Our terrible experience with Joe Parulski/JP Custom Carpentry

We hired Jared Watson of Big Monkey Renovation and Repair to build a screened in porch in March. We were told we'd be staining by Christmas. We are now in February and we did not even have the permit. We bought this concern to Jared, who instead recommended his "best friend" of 15 years (Joe Parulski, JP Custom Carpentry) to complete the job. We were told we can trust him and that Joe "knew people" at the Wake County Office and can get the permit quickly. After 10 months of waiting, Joe showed up and were supposed to be "prepping the site" (we did not have the permit at this point) and next thing we know, he ordered all the material and starting putting up the frame. We were told permit is not a concern and the construction will pass the inspections. Since Jared was highly recommended, we did not think twice to question him and thought he put us in good hands with Joe. Prior to the job starting, we were told money can be paid at the end but Joe started...