Of course, it is better to communicate something like that in advance. Nevertheless, it is the case that a craftsman who likes to invoke the "craftsman's honor" for himself claims to be a recognized expert and should point me, as a layperson, to the various possibilities. I see the craftsman as having an obligation to provide for the paying layperson/customer. If, as a customer, you perhaps don’t even know that, you can’t ask about it; I probably wouldn’t have thought to mention it explicitly either. I have been to the dentist more frequently lately, and he explained all the options available to me. Every solution had its advantages and disadvantages, as well as risks and costs, and in the end, I, as the customer, decided which of these viable options I wanted. That’s how it has to be. Whether it is the executing craftsman or the one responsible for the finishing selection, I do very much see a duty to advise from that direction. I cannot share the partly uncritical view of my predecessors on this matter, because this "carpenter" actually claims that there is no other way. That is obviously and unquestionably a lie, and he knows it too. He should have rather said that he always does it that way or that it looks nicer that way, but to say that it’s simply not possible is obviously not the truth and therefore, in my opinion, not a fair way to deal with the customer. Maybe I have an old-fashioned expectation of a craftsman, but they now charge very well for their work, and I pay that, but I expect good work and the necessary explanation for it, and I want to be satisfied afterwards. The general remark "you could have asked" is not appropriate, especially with the many details in building a house that a layperson cannot and does not have to consider all of. That is exactly why you hire a so-called expert and not some random hobby handyman.