bbqueen
Registered on
Jan-24-2005
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Message #174748 posted by bbqueen (Info) May 10, 2008 09:41:27 ET
Once they do the demolition you are a prisoner.
I needed a structure repair on my house this past week. Nothing major but not for the novice either. I live in an older house under "revitalization". As I am preparing to install a new bathroom, I had to complete this repair I had been putting off for too long.
So I found a highly recommended company to come and give me an estimate. The price seemed fair and covered everything I needed done. We agreed on a start date. We also discussed my absolute annoyance with companies that start with gusto but then fade too quickly. It was well understood that I would wait for them to start at any time as long as they were "here" and diligently doing the work.
Day One
They showed up 2 hours late but explained their truck had been loaded with materials that needed to be unloaded in order to pick up the materials needed for my repair.
But of course they had to have their lunch break after working 2 hours.
Returned from lunch, worked another 2 hours and explained they would be back tomorrow to finish as they needed more materials to continue. During this afternoon stint though I realize my microwave and an entire wall of outlets aren't working. Seems they hit a wire while demolition was happening. Thank god no one was hurt and not their fault at all. The wire was in an area totally outside of any code standards.
Total work completed: The entire corner of my house from one corner to another was removed leaving a gaping hole approximately 2 feet high. Yes the demolition stage.......
Day Two: Again 2 hours late. Seems the water pump in the company truck had gone out and they needed to repair it. Usual lunch time taken and back to work for 2 hours. Then saying they would be back tomorrow to finish.
Total work completed: More demolition off the same corner but in the opposite direction. Now I have gaping holes 2 foot high but now along 2 sides of my house. I just know I'm screwed now. Still no microwave and have moved everything such as coffee pot etc to different outlets so that I could use them.
Day Three: Well I had tornado warnings the night before. Had to scramble around and cover the gaping holes with whatever I could find. What a freaking mess. At noon no one had shown up and phone calls were not be responded to. Seems my contact person had lost his cell phone this time. I only know this as I finally got a phone call explaining and apologizing for the delay.
I just want blow up but of course I have a house with gaping holes and can't piss these guys off. I said the day is almost gone and let's start fresh tomorrow.
Day Four: Alrighty demolition is done and now the rebuild is all that's left. Workers show up and start right in. But a couple hours later they knock on the door to tell me they need some plywood and they couldn't get someone to deliver it to them right away. And as usual said they would be back tomorrow.
Day Five (Friday): Now it could be just me but as its now the weekend, wages have to be paid, and they don't want to work on a Saturday ......... but isn't it amazing how much work can be done so quickly?
They showed up earlier than they had all week long. Not one person ate any lunch. They hammered and repaired like busy little beavers all day long. Finished about 6:00 pm. Did a great job. Got paid and all is well.
But the warning here is, once the demolition starts you are screwed. Thanks for letting me drone on and now I have to figure out a way to get that new bathroom without letting anyone do demolition cuz I just know that I will be held prisoner again.
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