This story happens every day in every town across america. I dont' necessarily think these contractors are all bad people or have bad intentions but they are simply not capable of running a business. In most cases "contractors" are simply people who know how to do a certain kind of work, ie Electricians, plumbers, masons, roofers, etc... But not experts at hiring people, managing workflow, etc...
It seems that the least specialized they are the worse the performance is. These "1 truck Johnny" contractors who do everything from remodels, to pole barns, to dirt work are simply willing to take on any job to try and stay busy as opposed to experts at doing any of those things. They always need money up front, likely to finish the last job, and will ask for more than what was agreed to when the job was started becasue they "missed" something. It's a SSDD story from contractors. Working commercial construction is different as they are all under GC's contract and you can force them to do what's necessary so they can get paid. Homeowners never do that, they always try to handle everything themselves to save money and it turns out a disaster. The OP's issue are textbook. I blame the homeowner just as much as the contractor in these cases.
I was reading an ad on our local town website yesterday and my first thought was "RUN!" after I read it. Keep in mind I know this person and worked as a PM where he was a foreman. With supervision he was quite capable but on his own he is a disaster. I guess he is desperate for work, her is his ad.
CONTRACTOR ^%$# ^^%%$# IS SCHEDULING JOBS FOR 2017. JOHN IS AN EXPERIENCED CONTRACTOR WHO BUILDS HOUSES. HE ALSO REMODELS HOMES AND BUSINESSES. CALL HIM AT