Project has begun. I spent the weekend before Christmas cleaning out my store room and wedging everything in my current laundry room and the furnace room. Contractor moved my 4 storage units that contain what is referred to as my "fabric stash". I now have to turn sideways to get through that area and to the cabinet where my Bernina resides. So much fun!
So the plumber was supposed to spend Christmas Eve with the contractor tearing out concrete and roughing in plumbing. Didn't hear from them but figured that they had better things to do on Christmas Eve.
Short version is that the plumber continues to be a no show.
This week is kind of a blur as far as what happened and didn't happen because of taking Jimmy in on Monday. I know contractor emailed me Wed that he had gone back over to the owners of Royal Indian Cuisine Mon & Tues to do some work but that he and plumber would be there on Wed. Plumber doesn't show up again so I call Ray and tell him that he needs to fire that guy and get plumber #2 in on the job. He said that we didn't have much choice. He calls me on Thur and says that plumber called him and that he would definitely be over. You guessed it ... no plumber. I emailed Ray and told him to: #1 fire plumber; #2 hire plumber #2. He agreed to do it (I thought).
I called him this morning and he asked me to trust him about plumber that I thought was fired. He had already paid him retainer and said that he wanted to give him one more choice but that he & plumber would definitely be over no later than 9. A little after 9, I sent Ray a message saying that if I hadn't seen the plumber by noon, I would call plumber #2 myself --- but that I needed to get this project done sooner rather than later. A few minutes later, Ray shows up with one worker bee in tow and tells me plumber and electrician are on the way. 11 AM and electrician has come and gone but still no plumber. Ray & I have another talk about plumber and he heads off to buy lumber for framing and also to the job site plumber #2 is working to talk to about the job (he says).
After lunch, I had to dash to JoAnn's for a project I'm working on for another customer this afternoon. Came home to discover both contractor and original plumber. GRRRR! Instead of roughing in downstairs, he and his assistant were worrying about our low water pressure in the upstairs shower. End of the day left the plumber promising to be here in the morning (Sat) to rough in as well as replace the valve in the shower which is believed to be the cause of the water pressure issues.
I'm not the happiest camper. This project should not have taken more than a week. It's been over 2 weeks and all I have to show for it is a huge mess in the basement and a garage full of new fixtures. Contractor truly does know his stuff and the plumber did fabulous work at Royal Indian Cuisine, as well as showing up there on time.
Virginia
Oh man! Sorry to hear you had such a bad week. Wanna borrow my pace stick? LOL.
Quotethe plumber promising to be here in the morning (Sat) to rough in as well as replace the valve in the shower which is believed to be the cause of the water pressure issues.
Before I call this guy an idiot or worse, jog my memory about the water pressure issue. Dad and I have done our own plumbing my entire life and I spent a year and a half renovating bathtubs professionally. It doesn't make sense to me.
It is a true pleasure to be in a store and to work with an employee that is motivated to help me, and acts professionally and responsibly. I find this to be the rare exception, not the rule.
"What do I care? I just work here." This is usually what I find.
I was in a restaurant and the waitress was very friendly and motivated to serve us. I commented on this and my daughter said "She must be new".
We had a company put in new windows in our house not too long ago. He did a great job. Very professional. I have told many, many people about this company. They work by word of mouth. And they stay busy is a very competitive industry.
So many people get the homeowner to sign on the dotted line and then they put the homeowner on the list. They work the list based on who is screaming the loudest. I wonder if this is your issue, Virginia?
gene
Gene:
I decided that was my problem and started screaming loudly on Thursday. I believe that is why the plumber showed up on Friday. That plus the fact that I told the contractor that I would call plumber #2 if the dueche did not show up by COB Friday. Actually I think it was supposed to be by noon on Friday but he didn't show up until around 2:30.
Update. He should have been here by 10:30. Now 1 PM and Ray assures me that plumber is getting parts and will be here soon. Yup and I have some swamp land for sale too.
Darren:
Water pressure is only an issue in the shower. Washer downstairs is fine. Kitchen is fine. Bathroom sink is fine. We have replaced shower head and that is not an issue. Ray said yesterday that they are confident it is the valve in the shower that needs to be replaced so they are going to cut an access panel or whatever so that they can get to the valve to replace it. It really sucked that they didn't get it fixed yesterday as their trouble shooting made it MUCH worse. I wash hair on Saturdays (for those who don't know, my hair is about an inch or two away from the top of my legs so it is a production to wash it). It took much longer to get the shampoo and conditioner out as the pressure was incredibly bad. Plus it was hard to get the temperature adjusted correctly as well. Needless to say it really blew large chunks to shower today.
Hoping the plumber shows up soon.
Virginia
Plumber showed up a little after 1. Apparently, needed to cut some more concrete so spent time doing that, unloaded some pipes, elbows, etc and decided they still needed some more pipe so were gone about 45 minutes. They just pulled back up but are still in their van. Hopefully it will take them about an hour to get the pipes roughed in as Ray is planning on finishing framing tomorrow and hopes to rock some too. He is very optimistic though as he thought he might be able to start working on the floors. OMG that sounds like 2 or 3 days work to me. Of course though the room isn't huge and he's got half of the framing done so it should come along quickly. I'm very excited to see the rough plumbing done and then I'll be fired up to see the framing and rocking done. That will give me a feel for how it will look.
I told Ray I wanted it finished by next Friday, just as an arbitrary date but as I told Bob, as long as progress is being made I would not be upset if Friday was slipped back a day or two. Disappointed as I cannot wait to take a nice soaking bath and very excited to have my bride come in for a fitting and be able to change in a place that is specifically designed for that. This room is going to be so cool.
Then the old laundry room is going to be revamped and set up as organized storage. I think once we get that done and everything in place, Ray is just dying to get into Sew & Sew and make it more organized/orderly. He looks at some of my chaos that I can completely block out and I know it just drives him batty. Cracks me up every time!
Virginia
Plumber actually got all the rough in work done this afternoon which I consider something of a minor miracle. When he told me he was finished, I asked him "What about replacing the valve in the upstairs shower?" Remember that he spent all of Friday afternoon in my shower. He gave me a total deadpan look and replied "I don't know nothing about that ma'am." Bob quickly interjected that we would take it up with Ray.
We did go buy another shower head this evening and it now has the pressure back to where it was before the spent Friday afternoon making the shower pressure worse (didn't know that was possible until this morning). LOL Hopefully Ray has a handle on getting that valve replaced as showering was absolutely miserable this morning and would have been that way even if I wasn't washing hair.
I refuse to let that upset me though as Ray is planning on spending all afternoon framing and rocking and assured me that he would be finished by Friday. I think that is finished with the main room because he's got work to do in the old laundry room to get it turned into storage area. But I desperately need to be able to clean up Sew & Sew and get a bride in for her next fitting. Otherwise I'd be pretty chilled about it all.
Just glad that plumber got his work done today. We don't need him back now until it's time to do whatever he has to do with the fixtures and that is at the end of the job.
Virginia
QuoteWater pressure is only an issue in the shower.
Okay, that makes sense. I thought he was trying to blame the shower for an issue in the laundry room.
Glad to hear you're making headway.
Pleased to say that it appears we are cooking. Ray and his helper were right on time this morning. Just finished patching the concrete where they had to tear out so the plumbing could be roughed in. Doing a little area clean up while waiting for the concrete to dry. Cannot wait to see what all they accomplish today as I think the walls should be in and that will make it look like a room again.
Virginia
Right on! I told you those bran muffins would work better than doughnuts [wink]Inside joke.
Ugh!
Progress is painfully slow. Ray was ready for the electrician yesterday afternoon and electrician didn't come until this morning. That was only to "look" and left and then came back about 1:30. Electrician and his helper are now going great guns.
Bob & I are both really frustrated with Ray because he just does not communicate. Left yesterday without saying that he was done for the day or when he would be back next. That is a pet peeve of mine and it really torqued me off as I had talked to Ray about it in the morning, concerning George. George is getting ready to remodel his kitchen so we sent Ray over there. He owes George cabinet plans and has left him hanging for about a week. I told Ray that George is a lot like us (hint hint hint) and that we are both understanding as hell if you are running behind or cannot get what you need from someone else but you have to call or email and tell us that. If you don't, we are both going to get a case of the jaws.
So, he left yesterday without communicating and he and the electrician split this morning without telling me what was going on. As far as I knew, they were just blowing me off, except that Ray's compressor and a bunch of tools are in the basement but you get the drift of things.
So I waited until my top wasn't about to explode and then emailed Ray with the ground rules for the rest of the project. Briefly:
1) I need a goal list each day. If you don't meet your goals, tell me why
2) Names and phone numbers of all subs
3) If you leave to pick up supplies, lunch, end of day or whatever - give me the common courtesy of telling me where you are going and when I will see you next
4) Fix my d*mn shower that is now leaking from where the plumber pulled all the pipes out (probably just needs plumbers tape but that is not my job as I didn't break it)
5) COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE
Haven't heard from him about it yet. I was really very nice as I complimented his work, etc but just said that we were worried about the deadline slipping because not much has gotten done so far this week. Like how can we get done by COB Friday when electrician will be here all afternoon. That means no drywall has yet to be hung. I just don't see being done Friday. If lots of work was being done, I would be down with it but 2-1/2 or 3 hours a day is not an honest day's work in my book.
Rant over!
Virginia
I got an email early yesterday from Ray that he "knows remodeling can be frustrating". Only when the contractor is an idiot and doesn't communicate with his client. Grrr. He also said that the electrician would be back in the morning. I'm not sure why the electrician could not have told me before he left that he still needed to come back.
Anyway, morning drug on and no electrician. Bob & I were beyond p*ssed. I talked to George to make sure that he knew this guy is toxic and not to contract with him on his kitchen job. George was floored when I explained to him our frustrations over communication issues plus the lack of overall progress.
Finally around 1:30-1:45, electrician pulls up. He actually had worked for our electrician before breaking out on his own so is familiar with our house and wiring issues. He spent maybe 45 minutes and was out of here by 3. We waited until almost 4 before going to CNHS to look at Missy and no Ray, no big surprise. At any rate, he has a key so could get himself in here had he wanted to do some work. So that was 2-1/2 hours that contractor squandered as far as not showing up after the electrician was done.
We will see what shakes out today. I'm sure he'll show up all full of promises as far as what he'll get done, work for 2 or 3 hours and then disappear for the rest of the day. I just can't believe that he was willing to work in such a manner that he blew George's kitchen job. George told me yesterday that he's prepared to spend 40K on this remodel. That includes all new appliances, cupboards, an island, flooring, etc. Not an insignificant job and would have put some serious change in this guy's bank account. George called another contractor after our conversation. Like I told George, I don't want his wife po'd at me because our contractor is dragging his heels on their job so much.
I told Bob I am sooooo glad that this is our last major renovation. We need to paint a couple of rooms but other than that, just normal maintenance stuff.
So, we shall see what shakes out today.
Virginia
I have a customer (Interior Designer) who lives in San Francisco. She has several clients in my area. Several years ago I was managing a big project for her, upholstery and window treatments on a house that was having a major addition added on. I used a window treatment installer recommended by the window treatment workshop. The window treatment installer almost got kicked off the job site for being an ass. This is how well the contractor was directing the work site. And I was in total agreement with the contractor.
Unforeseen problems can cause any remodeling project to be frustrating. Just how frustrating is totally the responsibility of the contractor, in my humble opinion.
gene
Yeah, I totally agree. I said that in an email to the contractor yesterday. That Bob & I would be much less frustrated if he could bother to tell us when he would be here. If he is delayed by something, let me know. I might not like it but at least I would KNOW and not be sitting here wondering when or if he is going to show for the day.
If I could kick him off the job I would at this point. We paid a lot up front so that he could buy lumber, fixtures, paint, tile, etc., as well as give the plumber and electrician their draws up front.
His compressor and a variety of other tools are in my unfinished room. I told Bob that if he were to come by and want to pick up a tool (should I not be here), the correct response is: "You will pry them out of my cold, dead hand." ; )
I am serious though that he will not move any equipment out until I am satisfied with the progress in the basement. I tried being firm but nice in the email so now it's time to be an @ss.
Virginia
OK, so electrician finished Wed afternoon (around 3:30) and no contractor remainder of the afternoon. No contractor on Thur, Fri, or Saturday either. I also left voice mail and emailed without receiving a response. Finally in total desperation, I left a voice mail with his ex (really hated to do that -- seriously -- but I was started to get worried about the guy as well as being madder than a wet hornet). Still no response.
So, I had a talk with myself and decided that if he was upset with me, he was enjoying watching me squirm and wriggle around trying to get him to communicate with me. I decided that I would completely ignore him this week if he didn't show up, as in no phone calls or emails checking to see where he is and what his schedule is.
I also decided that I had to organize S&S as much as possible as all of my fabric stash was just kind of strewn about S&S. I looked over the new digs and could tell that there wasn't going to be a good spot in either of the new rooms. Don't want to hide it away in the furnace room as it's too easy to forget what you have and a hassle to get in and root around. So I moved things around so that I could give all 4 storage bins proper locations and then actually had some fun refolding, sorting, organizing and putting away all of my gorgeous fabric. Cannot wait for this job to be finished so that I can get some of this stuff out and start using it. Anyway, S&S looks much better now and I felt better about how I spent my time. Was definitely better than feeling my blood pressure rise every time I thought about what all isn't getting done.
So, I was just getting ready to shower this morning when I got an email from contractor "apologizing" because he and his two youngest had the flu for the last 4 or 5 days. Man, I've had horrible flu, etc but I could always take time to send a one line email. Seriously, I had larangitus a year or so ago and Bob took messages, I would write out answers and then he called people back for me. Whatever dude. At any rate, he said he would be over mid-morning to dry wall. It is now 11:45 and no sign of the contractor so Bob & I are surmising that he had a relapse. LOL. I am standing firm in my resolve to not call or email. If he is really still sick it's only going to irritate him, he's probably not going to respond back anyway and I figure a waste of time. What I'll do next week if he hasn't been here, I'm not really sure. Open to suggestions. Darren has given me an interesting approach.
Virginia
I had some quiet time this morning, after I filled out an insurance form and decided it was time to do something. Tried to call him but went to voice mail and then mail box was full so I couldn't leave a message so I sent a very carefully worded email.
Started out by asking how he and his kids were feeling. Then detailed the amount of time that "work" has been done since last Monday (11th) which was 2-3 hours that day, he was here 15 minutes tops with the electrician and I've not seen him since then. Told him that I thought he did fabulous work but that we were both stymied as far as why nothing was happening on the project. I said that the time has come for him to get over here and get the project done ... or else.
So about 11:45, there is a knock on the back door and lo and behold, there stands my contractor and his assistant. Supposedly they have both been sick, as well as all of their families. Blah, blah, blah. Both looked fine to me, but he made a big deal out of dashing upstairs and outside. May really have been sick and still not feeling well but I'm just not sure. Anyway, drywall is being put up as I type this. A huge WHO HOOOOOOOO! Progress, any progress is fabulous!
Virginia
So how far did they get today? Did they manage to get it boarded and taped today---or were they a no show after they "went for lunch"?
Actually, they didn't take lunch break. They finished framing the three sides that will be rocked. Foundation side, Ray and I talked over and I think it will look cool with textured finish painted. Ray agreed that will be a nice touch. Finished framing the changing room and the tub area. Got one wall completely rocked. These aren't easy walls because they aren't just slam up and nail in. We have furnace pipes, etc that have to be cut around so it was kind of a pain in the wazoo for them. Also, Ray and I probably talked for 30-45 minutes. I wanted to make sure that he hadn't forgotten a couple of things, like needed a sconce light in the changing room, the platform for my alterations customers to stand on so that I'm not sitting on the floor any more, where the vinyl rolls are going to be hung, etc.
He left at 4 to watch one of his kid's intramural basketball game and assured me of being here bright and early in the morning. I won't be surprised either way. It was exciting to see the room actually take shape, as much as it has.
Too funny that he actually showed up after my last email though. It was very nice, no disparaging remarks at all. I'm sure though that he could tell I was tired of the bs and that it stops and stops now. I had talked to George earlier as the hs his kids go to has boy's basketball game in town Saturday night. Two of his kids are stars on the team and if he hadn't shown up to work or contacted me in a satisfactory way, George and I were going to go have a "come to Jesus" moment with him. Dang, I'm almost disappointed that didn't happen.
Seriously, I am really excited about it now. It's one thing to diagram the room out but when you see the shape start to take shape, it just takes my excitement to a whole new level.
Virginia
Shocking today ; )
Ray and his helper pulled up a little after 8:30 and didn't break for lunch until a little after 12. Ray did make a point of yelling in from the foyer that they were leaving and would be back after lunch. Took a reasonable lunch break and worked until just before 4.
That worked perfectly for me as I had a high school girl due at 4 for her fitting. Didn't want her upstairs as hubby and George were in the living room yaking and they both might have suffered massive heart attacks if they had seen this young lady in her dress. I am still trying to figure out how she will be able to dance in it without showing her behind. Her mother was here for the first fitting so she knows just how much flesh daughter is baring so not my problem.
Back to the remodel. It was an up/down kind of day. Very up as Ray showed up, worked hard and got a lot of dry wall up. Removed the old closet facade in Sew & Sew and got the drywall up on both sides. That was an adventure as the guy who drywalled S&S was lazy and put a sheet on top of existing drywall. Don't ask me why so they had to do an extra step so that there would be a smooth transition. It looks great!
I am having my fold out ironing board moved from the old laundry room to the new digs. Ray removed the cupboard a couple of weeks ago and there is a hole in the wall there too. I had some stuff stored under there as I ran out of boxes. But Bob ordered a bunch of coffee for our Kuerig so I'm flush with boxes again. I got everything cleared out of the existing laundry room, floor swept, etc so Ray could go to work in there.
Where the cabinet was, I'm having Ray build a closet for me to hang my alteration garments in. He framed that out this afternoon, except that we have to move one of the ceiling lights which requires a new piece of ceiling (suspended) so he'll have to buy a sheet. I looked where they stash extras after projects and didn't have any. At any rate, I was thrilled to see work starting in the existing laundry room as that is basically going to be storage. The closet, plus Ray found a cool set-up for my rolls of vinyl to be stored on. I'm not sure how many rolls can be stored at once but it's going to be great!!! That will go where the utility sink is now and where the washser and dryer are currently located will be a bunch of shelving units. No excuse for mess or clutter once this is done and I get everything put back in order (right now I've got stuff jammed in every nook and cranny I could find.
The bad news was that the dumb @ss plumber did not rough in for the washer and didn't do something that Ray needs for the corner tub so he didn't completely dry wall today. He said he would work tomorrow and plans on having the plumber in as well. When I raised by eyebrows at that, he said it wouldn't be a problem as the plumber wants to be paid. I laughed and sang my favorite Springsteen lyric from Darlington County: "County man said if he don't work, he don't get paid." So that was the down part of the day.
At any rate, this is the Ray I knew from Royal Indian Cuisine job. If the plumber actually shows up, shouldn't take him but an hour I would hope to rough those two things in and Ray has all the drywall in the new room and is ready to slam that stuff up and then start the mud and tape process. He would like to be able to sand and prime on Monday and work on the tile on Tuesday.
Tomorrow he said he will work on the doors and bench for the changing room area. This place is truly going to kick @zz! I am totally fired up over it. I take my customers down to look at it, even if I have them change upstairs. Am I a nut or what?
Virginia
QuoteAm I a nut or what?
If you are not a nut, what else could you be? I've found that there is a lot of freedom in being a nut. I can talk to myself without worrying about what others might think. I can laugh at my jokes even when others do not. I can appreciate whatever I appreciate without concern for social norms. I can affix my stare about 2 feet behind the store clerk's face and let a bit of drool drip down from the corner of my mouth and they always give me the discount. Sanity if for those who lack imagination.
I was once hanging pictures inside a mansion in the very rich part of our town. This was additional work to some upholstery I did. These pictures looked like they were stolen from a museum. I'm hanging a 20 foot high mirror and I notice water dripping from the ceiling. I told the homeowner and she said she had a plumber working on one of the bathrooms upstairs earlier that day. I wonder if that was the same plumber you are using, Virginia? ;D
gene
Gene sounds more than likely that it is.
I've been taking pictures every day of the progress. It's also nice as it gives me a timeline of what days Ray has been here working and what days he hasn't as well as what was done each day. I have more on my camera that show the new look better (most of it is framed) but I need to download. Thought I would share a few of the early on.
First three are all before (I opted not to take any before it was emptied as it was stuffed with our stuff and everyone we knew was storing stuff in there as well.
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FWest%2520Foundation%2520Wall%2520Before_zpsa2pbm0fc.jpg&hash=9bd5c5bac581011b728afa57d28875a4) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/West%20Foundation%20Wall%20Before_zpsa2pbm0fc.jpg.html)
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FFoundation%2520Wall%2520Before_zpski3d1vq8.jpg&hash=68f978f0d35e66ba7f6ca871ba0c7b46) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/Foundation%20Wall%20Before_zpski3d1vq8.jpg.html)
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FCeiling%2520Before_zps1mp6npbj.jpg&hash=17ae7d6ee44c3540c60d2dfc36c937f9) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/Ceiling%20Before_zps1mp6npbj.jpg.html)
This is the wall that is shared with Sew & Sew. The door is to my right and the opening to the left was my old closet. Washer & Dryer will go there since the plumbing stack is there.
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FWall%2520Looking%2520Into%2520Sew%2520amp%2520Sew_zpskkcjm7cv.jpg&hash=2f01c613f85acf27fa1ee7cdccf50a64) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/Wall%20Looking%20Into%20Sew%20amp%20Sew_zpskkcjm7cv.jpg.html)
Framing has begun:
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FFraming%2520Has%2520Begun_zpsbihgzlc2.jpg&hash=09eb17a505ab523e18d322573ab1dacf) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/Framing%20Has%20Begun_zpsbihgzlc2.jpg.html)
Last, but certainly not least, the changing area:
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy511%2Fhuskerslover2001%2FChanging%2520Room_zpsv1a2afg3.jpg&hash=eaeb6dbb495cb27e51eb55d5d0a4f3ad) (http://s1278.photobucket.com/user/huskerslover2001/media/Changing%20Room_zpsv1a2afg3.jpg.html)
I'll get some more uploaded, maybe later this weekend or the first of the week. It's really cool to chart the progress!
Virginia
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs1278.photobucket.com%2Fuser%2Fhuskerslover2001%2Fmedia%2FWest%2520Foundation%2520Wall%2520Before_zpsa2pbm0fc.jpg.html&hash=41520466827ce90f973ba93d31263f5a)
LMAO---When Dad ( the electrician) moved the little house to Gladstone Man. in '71 and added on he just put pull chain lamp holders in the basement "temporarily" . . When they moved to Saskatchewan in '82 only his office, Sheila's room and the rec. room had switched fixtures.Took him the better part of the afternoon to get that ready to sell the house. He built a beautiful house in Saskatchewan. Four bedroom, three bath bungalow for he and Mom ( and us kids and grand kids when we showed up) but the down stairs "bath" looked a lot like that for several years right between the finished rec. room the finished 4th bedroom and the closet for the hot water tank and softener .
If ours looks this way for "several years", I"m in hot water for sure. So let's see, the "new" Ray didn't show up Saturday as he said he would. I had told Bob Friday afternoon that I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Ray would not show up Saturday.
I emailed him Sunday evening asking him what his schedule was for Monday and if he had gotten hold of the plumber. Got an email from him Monday that he would be over shortly. He was here around 10, in fact, I was just thinking that he wasn't going to show up when he knocked on the side door.
Finished framing the closet (think he tore down what he had done Friday as he didn't like it) which was an absolute bear because the guy that framed our existing laundry room didn't bother to make sure that everything was plumb. Anyway, got the closest dry walled and also cut the hole in the new room for my fold away ironing board to go. We also chatted about the bench in the changing room. We were both thinking that a triangle in one of the corners would be cool but it's a small enough area that we were both concerned about having a bench comfortable enough for my plus size ladies to sit on to change. So it will be on the wall opposite the swinging doors (think old Westerns and the saloon doors). Ray left early (2:30 ish) to "work at home". Said that he has a different saw that he is using to cut out the doors and was going to work on them some more as well as cutting out the wood for the bench. He's supposed to be bringing me the top as I am going to upholster it. Have some fabulous fabric and think I have enough for the bench and the teeny-tiny window (non functional) in the room.
Oh, also told me that he was having trouble getting hold of his wonderful plumber but that he thought he had found another plumber that would finish up. Man, I kick myself every day for wanting to save money and not hiring the ones that we knew. I told him that if the other guy wanted to come last evening, no problem we are more than willing for him to do it that way. Got an email from him last night that he heard from the plumber and he would be here today. I emailed him back to see if it was the first guy or second guy but he didn't answer back. I think that tells me that it's the first time. We'll find out today. Problem is that Ray's done just about everything he can until the plumber finishes up the rough in, which he told me when he left that Saturday that he had finished and that Ray was "good to go". Jack wagon. There are like 4 or 5 pieces of dry wall left to hang which can't be hung until rough in is completed and then it's ready for mud and tape. Things will go really quick once mud and tape is done. Paint, lay tile and then it's time for fixtures to be put in place which of course means the darn plumber again. Then move the washer/dryer over there and Ray tears out the utility sink and repurposes the old laundry room into an excellent store room. Then nirvana for Virginia and a most excellent space for my customers to change into.
Virginia
Happy days are here again! Plumber showed up (original one - grrr) and got all the rough in finished finally. Ray is following right behind them getting that last wall completely dry walled. Tomorrow the guy who muds/tapes should be in getting that done. Ray will paint/tile, move washer and dryer and then we can get the tub/toilet/sink installed. Plumber will have to do that and will take out the old plumbing in the laundry room at that time so that Ray can "repurpose" that room. I'm beginning to feel like we are going to survive this project after all.
Ray and I had a long talk this morning. He asked me if I would be interested in doing his books as his words are that he is terrible about book work. I told him that I would if he's serious but that the biggest thing he can do for his business is to lose this plumber. So we shall see. I was surprised to find out that he didn't know what an AIA is. It's just a standard form used in contracting business that the sub or general submits each month to get paid. You have categories on there (plumbing, electrical, supplies, labor, alarms, etc) as well as corresponding dollar values for each category. Those values add up to your bid. Each time an AIA is submitted and you are paid for it, you receive 85% or 90%, depends on the contract. After the job has been accepted by the owner and the contractor is paid by the owner then all of the 10 or 15% retainage is paid to the sub. I told Ray that especially with this plumber, it is vital that he use the AIA form. Interesting chat but we'll see where it all goes.
I'm over the moon that the stupid plumber finally finished the rough-in. Cannot wait to get this job finished. Oh, also got my wood slab for the changing room that I will put foam on it and then upholster it. So I can start cutting foam and fabric this evening. Yippee!
Virginia
Virginia im not here a lot but I have been checking in on you thread good to see things progressing, what is the upholstered board in the changing room for?
Mike:
That is the bench that people sit on while changing clothes. It's been so long since I was in a real changing room that I have no clue if those are hard or soft benches but I wanted mine to be soft. And I have a fabulous piece of fabric that I've been dying to use for something. Matches my paint and tile wonderfully. I did get fabric cut for that last night and found a 3" foam remnant that I'll use. Also determined that I don't have enough of that fabric (long since discontinued) for the windows but I have a solid that coordinates well enough. I have enough excess of the print that I can add a ruffle and that should tie everything together.
Virginia
Quotebut I have a solid that coordinates well enough. I have enough excess of the print that I can add a ruffle and that should tie everything together.
See now that's the difference between men and women. If I were building a shop it would be like ---"windows ? Good idea. but if I put a grease pit in the boat bay I could work on my vehicles on the weekend and stick the compressor in there under the removable boards to keep it quiet......."LOL
Well the window is already there and the current curtain is the most hideous shade of peachy/pink I've ever seen. Once Ray took them down, they revealed the nastiest looking little basement, non egress window I've ever seen. So, I have no choice but to get it covered up as quickly as I can.
As far as today's accomplishments, that can be summed up in one word: Nadda, zilch, nothing, the big goose egg, zippo. Do I make myself clear?
The jerk didn't show up, no phone call, no email, etc, etc, etc.
So, I'll send a friendly little email in a bit and enquire about tomorrow's schedule. We're basically ready for the guy that does the mud/tape bit. Possible that he was tied up but would have been nice for Ray to have communicated that to me.
Anyway, so it goes. I got a lot of work done on prom dresses (winter ball is Feb. 6th and have been swamped with young ladies all a twitter about their big dance. Cannot believe how incredibly short the dresses are this year. Not sure how they will be able to move on the dance floor without exposing themselves. LOL I do sound like an old fuddy duddy don't I?
We'll see what tomorrow brings at any rate.
Virginia
Happy Days! Ray and his helper showed up bright and early. I was just heading down the stairs when Joe started going off. I looked out the side door and there was Ray's smiling race peering in at me. As I suspected, he spent yesterday working on his other job because "That lady was really riding my @ss!" I did a slow burn on that one but didn't say anything.
Anyway, he got the rest of the dry wall hung and most of it mud and taped. Two inside corners he wanted his helper to mud and tape and he had gone to the other job. Ray said he would be here tomorrow to finish the mud and tape business. They will be in and out doing that. He also said that he would be here Sat to sand and paint. I will believe that when I see it, but as he said it's about a 2 hour job tops.
If I could keep him here working solid all next week and we get the frickin' plumber when we need him, the job could be completely finished by the end of the week. Myself, I expect it to drag on into the week after that.
Ray also fixed the leak in the shower that his plumber created.
All in all, not a bad day. I did tell one of my customers that he is absolutely the slowest dry wall hanger I've ever seen but so it goes. At least he got it finished.
Virginia
Happy Days are here again!
Mud and tape is done, except for the inside of the closet. Contractor says that he will be here in the morning to sand and then paint.
He will start cutting tile on Monday. I should be in the new room by the end of the week. He will still have some stuff to do in the old laundry room but it is mostly cosmetic and then to install some shelving units in there. Cannot wait to get in there.
I did get a favor from Ray for "being so good to him" (translation is that I haven't been a total witch about all the delays". I have a pair of dining room chairs that I recovered for a lady. Piece of crap stuff actually. Original fabric was literally paper thin. New fabric was much better quality. Anyway, I was having a devil of a time trying to get the hardware back in place. Ray helped finish putting the screws back in. Actually bored out the holes a little as there was no way the thicker fabric would let us reuse the original holes. Fun was getting the arm rests back in place. It was a bear screwing back in, with the screw covered by fabric and inset in the stuffing. Yes, I had a pin marking the spot but finding where the screw went was not fun. Three were not too bad but the last side, holy crap, we both thought it was never going to screw in correctly. Finally success and I can get these returned back to their owner who was less than understanding about this issue. Ah well, can't satisfy all of them all of the time.
Hope all have a good weekend.
Virginia
Quick update.
Doo-fus, I mean contractor was supposed to be here at 8:30 to sand and then paint the new multi-purpose room. As usual, when Ray doesn't show up, there is no call, no email, simply no show. That was the case again today. Incredibly irritating as we are soooo close to the finish line and I'm soooo excited to have it done and relocate what is going into the new room.
I'll try to get this week's pictures uploaded tomorrow or Monday so that y'all can see what it looks like now.
Virginia
Still haven't loaded new pictures. Had a very lazy weekend. Long overdue.
Ray and helper arrived bright and early. Getting ready to spray the walls and then start cutting the tile. WHO HOOO!!
Seeing how we are the bulls eye of the blizzard, hoping that they don't get snowed in here. On one hand, they might get the job finished. But on the other hand, I don't want them around 24-7 for 2 or 3 days. LOL
Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe everyone in the storm's path. It is a wide storm and has already affected CA with power outages, if I heard the Weather Channel clip correctly.
Virginia
Man, this dude has me so po'd right now I could scream. Left for lunch around 11:30 and said that he would be back to spray the ceiling, paint, start cutting tile, etc. 2:45 and haven't seen hide nor hair of him. I'm sure no matter how little snow we get tomorrow, it will be too much for him to be able to get here. Another week of mess and upheaval. So very glad that this is the last major interior remodeling project that we have. Ugh!
Virginia
And so the saga continues. Of course, Ray did not contact me about Monday afternoon, just blew me off again. I did not expect him here Tuesday or Wednesday morning. But if my 65 year old hubby with many health issues could get us dug out, I wouldn't think that a healthy 40 year old with 4 boys would have any problems getting dug out. Most, if not all, businesses were open on Wednesday afternoon. Regardless, it is now going on 10 am and no sign of Ray and no contact. Tried to call and his phone isn't working. My guess is that he hasn't paid his bill and he's shut off. Maybe his computer access to so he may not be getting my very po'd email that I just sent.
We are down to painting, laying tile and then bringing in fixtures and having plumber connect them. Then a little repurposing in the old laundry room and it's done. When this job first started, he wanted to remove the washer and dryer and repurpose that room first. I wasted no time in explaining that the washer/dryer would, under no circumstances, be moved until the new connection was in place. I cannot imagine how I would be reacting if I still didn't have my washer/dryer. That would have been the week after Christmas.
Some day this nightmare will end (I hope) and I will have an extremely cool set-up but right now I am beyond exasperated and don't know what to do to get this project going again. Sheesh!
Virginia
Hang in there Virginia, tomorrow is another day.
Quote from: kodydog on February 04, 2016, 04:23:54 pm
Hang in there Virginia, tomorrow is another day.
Yup, another day for Ray to not show up. I'm spending the day cleaning up after that SOB. Just spend over an hour sweeping plaster dust and vacuuming the carpets downstairs. I can still see plaster dust so after my break will take my good Kirby downstairs and see if it will work some magic for me. Still have a ton of plaster dust in the old laundry room in the area of the closet being built so will finish sweeping that out before I vacuum again. Then need to mop the vinyl in the laundry room real well and dust everything in site. Hopefully my wedding party won't freak out. I'd reschedule but I've done that twice already due to Mr. Lazy Bones and I don't want to lose this job.
Fortunately, I'm not super busy right now. A lot of small alteration jobs and working on cushions for a cool antique rocker but nothing major Have some stuff scheduled for late Feb or early Mar so at least I have the time to deal with his screw-ups. Problem is that I'd rather be spending down time quilting or something else that is fun, not this crap.
Virginia
Got tired of posting every day, "Well Contractor didn't show up again today." so I haven't been posting about my contractor woes.
Saw Ray last the morning before our big blizzard, Feb 1st. When he left for lunch, said that he would be back after lunch to spray the ceiling but never showed up, never called, never emailed. I gave him a pass Tues and Wed. Thur was one of those days where I figured that he could have gotten over here had he wanted to but Bob & I both figured that he would use the blizzard as his excuse for skipping out the entire week, which he did.
I emailed him that weekend, not in very good cheer, and asked him to contact me about the job. No reply. Started calling and phone either was out of order or went straight to voice mail. He's really good about dropping his phone in water so he has to get it replaced pretty often. By the end of the second week when I hadn't heard from Ray, I was beyond p*ssed. I sent him another email this last weekend, very politely asking him what his intentions were about the Sew & Sew job and delineated the time frames and length of time since he had last worked here and, of course, no response.
Sunday afternoon, his helper came over to get a couple of tools. They weren't anything expensive, just stuff to use when mudding/taping and probably didn't cost over 20 bucks total, if that. I let him go down and get what he wanted, under my supervision, of course, and we chatted briefly. I asked him if Ray was okay as I hadn't seen him for 2 weeks. He said that he had talked to Ray, I think, the day before (his English is broken and mixed with Spanish so it's hard to be sure). Anyway, he said that Ray had told him that he was going to come and talk to me on Monday and that he also said that he was going to get the plumber and electrician over to finish up.
It came as no surprise to me that Ray didn't show up on Monday. I called helper to see if he had talked to Ray and asked him if Ray was working the job over on Ponderosa. Elvis told me that Ray had been working that job at least a couple of days. Needless to say I was really P.O.'d about that. So, when Ray didn't show up here again today, I decided to take a drive on Ponderosa Dr/Ct looking for Ray's truck which I did not find.
On the way home, I decided that enough was enough. When I walked in the door, I told Bob that Ray wasn't there (drove both streets twice before I came back home) and that I decided the time had come to press charges. So after lunch, I composed a nice long email to Ray. I laid out the dates I had paid him money, what little had been done, how much material has not made it over to my house yet, what tasks remain to be done, etc. Then I told him that if he wasn't here working by Thursday that I was going to drive over to GIPD Friday morning and file formal charges for theft of services or whatever the appropriate charge was. About 15 minutes later, I received an email back from Ray apologizing and telling me that he would not be able to come until Monday as he is working out of town Wed-Fri.
Boy was I torqued. I emailed him back and asked him WTF was he doing working another job when my job wasn't finished yet. Told him that I expect him to be working my house 8-5 every day until my job is finished with no delays, no excuses and that I want a detailed email back from him as far as what he will be doing. Haven't heard back from him. I'm beyond p*ssed. Hoping that I have at least put the fear of something in him to where he will get on the stick and finish the job. Really isn't that much left. Needless to say, I will not be recommending him for anything. ARGHHHH
Virginia
Electrician did come as promised today and got the remaining two issues resolved so the week wasn't a total loss at least. Hopefully contractor realizes that I'm serious about filing a report and will complete the job next week. Time will tell. I sure hope so as this hole situation really has me down in the dumps.
Virginia
Just to add insult to injury, dumb@ss did not show up yesterday or today. Left 2 voice mails and 2 emails and no response. Also, called GIPD and they were kind enough to send a police officer over. Not theft of services since he has done some of the work and we would have to file a civil suit to recoup any extra $$$'s that we have paid him. I'm sure he would figure it out so that he doesn't owe us anything. If I had my tub, etc., I would tell him to screw off and find someone else to finish the job. I was planning on painting this weekend down there but think that isn't happening for a while.
Virginia
So now contractor Ray = dumbass. Yeah I said it. Just don't know what to tell you Virginia. Would like to say fire the SOB but I know you have a lot of money invested. Hope it all turns out. Keep us posted.
We went through a similar thing when we had our house built. What should have taken 3 months turned into a year. Not entirely the builders fault and we were very patient. When done he built us a really nice house.