I think what Green-Designs is pointing out is what I also have: that the coliform isn't coming from deep in the rock formation where your well is drawing its water. It's coming from some point in the casing, piping, supply lines etc. that brings the water up to the surface and then on into your house and out through the tap. Unless your well is like mine here on the farm (a hole lined with laid up stones) it was drilled into rock, then above the rock the hole was line with metal pipes in the soil running up to the surface (the casing). Depending on your system design either a pump is lowered down into the well through the casing and pipes come up from the pump with the water or pipes with a foot valve are lowered down through the casing into the standing water with a suction pump attached above that to raise the water.. At the well head the water is redirected below the frost level typical for your area in pipes through the ground into your house. From thence to a pressure tank and then out to your taps, etc. Somwhere in that system surface water carrying coliform bacteria from some critters' gut (large or small, human or non-human) entered the system contaminating it. It could have been a one-time event, but most likely the breach is still there, and even if more bacteria is not now coming, it could in the future. And any thing that increases soil water (on surface or just in the soil) carries the possibility that it will happen again. The other possibility here is that the breach is inside your house, and so unaffacted by high soil moisture. For instance perhaps you have a sewer drain and supply line too close together and a small leak has formed in both allowing an exchange of contents. Not likely, but it could happen. Or perhaps you have had a back flow of coliform carrying water through a tap connection - washing machine feed hose, an icemaker supply line or an outdoor hose bib is where this might have happened. Maybe a plumbing repair introduced it originally. That's why it's possible that a single, or even a series of shocks might eliminate it. But also why, if it continues to test positive, you may need to do more work to find and fix the problem. I wouldn't hesitate to shock it and then retest, upstream of your UV system, of course. The bad test is "on the record" now anyway, so you've nothing to lose. It's inconvenient to shock, and a little stinky as you will have to run the chlorinated water out. But maybe it will do the trick. Your county (or state) health department has dealt with this countless times before and can give you good advice on how to do it. They won't think you are Typhoid Mary out to infect the whole region. It's just a common well problem that needs to be addressed. Scads of people with private supply systems have been through this. Unless your water supply is located in an area with tons of animal manure run-off, chances are it will be no big deal to address. That's where your buyers went off the deep end. If you want to live in an area with private water and/or septic systems you have to expect this sort of thing from time to time. (The drowned squirrel that decayed in my well, was unusual, though. Definitely a worst case example!>) HTH L.

I have one that lives on her own and goes to college and one 16.. so we got rid of our house since we will be empty nesters soon. The house that I just sold was in the woods so we didn't use the backyard much. I love gardening and working in the yard, that's what sold us on this little place. It's so tiny inside but the outside is heaven! When I get back over there I will get some better pics. Oh and I am in KY, so pretty sure I am zone 6. Love all of the flowers! I can't wait to have my yard looking like that. There is a fire pit in the back, so can't wait to entertain! I am just stuck on what to do by the house in the back. French doors are a must. Love that idea. The things on the deck are not mine, they are the sellers. Heck, once I stain it and put all of my stuff up there, it may not need much. Like you said, climbing roses etc.

To the OP - I would consult an attorney before you do anything else. Even if it is clearly spelled out in the contract that doesn't necessarily mean it is collectible. From your description I believe you are discussing a design-build firm rather than an independent architect. If it is, in fact, an independent architect then their failure to be aware of costs becomes less of a concern for him and a problem for you. I only understand a small bit of Canadian law, which is to say that I understand that contract law in Canada is pretty similar to contract law in the U.S. and that is the extent of my knowledge. In every contract there is a requirement that the parties act honestly and in good faith. Your theory seems to be that they didn't act in good faith during the design phase, because there is a reasonable expectation that a design-build firm has enough understanding of costs to keep them reasonable. Instead they acted to increase the cost of the build so that they could profit from the additional revenues, in both the design phase and the build phase. That is a theory that gets a lot of traction here in the U.S. and no matter the terms of the contract, they can't act in bad faith. Whether or not that this particular situation gets a lot of traction in Canada is something I just don't know, but I suspect it does. Your best bet is to spend just a little bit on a qualified attorney and get this behind you. I wouldn't advise waiting and doing nothing, although that is also viable, if they do pursue it, waiting will just close several doors that are open to you right now. Personally, I tend to be very aggressive on these things and would communicate to the firm that I will subpoena information on all previous design clients if they want to continue.

Hi Ashley- I think putting grass in a driveway is a waste of money as it may die from the car fumes. In addition, depending on where you live, if you have some very hot and dry months, the grass will die out anyway. I'm not sure about a garage pergola. If you live in a part of the country that's hot, you can build a pergola in the back so you can dine and entertain al fresco in some shade, and you can decide if you want to have some vines grow up the pergola or not. That palm tree in the front will grow and that will make a big difference. I would plant some pretty things in the planter around your mailbox. Maybe some shrubs and things with color in front of the house would look nice. Maybe some window boxes with flowers under the two double windows on the second floor? Why not invite Dig Doug into this thread, and tell him what part of the country you live in, and he will give you some fantastic ideas.