I'm a contractor. First, almost no contractor states a completion date unless it's like 6mos longer than he thinks it will take. He may suggest ideal time frames but this was a ridiculously wet summer and I am behind on most of my projections. Second, lumber costs hit an all time high by almost two-fold in July. I have projects way over budget due to cost. Third, labor has shot through the roof due to labor demand. A mother-in-law suite and garage I quoted at $130k in Feb didn't start until June due to engineering and homeowner making changes. Then homeowner changed design again in June which required new truss design. That said we are up to about $168k due to lag in process, owners changes, and additional work. I am getting ready to have another conversation because he has delayed another step in completion because he is now adding generators which delays job but then he keeps spouting completion without realizing the repercussions of minor change.
Contractors get a bad rap because owners here a date, but if you change ceiling from flat to architect, then that stops production of trusses and resets as a new start which could delay 5 or 9wks like it did with me.
That said, you are on contractor #2, you are having problems with each. Contractors really do want to make you happy and finish the job, they lose money on all delays. I'm guessing you are nitpicking something that is normally acceptable. Are the county inspectors accepting work that you are not?
There is a chance you got two bad eggs in a row, of course there is! There are some bad ones but usually building a house these contractors have history, hopefully not the cheapest?
If none of the above is true except the two bad eggs. Fastest, cheapest scenario is to contact the SC Arbitration and ask for immecimme assistance. They will here your case and the opposing. Once you elect this route if they find in your favor the contractor has limited time to conclude. But if you are the factor then the contractor has a case and he will win. But if you don't agree with Arbitration then you can sue.
I haven't heard anything except delays as an issue, those rest on client and weather much more than clients are willing to accept most the time. Good luck!