As much as I agree with your sentiments, eleven hundred bucks isn't worth small claims court, let alone a lawyer.
The answer is to work it out ... with the tradesman, not with the newsgroup.
Ken
You said that your father agreed to one price increase which shows that he understood that things that needed to be dealt with were hidden and not included in the original agreement.
Ummm, okay. So the work was necessary or you just haven't decided yet?
Then the man owes you an explanation. It also sounded like you were a little put out that he hadn't completed some of the other small jobs he was supposed to take care of. Obviously he should do what he was supposed to do before he bills you for final payment. If he hasn't completed the work, point this out to him. Release the amount of money for the work that is not under dispute as a sign of good faith and have him sign a lien release waiver.
Being available and supervising the work are two very different things. We're hearing only one side of the story. You don't have experience in construction, you're unfamiliar with contracts, and you will just confuse the issue. Step aside. Anything else is just meddling. You won't get any definitive answer except this - you are not the one to be negotiating with the contractor your father hired. He started it, he should finish it.
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