Time for a rude awakening . . .
Short version: You're screwed. While a lawyer might be able to come up with some clever arguments, pursuing the matter in court will cost you far more than just doing things over -- and you're unlikely to collect anyway. Hard reality, but there it is.
Let this be a warning: Ultimately, YOU are responsible. You decide who to hire and for what work. Folks move to the countryside and embrace the lack of "big government" until something goes wrong.
I feel your pain. I live in an area of little or no code enforcement and virtually no trade regulation. Finding a hack contractor is hard, and finding a "proper" one is nearly impossible. To add to my woes, there is a local pride in ignorance, a contempt for learning, and way too much hubris behind statements like "figure it out" and "it works, doesn't it?"
I can't help you "yesterday," but I can help you "tomorrow."
You need to KNOW what you want, and make those details clear to anyone you hire. Get it in writing. Likewise, get a DETAILED quote from them of what they will do - along with contact and licensing information from them. If they hesitate, avoid them.
Be realistic. A few years ago I did a service change (with a satellite panel) and my materials cost be $2000. There were some additional tooling expenses (an investment / capital expense for me). For an ordinary customer, this job would have cost an additional $1000-$1500 in labor. Frankly, your job probably should have involved similar costs. Or, did you just give Bubba $500 and call it good? Things cost what they cost, so don't be fooled into believing there's a short-cut out there.
One warning sign: They call a service change a "panel swap."
Warning sign #2: They tell you no permit is needed.
Warning sign #3: What they describe is different from what you describe.
My house was built when Eisenhower was president. I live an hour's drive from any real shopping. Believe me, I went through years of frustration before I was able to find contractors to replace my HVAC replace my fence, or instal custom doors -- and even then, I had to do much of the work myself.
Welcome to the country life!
