We bought this place fully aware that we'd be making some major changes. What we didn't anticipate was the incompetence and/or the duplicity of some suppliers and some contracted workers. The first problem was with the laminate floor installers who were to remove 1500 Sq. ft. of carpeting and lay in the new flooring. We moved (with lots of help) all the furniture to un carpeted areas...we only had 700 feet to stack it in...then, the installers were 4 days late beginning the job. They started with 8 men on carpet removing day and began laying the floor the same day. Bear in mind, we were still trying to live in the house with furniture in the kitchen and both baths. On the 2nd day 3 men were pulled off to other jobs. All in all, the job took 8 days and, at times, only 2 workers were there. That was 12 days we lived with having to move furniture to cook, use the toilets, and sleep. When they were finally finished, Phyl and I installed all new base boards and trim and, finally got all the furniture moved back. Then the front and back patios were to be started. The 1200 sq.ft. Of concrete pour went off without a hitch!!! But, the contractor we hired for the job was depending on HD to supply the lumber and hardware for the 120 foot long, 16 foot wide awnings. BIG MISTAKE!!! Even I know that those folks aren't up to the task. When that became obvious to the contractor, I strongly urged him to use a local lumber supplier I had used several times. Still, it took them two weeks to get the order together and deliver it. But, when it did arrive on site, work progressed apace and, it was up in about three weeks. 

Now, it's time to replace all twentyfour of the windows and several triangular pieces of stationary glass. The guy we hired for the job had done work for our sons and they highly recommended him. Several weeks ago, he came out and carefully measured every opening. Then, he went to his supplier with his cut list and window list. It took a few weeks to manufacture it all and they arrived day before yesterday. Yesterday, we learned that our window guy's father was on his death bed so, his partner, also very competent, came out to insure the order was delivered and correct. Well, we're short two windows and every single piece of the triangular stationary pieces we incorrectly cut. Some were off by as much as 1 1/2" . The original measurements were checked and were correct. The supplier's measurements matched. The manufacturer dropped the ball! They've been reordered. Now, the glass guy's partner is trying to find some competent help to install what windows are here as his partner will be occupied with funeral arrangements and family business.

You know, Phyl and I have built or remodeled a few of our abodes and things went a lot smoother when we did it ourselves! But, we were a lot younger, then. This is our last hurrah and it's been a doozy!

Seems the way of the world.  I am hoping it is the disrupted world we are experiencing and will straighten out soon.  Definitely no guarantees on that.  I hope it all gets worked but I really wish it had gone right for you the first time.

2 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

But, we were a lot younger, then

It's hell when you have to depend on others to do the work we used to be able to do ourselves- and do a better job. 

46 minutes ago, lew said:

It's hell when you have to depend on others to do the work we used to be able to do ourselves- and do a better job. 

Deserves repeating. Gene, all I can say is welcome to my world. One difference out here where we're at is that sometimes just finding someone who will say they will tackle it is a problem. Then if you do find that person, it moves on to the episodes you just suffered though.

My daughter and her husband got a quote and purchased replacement windows from HD. 4 guys showed up and measured the windows. When the windows were received, the same 4 guys came in and removed all the windows including 1 huge one up on a second story. When they opened the window boxes, all were the wrong size. So the Marx brothers remeasured and boarded up the openings with plywood. New windows were ordered. In a few weeks the Marx brothers showed up again with new windows that AGAIN did not fit. This time my son-in-law blew up. He called the HD headquarters and they tried to calm him down and made promises. He told that this whole story would be in the TV evening news if he did not return the money and cancel all work. They immediately canceled the whole thing, returned deposits and allowed him to keep the one window that fit. Then he ordered replacement windows thru a local window dealer. They sent an older guy over, he measured and ordered windows. When the windows came it, it took only 2 guys part of a day to install, including the huge window high up on the 2nd floor.

 

What's the old expression Gene, The more things change, the more they stay the same?  I think we can all relate... not that it helps you feel any better...  I am fortunate to have found a decent fellow to help me out when I need.  Usually just him and his son and I will do whatever to help them as a gopher and clean up guy.

We still do all the work ourselves. The reason, we are not as hard on each other but I don't remember a time we had to chew each other out! I do side walks and small things but if its big concrete slabs I put all the forms up with my lazer level and the guys I hire just orders the concrete and smoothes it down.. I decided when we first got married no one could do as good as me so why waste my time and theirs also.

I gots no sympathy for the people that hire on price alone, and want everything at the absolute cheapest. When you do your best to hire the best, most competent, don’t question the price and you still get $h$! on, I don’t know. The sad part is I’m betting the knowledge here, and ability is probably superior to almost anyone that could be hired. Now if the jet could just pick us all up, and we could do our impression of an Amish barn raising. 

6 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

My daughter and her husband got a quote and purchased replacement windows from HD. 4

I learned from my years at the BORG that someone in the install chain is often lacking in work ethic, knowledge and/or experience. 

It's the weakest link theory - so many people involved, someone won't have a clue what they're doing.  I was always getting dinged for not selling installs.

 

Then the insurance and other requirements are so rigid that one company will contract to do a huge region, then sub the work to the lowest bidder, counting on the volume.  Even then, whatever the BORG collects for the labor, the contractor is lucky to get 60%.  And payments lag too.  All that discourages local people to sign on. 

 

Sounds like they handled it right.

Gene, I am so sorry that you and Phyl have had to live through this.  Your description is exactly what I witnessed first hand with government contractors for over 20 years.  The government bids to the lowest bidder and you always get sorry work, half your crew and the job is always shabby and takes much longer than if it had been done in house.  All road contracts have been done since 1956 when this first started.  Apathy toward work responsibility, not knowing what is needed or expected, etc, etc.  Ok, end of my rant.  

 

We have a 3 mile bridge built in 1968 that had to be replaced.  So, the contract was awarded to some company with the lowest bid.  For the first year, we had over 8 piling drivers and they mapped out the way across the water, drove the pilings which we could hear up here on the hill about 5 miles away.  They took 2 years to build the first span.  It opened last April.  Hurricane Sally came in September and instead of taking all their barges into a bayou and secure it properly, they tied about 15 barges to the new bridge.  Now, the bridge is out because whole sections were beat out with barges. More pilings removed and replaced, streamers and concrete poured.  It is scheduled to reopen in late March.  They are still retrieving barges from people's houses and lawns.  Lawsuits abound.  The company is now going to bring back some of those pile drivers to get the second span in place.  Meanwhile, businesses who depend on traffic across that bridge are about to go bankrupt.  More lawsuits.  If you hear the name Skanska, run the other way.  But, I have watched similar situations with contractor since 1985.  

 

Yes, I am at the age that I can't do things I used to do.  This morning, the wife drove into a table, rammed it into one of the couches, ramming the couch into a bookcase causing her to fall from her powerchair.  She fell into the floor holding onto the joy stick, causing the power chair to push her into the wall and the wheels still spinning trying to run over her.  I had to call the local fire department to get her out of the floor and back into her chair.  As far as we know, she is not hurt.  The firemen are dedicated to helping us at any reasonable risk.  I truly appreciate them and they are dedicated people.  

15 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Yes, I am at the age that I can't do things I used to do.  This morning, the wife drove into a table, rammed it into one of the couches, ramming the couch into a bookcase causing her to fall from her powerchair.  She fell into the floor holding onto the joy stick, causing the power chair to push her into the wall and the wheels still spinning trying to run over her.  I had to call the local fire department to get her out of the floor and back into her chair.  As far as we know, she is not hurt.  The firemen are dedicated to helping us at any reasonable risk.  I truly appreciate them and they are dedicated people. 

 

 

Yikes, not a fun day.. 

9 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Gene, I am so sorry that you and Phyl have had to live through this.  Your description is exactly what I witnessed first hand with government contractors for over 20 years.  The government bids to the lowest bidder and you always get sorry work, half your crew and the job is always shabby and takes much longer than if it had been done in house.  All road contracts have been done since 1956 when this first started.  Apathy toward work responsibility, not knowing what is needed or expected, etc, etc.  Ok, end of my rant.  

 

We have a 3 mile bridge built in 1968 that had to be replaced.  So, the contract was awarded to some company with the lowest bid.  For the first year, we had over 8 piling drivers and they mapped out the way across the water, drove the pilings which we could hear up here on the hill about 5 miles away.  They took 2 years to build the first span.  It opened last April.  Hurricane Sally came in September and instead of taking all their barges into a bayou and secure it properly, they tied about 15 barges to the new bridge.  Now, the bridge is out because whole sections were beat out with barges. More pilings removed and replaced, streamers and concrete poured.  It is scheduled to reopen in late March.  They are still retrieving barges from people's houses and lawns.  Lawsuits abound.  The company is now going to bring back some of those pile drivers to get the second span in place.  Meanwhile, businesses who depend on traffic across that bridge are about to go bankrupt.  More lawsuits.  If you hear the name Skanska, run the other way.  But, I have watched similar situations with contractor since 1985.  

 

Yes, I am at the age that I can't do things I used to do.  This morning, the wife drove into a table, rammed it into one of the couches, ramming the couch into a bookcase causing her to fall from her powerchair.  She fell into the floor holding onto the joy stick, causing the power chair to push her into the wall and the wheels still spinning trying to run over her.  I had to call the local fire department to get her out of the floor and back into her chair.  As far as we know, she is not hurt.  The firemen are dedicated to helping us at any reasonable risk.  I truly appreciate them and they are dedicated people.  

Wow! Sure glad she wasn't hurt in that accident. Also glad you have dedicated first responders handy. 

On 1/22/2021 at 9:28 AM, Gene Howe said:

Wow! Sure glad she wasn't hurt in that accident. Also glad you have dedicated first responders handy. 

I'll second that!

Thanks, all.  Just a big bruise on her left shoulder and upper arm.  She doesn't even feel the pain.  Maybe, I should take her blood pressure and temperature to see if she is alive.  LOL

Sorry to hear that Steve, hoping for a quick recovery.