How Are Your Christmas Day Plans Coming Along?
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (20)
Related Discussions
It's May, how is your build coming along?
Comments (53)Bevangel, Thank you so much for posting the gory details about your situation. It is a great service to all who read it, not only because others will now proceed with their "eyes wide open" but also so we can benefit from the solutions you've developed to deal with unscrupulous builders. I would SOOOO like to have found an attorney like you before we started building. I did all kinds of local and internet research, but in the end, I kind of threw up my hands and went about figuring out how to try to protect ourselves by structuring our contract and writing an intensive questionnaire asking many specific questions of the builders we interviewed. I even stated that their answers would become part of the final contract, and I stapled their responses to the signed contract. Ha...lots of good that did! Unfortunately, about 6 wks into our build, we found out that our builder had lied several times on our interview questionnaire in response to such questions as, "have you ever operated under a different business name?" and "have you ever been involved in any legal/mediation issues?" He had been the subject of a huge lawsuit that actually brought about changes in our Contractors State License Board practices/rules - granted, his situation was 10 years ago, and he claimed that it was unfair that he was still haunted by it, and that a "crazy lady was stalking him", etc, etc. Also, all of his recent references raved about his work and reported that they had come in on time and on budget and quality was excellent, etc, etc, but still it was/is shocking and infuriating that his former shady practices had been lied about, and had somehow slipped under our radar before we hired him. We came very close to firing him (and actually did but then rescinded) and now have all kinds of safeguards in place (most importantly, we have about 20% of the cost of our entire contract held until after we get our CO and final punch list resolved). We only have about 2 months to go with him and all has been fine for the past several months, but I still can't help but wonder each time we pay him or interact with him if he's telling the truth. I remember in the beginning before building even started, we had to have the City building inspectors come out to our property to review and make a ruling on something (not a minor issue, but a major thing), and the builder told me he was of the mindset to just do what we wanted to do without asking, bragging that he always "asked for forgiveness, not permission". DING, DING, DING! Warning bells should've gone off in my head, and I should've listened to my instincts. Anyway, I felt really stupid and extra angry about the whole thing because I had been so proud of myself for going through a lot of due diligence, writing my 2-page interview questionnaire and interviewing 4 builders, getting rock solid bids from all, being super specific about all our materials, etc, etc, etc. But, what I could not prevent was someone who has no problem lying, especially when it benefits him. In hindsight, I would have liked to have better legal help at the start, specifically a better contract in place. It is pretty frustrating that government agencies like the state contractor boards go around helping consumers get out of messes with contractors but don't really help prevent them in the first place. I looked high and low for a good boilerplate contract but couldn't find one...instead, we ended up agreeing to his contract with some major revisions, and now I see how vulnerable it left us. I believe this is an area where someone like you could both provide a great service and probably fill a potentially lucrative unfilled niche...writing contracts or providing good boilerplate language to help protect homeowners would be awesome. You could even probably sell these boilerplate contracts over the internet for the thousands of people who do not want to hire an attorney (and probably feel that nothing bad will happen to them anyway!) but want some protection. We feel especially vulnerable because we don't have a bank looking over our shoulder at each draw...we are funding this build with 100% of our own money. Yikes. Anyway, at this point (knock on wood) things appear to be on track. We are incredibly vigilant about getting lien releases at each draw, not only from every sub and supplier but also a blanket one from the GC, but who are we to know if he's just lying as happened in your case? This whole process is so fraught with opportunities for bad contractors to swindle innocent and helpless homeowners...it's pathetic! Anyway, thanks again for sharing your painful (but very useful to others) story. I wish you all the best and will eagerly look forward to seeing the progress of your home in future postings. Susan...See MoreIt's May, how is your build coming along?
Comments (69)I decided to finally post to this thread even though we're about at the end of our ropes. We're nearly done with the house. Trim guys finished last week. All we really have left is some electrical work, plumbing fixture installation, final coat of paint and the exterior grading, then of course the huge punch list. Mostly though we're just frustrated at the lack of attention we've received from the builder and the constant barrage of shortcuts all the subs are trying to take because they want to be done with the project and the foreman isn't around. We talked with the foreman yesterday and he outright admitted that he has no idea what's going on at our house because he hasn't been there in so long. Every day it's my husband's job to see what's been done wrong and have it addressed. DH has basically been the foreman on this job, so obviously the foreman we're paying doesn't feel like he needs to be there. We're nearing the end and I'm just dreading the battle with them over the final draw on the house. We know they and their subs are going to try to soak us for more money to cover all their mistakes when they were THEIR mistakes, not ours. We feel like we should be getting a discount for doing their jobs for them and I'm sure they're going to try to soak us for every last penny and I'm dreading having this discussion. At this point we just want these people done and out of our house and out of our lives. Hopefully soon. Very, very soon....See MoreIt's November, how is your build coming along?
Comments (54)Hick14 and Kimber95 - Hello to my house building friends in IL! I'm doing a "NO MORE RAIN" dance tonight! Make it stop! Hick14 - How exciting! Our house is being built just off Rt 78 if you ever want to stop and look at it. I'd love to see pictures of yours! Ours won't be finished until June.....When is your hopeful move in date? Welcome to GardenWeb! I love seeing everyone's pics and getting helpful advice. Kimber95 - Very exciting for you, too! Isn't this rain and cold weather awful if you are trying to build a house?? It looks like you are progressing nicely. I stopped out at our building site today, and oh the mud!!! Yuck, yuck, yuck. I can't wait for the roof to be on and windows and doors on so it will be protected from the weather. ..................................................... cursivesailor - Big check! I hear ya! The foundation, basement, garage was a big one. The checks have slowed down a bit for a while.....but I'm sure there are plenty more bills to come. tdog..only a month ago breaking ground. Wow! You must have busy builders. crescent50 - Beautiful setting! Welcome all! What an exciting journey we are on together....See MoreHow are your project's coming along?
Comments (4)Hey Luvs~ I've missed you too. I am not doing well with my painting. I've been practicing and getting frustrated with the one stroke. I thought it might be my brushes so bought a few of Donna's,nope, still not getting it so I had to give it up for a few days. I think I do need to get some of the Folkart paint. I usually use Delta and I think it may not be thick enough like you said. Plus I need to be less stingy with it. Not used to loading my brush up so much. My composition sucks too. Can't get it to look like it all goes together. I'll keep at it though. I'm just not a natural. ha I got my little Easter sign done, but not happy with it at all. Thought I'd post it, then decided not to. ha I was going to start on my Easter Eggs and then found that I have lost the dumb things. You know I bought them at the TS around Christmas and put them up somewhere and I'll be darned if I can find them anywhere. During the Christmas hooplala who knows what I did with them. Want to get started on DD's box, but she keeps changing her mind on what she wants on it. I still have my snowmen hinged thingy to work on and want to do a 2-sided sign for my SIL which I'll probably work on today, but just getting more aggravated than anything else because nothing is turning out like I want it to. ha Other than my painting frustrations, I had a long lost cousin who came out of the woodwork asking about some family history so I spent a few days looking up stuff for her. We've had a few good days of weather so I did get out in the yard and got a few things done, but can't do much until it gets more consistant. It is dumping snow on us for the next 3 days then will be beautiful again for the weekend. It's looked like a blizzard here most of today. I moved my office around and have been trying to do some early spring cleaning and organizing so that has taken up some of my time. I know what you mean about the patterns and such. I have been going thru things with DD to have her pick something out and most of the books I have are more than one holiday too. And you know I just realized that one of the last books I bought had some pages missing. I'm pretty sure I got it at Michaels, but don't have the reciept anymore. That's annoying, isn't it? Guess I'll have to check those better before I buy them from now on. Anyway, that's my life over here. DH has been working hard on the garage and says he is going to make a workbench for me and my saw so I'm pretty excited about that. I look forward to seeing your ducky trio. :) You are right, they'll look better as a flock.....or what is a group of ducks? A brood? No that's hens. ha Oh, is it a paddle or is that only when they are on the water? Anyway, I'll have to go look that up or it will bug me all day. ha Do you do that too? ha Chat with ya soon. ~Anj...See More
10 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEHow to Get Along With the Neighbors — and Live Happier at Home
Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration and respect
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Living Room
A task a day sends messes away. Take a week to get your living room in shape
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Entry Hall
Take your entry from scuffed up to spiffed up — restoring total cleanliness and order in just a week
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage
Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPING7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Bedroom
Create a sanctuary where you can relax and dream without the nightmare of lurking messes
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGN6 Driveway Looks Take Landscapes Along for the Ride
See how to design a front yard that makes your driveway its own destination
Full Story
MOST POPULAROvernight Guests Coming? How to Be a Great Host
Ensure a good time for all — including yourself — by following these steps for preparing for and hosting houseguests
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNGet Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort
Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places
Full Story
URBAN GARDENSCommunity Thrives Along With a Garage-Top Garden
Seattle neighbors join forces to create a large-scale community garden atop an old parking structure
Full Story
RUSTIC STYLEHouzz Tour: A Fly Fisher’s Dream Along the Yellowstone River
This new home combines local ranch style with contemporary elements, including energy efficiency
Full Story
lucillle