. I'm very proud to be a salesperson and a closer.

Switch and receptacle faceplates are extremely easy to remove/install. So by putting them on before painting, you are just verifying that you have all of the correct faceplates and that they don't get lost in between the electrician doing that and the painter painting. For example, if the electrician were to just place the faceplates on the floor by the receptacle, someone may come along and accidentally kick them out of the way and they get lost before the painter comes to paint. Remember, days or weeks may pass between these two jobs. So by 'installing' them, it's just a safe place to store them. Regarding some of the other things, it's more of a matter of the 'not my job' idea. A painter shouldn't be responsible for installing doorknobs. But loosening them, painting, then tightening them could be seen as their responsibility. If they were to install them from scratch, then what if the alignment is off? Is the painter then suppose to adjust the doors? He's a painter, not a carpenter or handy man. It isn't about doing the same job twice. It's maximizing the ease with which the appropriate person is available to do the appropriate job.

won’t go into all the details, but one issue is how theyve ”finished” the half wall caps. this is already the swcond time theyve done them since the first time they did a completely different style than what we agreed on. what did you agree on? we have no way of knowing what you want them to look like. I agree his craftsmanship could use some upgrading. can you shoot a pic from further back? what is this half wall to? does it seperate a dining area? what is the purpose of this half wall? Is this the look you want? done here w/quarter round molding. how about a simple wood piece? after it's secured, then prime and paint. or leave it natural or is this the look youre after? Solid 1.5" thick piece of oak How about both you guys watching Bob do it correctly? or, try this one. they use MDF to cap the top https://www.heytherehome.com/cap-half-wall/ https://www.younghouselove.com/and-all-the-trimmings/

When I've remodeled kitchens, I made sure to be there the whole time, as much as I could. Not because I was worried about theft, or to watch their every move, but because I learned from my first kitchen renovation. What I learned was that when I was not there, and there was a decision needed, the GC would not call and ask me, but instead would do what they felt was right. It was inevitably not what I would have chosen. You'd be surprised how many questions come up on the fly, no matter how meticulously a renovation is planned. I did as @raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio described - I sat nearby in the living room, working from home (it was a novel thing when I first did it in the early 2000s!), and so have been just a few feet away whenever a question comes up. I also pop my head in on occasion, say how ya doin, and give a quick look over. Since I was WFH, I was occupied and just checked in on them occasionally. I make sure not to give the crew the feeling they are being watched for every move. I also felt that when I was not there, the crew did not get as much accomplished that day and left early.