Tell me to buck up and fire this guy

I'm sure that someone else will have good advice, but as someone who also hates confrontation, I feel your pain!

You can fire him, and you should. As far as owing him anything else... That's not clear. Is there a written contract? What does it say about unsatisfactory work? If there's not a written contract with a stipulation that gives you an out in this situation, you could find yourself with a lien against your house for unpaid work and that would be a total PITA when you are trying to sell.

I would have a sit-down with him and tell him what a great job he's done on other jobs for you and you've enjoyed working together, but clearly this wasn't the right job for him. Emphasize your deadline and that in order for you to get the whole house - not just the floors - ready for sale, you really have to go with floor specialists at this point. Tell him you feel like you've compensated him fairly for the work done and see what he says. And get whatever the outcome is in writing.

I wouldn't *want* to pay him anymore, but contractors have the ability to jack up the sale of a house, so I wouldn't die on this hill. If he pushed the issue, I'd just pay him and move on.

I agree with busypea's post, especially the bolded part.

I had to fire a painter mid-way thru painting our house. We'd used the guy several different times, and the last time he just sucked. He wasn't showing up when he said he would, when he did get here, he'd set up and go outside for a smoke break, and he then smoked every 15 minutes. And, I'd swear the guy was drinking/drunk. He was paid a "daily" rate, and messed up one bedroom so bad, it took him 2 1/2 days for that room alone. When he was packing up that day, and the entire painting job wasn't done when it was supposed to be, he wanted me to agree to pay him for several days the next week, I told him...no, I was done. He had to pick up extra paint, which I paid him for and I kept.

I had to get another painter in here to finish what he started, and fix what he messed up.

It's not worth it...be done with the guy.

  Tell me you are not in the Kansas City area & this guys name is Mike!  He used black sharpies to fill in gaps on already stained & sealed floors in my house.

    FIRE HIM!!  cut your losses early & save your stress for something else.

Am I the only one who wants to see pictures of said floors? Really? Standard procedure? Crickets?

I agree, BUT, you must pay him. You can attempt to negotiate a reduction in his fee, but if he finished the project, you need to pay him.

If you ended up paying less than what was previously agreed to, please protect yourself and get the new agreement in writing. 

When you are just about to sell the house, he really could cause problems for you. 

Wait. You're selling Pemberley? I so enjoyed your blog when you had it, showing all the renovations you were doing. Are you selling due to leaving the area, or are you just tired of the house?

You gave him an extra couple hundred for that? He could have deducted the expenses from his wages.

I understand. I'm beginning the task of getting rid of many things in preparation to sell my house in the next year or so. Also much more space than I need or have the energy to keep up. I'm not sure where I will be moving to, but I'm ready to leave Southern California.

Have you found your new home yet?

And nice job growing a pair and firing the dude!  It sounds like he was in over his head and might have been relieved.