yeah, this can be really awful. Normally as a contractor, part of my value is that I can adapt to fill in the gaps left in the project. Thats almost always the

yeah, this can be really awful. Normally as a contractor, part of my value is that I can adapt to fill in the gaps left in the project. Thats almost always the best thing for both parties. Instead of pointing at a flaw and screaming that it needs to be fixed before I can work, I just fix it. On a fixed bid, depending on the difference between the reality and expectations, that can put me underwater pretty quickly. So I end up calling them and saying:"I assumed you had tests, and the board was working, and that I wouldn't have to drive back and forth to your office 6 times. Now my hourly is $7.50 assuming I could finish right now. So are we going to fix this or am I going to walk away from this giant sunk cost." This conversation never goes well.