“But then I was there.”
I think that’s the key - you were monitoring the work, picking things out, etc. I think some of the contractors hire the cheapest sub-contractors they can find (often with illegal labor) just to get the job done. It may look OK on the outside but there may be a myriad of issues down the road.
I converted my barn to a home and have renovated two small houses. I always act as my own contractor and do some of the work myself. When you know how things are suppose to be done and are on property regularly it’s surprising how quickly and cheaply work gets done.
Click on my name to see some of home. I build the foundation for gazebo. The Amish man who built it. Looked at my at that time none bricked barn and said “lady is you did that you can do anything”
There are something’s over my skill level. I don’t do windows!