| Author | Message | ||
     greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3916 Registered: 5-2001  |
OK - this is the part where I tell you what I would have done differently. First thing: In my Blog, I would have not named any names during the process. I think it affected my objectivity. With the exception of one person (whose work was so egregiously bad), I didn't want to reflect negatively on anyone, so I downplayed problem areas that have now turned out to be significant. In my defense, I didn't know it at the time. A better process would have been to relate all the details, good and bad equally. Then, if people were interested in a particular person, they could have PLed me for more information. This may be an ongoing ramble, so tune in later to hear me talking to myself...... | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 3904 Registered: 12-2001  |
I know what you are going through. Good luck with the fixes. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3930 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, it never ends. This summer was supposed to be the landscaping and the upstairs floors were to be done already. That money went into fixes. Fate is a funny thing. I'm usually not a believer in such things. OTOH, it's weird the way it all worked out. The landscaper I wanted to use was booked thru June. The second guy I called never gave a proposal. The 3rd guy was waiting for his buddy, the mason who would do the patio and drainage work, and the mason never got back to me, either. The shower pan failed 3 weeks before we were scheduled to start the floor, so we were able to postpone. Can you imagine if we'd signed contracts and made deposits? We'd be in huge trouble. Anyway, someone asked on other thread about things I've learned. There have been so many. To tell you the truth, I'm a little embarrassed to share because some of these mistakes are so basic Renovation 101 and I'm usually a smart person. I tell you one thing - I've scoffed at others before on this board who insist you need a contract. My theory has always been that a contract only makes a difference if you end up in a legal dispute and that if things go that wrong, you have bigger problems. I now know that weird things can go wrong that were not really anticipated and that situations arise, not out of malice, but out of circumstances. So, number 1: get a detailed contract. Because then you won't hear things like "that wasn't in the original estimate". And in the unlikely event that you need legal recourse, you'll have it. Number 2 - no matter how many times someone has worked for you before, if this is a project that is much larger than the prior stuff, check references. Several of them. Ask to see the work. Number 3 - get a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate. I was told by a friend who is on the other side of the business that I could have filed a claim directly with the contractor's company. Oh, there's more to come. I know a certain architect is waiting for me to say that I would not be my own GC again, but I don't think that's true. I'd sure as hell do a lot more homework around it & talk to others who've done it first. But, hell. Now I'm an expert.  BTW - I still think that most contractors are honest and want to do the best job possible (including the one who did my kitchen). Things happen, people have times in their life when they don't do such a good job or they bite off more than they can chew. The plus side is that I've met some really great pros while interviewing and getting estimates. Of course, the ones I wanted were booked for months, but had impeccable references. I actually did hire someone that is turning out to be amazing. I know I burned that bridge and I am not giving his name out. But, I will say that the proposal was a bound document, with every step of work detailed out, with a diagram of a shower pan, his references, his contractor's license and a copy of his insurance card. I have received the same bound, printed packet with an itemized list of all expenses, showing totals, with copies of all receipts attached. He finished today. And, even tho I had to remind him about a couple things, we are very pleased. He only went 3 days longer than the original estimated time. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 6675 Registered: 5-2001 |
I have no reason to add to this thread other than to be amazed that this all started 3 days before my mom was diagnosed. Funny how priorities change with the snap of your fingers......... The contractor who is the subject of this Blog started so many lifetimes ago is one lucky SOB. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5671 Registered: 12-2001 |
Greenie..that sentence doesn't make any sense, or I haven't had enough coffee.  "The truth is always a compound of two half- truths, and you never reach it, because there is always something more to say."-- Tom Stoppard | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 6686 Registered: 5-2001 |
I see your point. Poorly written sentence. I'll give it another go (assumming that you meant the last sentence): That incompetent fake contractor, whose mistakes led me to start this Blog to begin with, is a lucky man, since my mother's illness became the focus of all my attention, which otherwise would have gone into hunting him down and dragging his unskilled, sorry ••• to court. OK - that is a bit run-on. Either way, has my point come across or should I try again? | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 5674 Registered: 12-2001 |
No. Now I completely understand and am in agreement | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 2306 Registered: 10-2001  |
greenetree - We decided to go with the contractor that you and I discussed. He is going to start next week. Yes it has been a long time since we sat on your deck and discussed your renovation but this contractor is very busy and refuses to work on more than one or two jobs at a time. Btw, we were discussing the design of your house the other night with our Architect. | ||
| callista Citizen Username: Callista Post Number: 46 Registered: 7-2001 |
who is your architect sportsnut? |
