"You can survive this. Talk to others that have"

ninebark posted 7/9/2013 07:59 AM

For the first time in 13 years I am in charge of my home, and therefore my renovations. This is new territory for me in someways.

My job requires me to deal with contractors, but usually not with my own home...and it is about to cause me hives.

So far I got my roof done, that was pretty smooth, I got a really good contractor.
But my 'handiman' is starting to peeve me off because he is doing the work around his full time work, only shows up for short periods of time, says he will be back and then doesn't come back and it is taking too long. THe rub is that he is a friend of a best friend, he is a really nice guy and I hate
to make waves because it will piss off my friends. ugh.

I sent a nice but firm email to him last night asking him in future to call me back if he cannot return and asking for a completion date on the work.

Man I miss having someone else around to deal with this crap. I have enough on my plate. I can't wait until renovations are complete.

[This message edited by ninebark at 8:00 AM, July 9th (Tuesday)]

gma56 posted 7/9/2013 15:47 PM

Time for a different handiman. Got to have someone you can work with concerning schedules.

Man I miss having someone else around to deal with this crap

If everything looks better than you visioned, pat yourself on the back !You saw it through by yourself !

missherlots posted 7/9/2013 18:29 PM

dear NB,

I am a contractor myself.
Rule No 1 do not work for family or friends unless you are willing to loose them.
Rule No 2. everything in writing, times tables, money cost including everything, etc.
Rule no. 3 no cheap estimates or the contractor will realized that there is no money to be made and the other jobs will have priority.

It is better to hire someone out of the street with good references from previous clients.
that being said, then you can set the tone of work.

Hope everything works out for you, and remember, take it easy and be VERY patient with the job progress because It will test your patience. Construction work is like no other trade. lots of factors come to place including the end of the world like sometimes.

my two cents

[This message edited by missherlots at 6:31 PM, July 9th (Tuesday)]