BookNerd, I agree with Wisconsin---it is probably felt, by him, to be criticism. He probably knows, down deep, that he is not living up to his rightful responsibilitues. His ego may also be involved in his building skills--so that is another layer of "insult" to him.
Also professional conractors are very possessive about their tools, to begin with. The right tool is everything--and, good tools are very expensive.
It is often said, that "The cobbler's children have no shoes".
I remember a woman that I knew--whose husband was an active alcoholic. He was an excellent plumber (when he worked). She had to finally hire one of his friends--behind his back--to fix the bathroom plumbing. Boy, was he angry when he found out!! (By the way, they have long been divorced, now).
dandylion