ok I have a properly wired switched receptacle which also works the overhead light. This light switch also works the top of a receptacle but the bottom of the same receptacle has no power at all. any suggestions?
If the bottom was wired for always hot then it has another feed than the switch, if he just replaces the outlet then he would be back feeding the other wired when the switch is on. NOT a good idea, need to find out just how the current setup is wired!
You need to understand how the wiring was done. Here is a very helpful video which shows how to clip the tabe between the top and bottom outlets and how to wire the power for both.