Why would you do a major remodel that requires structural changes to your home after doing the kitchen and bath? Also your paying this guy, if he is doing a poor job, document take pictures and fire him writing. If your making progress payments hope you have not paid him to far in advance because even though the work may be shoddy he did and you won't get that back. But if I were you I would not give him another dime nor let him on your property if the work is that poor. Just be certain that you cover your bases and that his suppliers cannot lien your house if he doesn't pay for the material!

Babywhite, Could you post another photo, showing the surrounding area more? I have the same situation re: countertop extending a bit farther than the end of the upper cabinet at two points in my kitchen. One of them involves one large double-door upper cabinet at the end, with a window above my sink to the left and a wall with french doors that continues to extend into our family room/sitting room to the right. The other is a small (18") cabinet; on the right are my built-in wall ovens. To the left, there is a doorway, with no door or trim that leads to a short hallway toward front foyer. This is nearly identical to what you have posted, but I think that the absence of trim around the doorway might make it a bit easier to decide, since it minimizes the number of changes in finshes. in one area. Anyway, I think it would help to see an overall picture of the area, in addition to the close-ups, to understand the context better. I'm not very good figuring out what I'm seeing in tight shots like this. What is the dark surface to the right of your cabinet?

I don't know about the smell of olives but no.1 looks an awful lot like a Rhododendron. No 2 is possibly a Dogwood but That's just a tentative idea based on the leaf shape and veining. I'm not at all familiar with them.

Red flags everywhere. TANSTAAFL. You don’t get million dollar work for $1.98 pay. Any Pro will run for the hills reading that. Which is what sounds like has happened. Take a hard look at your expectations and approach. Or you’re going to be paying 2M for million dollar work just because of the pita tax that appears to need to be charged here.