Help me figure out what to do about contractor

It sounds like you are spending a large amount of money, so an extra $500-$1000 isn’t a a lot in the scheme of things. Tile work is not easy and does take a lot of time to do well, which it sounds like he’s doing. If this is the only thing he’s underestimated and you don’t think he’s trying to nickel and dime you, I’d probably pay the full amount. Or, at the very least, give him the $500. He may turn you down, but if you’re happy with his work and you agree that it’s costing him a lot of time, I think that’s fair.

The part that sticks out to me is that he did not know to charge you more because they would take longer to install. I think this is a tough lesson on him. He now knows that small subway tile will take more time to install and should be at an increased charge. It sounds like you have given him a lot of business. The only thing he's out on the tile job is the extra time, so I think he shouldn't charge more.

Pay him the $500. He has done the work after all. He won't be making this mistake again.

One should always expect a hiccup when having this kind of work done. And it sounds like you have had a lot done. If this is the only issue that is causing a change in the charges, count yourself lucky. Pay a good workman for the work that is done no matter what the estimate was. Good workmen are hard to find and need all the encouragement they can get. Both you are getting a lesson that should have been learned already. Changing a professional relationship to a personal relationship has its drawbacks.

In my opinion what is right under the law isn't really relevant in this situation. This one is personal, and I think with all the work you've had done you would know if he were taking advantage. He is starting out. He underestimated, not on purpose. I would be inclined to give the $500, because he did the extra work, and it looks beautiful. Perhaps he found himself in a bind and figures had he not been working so much for you that he could have picked up extra work.

I don't know. But for all the work you have had done, you are very fortunate that this is the only big problem you have had with him. I normally am ready to kill some of the people I have had working in my house by the time they get through.

Is he saying he's going to charge you the $500 or you just think that's what he wants? Either way, it sucks that he didn't think to charge more. Lesson learned on him. You don't have to pay it. If you want to, that is up to you.

This.

I'm kind of joking, but not really. If he has been a good communicator, regularly shows up to work when he says he will, and does meticulous, quality work (unlike oh so many contractors) it would be worth it to me to pay the extra. I think business relationships should be kept separate from social ones because as you are finding, it complicates things.

An excellent contractor is hard to find. I would probably give him the 500.

This, but i'd absolutely pay.  There are too many crappy contractors out there who do inferior work or will rip you off.  Sounds like you've found one who does great work.  I would absolutely pay him.

I've been in the exact same boat. We got slate tile in our shower and it was so heavy, it would crush the spacers. Our friend told us had never installed slate on a wall (plenty on floors), so he wasn't aware that he could only do 2 rows per day. He only charged $300 more but we gladly paid. Our shower came out awesome.

I've had a couple different situations with this type of thing.

In 2010(when hardly anyone was getting stuff done on their homes) we contracted to have about 1500 square feet of tile installed.  About half of the area was carpet and half was tile.  The carpet was easy to rip out but the tile was tedious and then it had to be perfectly level to install the large replacement tiles.

They gave me an all inclusive price.  However the installers complained that it was much harder/time consuming than they expected and that they should get more money.  It was really uncomfortable and I spoke to the store.  They said that some jobs are easier than others and often you don't know until you start ripping it out.  He said it all works out in the end for the installers with some jobs taking less time than expected but ours took longer. He said the installers should never have discussed this with me. 

Then a few years later, we used the same company to have tile installed in another room that had carpet in it.  They sent the same installers!!  He remembered us.  I was not home but my son was and the first thing this installer said was oh I remember this place, you didn't pay me enough on the last job.  Never used them again. 

A couple years ago we had our bathroom redone.  Tile guy was really nice and good.  But he found some rotted wood, needed a new window also which delayed him.  He did everything except that area.  I felt bad that he had us scheduled for a certain number of days and this messed up his schedule.  He said no problem, let me know when it is fixed and I'll be back.  I was so afraid that he would not and it would be a really small job to find someone else to do it (it had trim work, etc so we couldn't finish it ourselves).  I was in contact with him and said PLEASE come back when it is ready.  

He did.  Had to set up his saws, all the equipment for about a two hour job.  I had only held back a small amount so he could have just not showed.  I paid him, then gave him a restaurant gift card for his extra work. 

 

Pay him.  He's done great work for you and it's not like he's trying to screw you over. You know it took him longer than he estimated and it's not because he was farting around - if that was the case it would be a different story, but it's not.