Contractor demands more to complete work

[Rob Thrasher]

I hired a contractor to renovate a commercial space into a daycare.  He quoted 4700.00 for new outlets and switches, and he quote 2900.00 for emergency exit lights with backup battery.

Once he started the electrical, he got all new wire into the walls because it had to be changed to meet code according to his electrician.  After the fact he advised me that it would be an additional 15,544.00 to completely rewire the building.  I balked and he said he could do it for 10,000.00.  which was in addition to the original quote.  Being as the work was mostly complete, and my project was behind I made the error of agreeing despite knowing I could get it cheaper.  Once he finally got the electrical "ready" for final inspection, the only job remaining was the inspection and finishing trimming the new fire exits.  The balance due stood at 3880.00 on a 43,000 renovation.  I asked about the trim of the door because he wanted final payment after the inspector was done before he would let him inspect.  I questioned the doors and he said it would be another 380.00 per door to trim.  I stood my ground and he cancelled the inspection. 

After several days, I decided to cut my losses on the doors, finish them myself and agree to pay him once the inspection passed.  He then waited over a week to get the inspection.  Surprise!  It failed because the electrician did not wire the bathroom exhaust fans or have an exit sign on the main entrance.  After some arguing he said he would have the electrician in by the end of the week to do the final work and get an inspection for first thing Monday morning.  He then messaged me today stating I would be another 933.00 for the exit sign.  I argued that he was supposed to bring the building to code for the agreed price of over 17k.  He refused and threatened to void "the discount" and charge me the additional 933.00 plus his perceived discount of 5544.00 if I wanted to argue with him.  He then said he will not do the exit sign, I would need to hire someone else and sign something stating he had nothing to do with the exit sign. 

I responded that I would do that rather than argue further about this exit sign, and his electrician can just finish the fans as they were clearly part of bringing the building to code with new service, wire, and breakers.  He then responded stating that I will need to pay him the full amount he has requested minus any discounts and that no one is allowed to touch the job without his consent.

I've talked to other electricians who state that they can finish the job and get the final inspection and that he cannot do anything about it.  I've also been advised that he could file a complaint to stop me from opening if I don't pay him what he wants because he has nothing to lose by making me go to court but I have everything to lose because I need to open and will not be able to until an court case is settled.

What does the community think about this?  Any advise?