We had a sink leak and possible shutoff leak in the kitchen, so I thought in the time it takes the plumber to fix that, he can also install a new sink, which is only about $300. We've hated our sink for a long time.
He did find and fix the shutoff leak, but the sink we bought wouldn't fit in the countertop hole. Even though it's nominally the same size sink (25"x22"), the new sink has side clips when make it too big for the hole.
He was not willing to cut a formica countertop, and when he called his boss about a carpenter, those guys wouldn't do it, either. Essentially, if you want a professional to install a new sink, you have to get a new countertop, which we're not willing to do.
So, we asked him to put the old sink back, which he did. After all that, the faucet still drips. His advice was to replace the faucet entirely instead of parts like I was looking at doing earlier. After charging us for two hours of labor (at $174/hour), I asked if the faucet we bought for the new sink would work. He said definitely, then headed out.
I then realized he'd only been here for an hour and ten minutes, and we could have had him install the new faucet for 50 minutes. Instead, it's now on me to do it, if I really want the drip fixed.
I always seem to lose in every situation involving contractors. I should take it in stride, but I'm so tired of this stuff now.
(On top of all that, Lowes says in their purchase emails "returns are easy just click here and follow the instructions!" There are no instructions, just a "buy it again" button.)
I think that when it comes to getting professional home repair, from now on, I have to stick to asking for the minimal fix with the lowest risk and not venture into "improvement" territory.