Hello, tthomas19. I am not sure I follow all. It would help to know what type of hydrangea we are talking about and picture might also clarify the state of the shrubs.

Opening the inside the of the shrub to sun and air may, after all, not be so bad. Hydrangeas should be able to handle this even though, from your description, they probably do not look their best right now. They should look better after they leaf out next season. Perhaps some light pruning to even stem lengths and tweak the "rough pruning" is needed but moving them or starting again? Why made you consider those options? Were you asked to fix what the gardener did? Can you post a picture? Maybe some people here could better assess what to do from pictures taken from several angles.

Hydrangea macrophylla - I assume that's what we are talking about...they are the most common in SoCal - can be easily rejuvenated by cutting back hard. Yes, you will lose flowering for a season but if they are not flowering now, that's not much of a loss :-) You will get a smaller more, compact plant and generate some healthy, new basal growth as well. Be sure to remove any deadwood.....if they haven't be maintained correctly, there's bound to be quite a bit.

Whether or not they get moved is your choice. The north side is a good location in most cases but size and planting room may be a factor in relocation. Just pick a spot that will receive shade in the afternoon. Enrich the soil in the new planting location or mulch well with compost or composted manure and water as necessary if not on irrigation. You should see a significant improvement in the plants next spring.