I now have two additional electrical outlets installed. I did have to make a quick run to town to pick up an “in-use” electrical box cover because I had neglected to specify wanting one of those installed so I can keep my smoker and hydroponic tower plugged in even through inclement weather. I do, however, need to follow up with the Amish contractor to see when they will be returning to finish the deck – it’s almost complete but for one side rail with a bench, and the stair replacement.
In the course of conversation with the electrician, while evaluation a location in the bathroom for an additional outlet, I asked if he knew any contractors that could handle a bathroom remodel and pointed out some of the issues with the previous job. He pointed out additional things he saw wrong (though we already knew) and we started chatting about local contractors. He mentioned hearing a lot of complaints about a particular one, and asked who had done our bath install. Since I have been avoiding just outright talking shit about the guy (bad gas travels fast in a small town), wanting to wait until all legal avenues have been attempted, I didn’t say his name, but we went back and forth dancing around the name and checking other facts to determine we were referencing the same guy.
Really though, I think the guy just bit off more than he could chew when he pivoted from roofing to general contracting. His work on our roof was quality, but I just don’t believe he has the skills to do the other interior projects for others. Sure, if working on your own home, it isn’t a big deal if you cut corners – it is you who will have to deal with any issues that arise down the line from that – but if you are working for others while claiming to be a “professional,” there is a much higher standard.
I’m pretty excited about all the projects in the pipeline and am looking forward to more “nesting” over the summer. When we bought the house, the inspector we had hired missed many issues we have been having to deal with (seems to be a running theme with the so-called “professionals” around here) – he didn’t catch the issue with the wood stove (leading to the upper floor being smoked out and nearly a fire), he didn’t catch the electrical issues (minor, but could have been problematic had they not been discovered), and he did not catch the fact that the joists holding our deck up were rotting out. And those are just some of the issues that were overlooked in the inspection…
Because of all those issues, we both had kept the possibility of finding another place that was better suited to our needs and not a work in progress. But as we have been tackling the issues, we are finally feeling comfortable enough with the property to start making all the improvements and adjustments for quality of life upgrades rather than just making sure the house isn’t falling apart and is presentable for potential buyers.
I guess that means our house is finally a home.
It’s about 70° and the cats (and wife) are all lounging on the deck, so I think I’m going to join them…
Song of the day: Country Roads by Bill Danoff (This version includes the lost verse not performed by John Denver)
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