They weren't there at first, now there are so many of them on the Stargazer and Aubade lilies, it detracts from their beauty, couldn't even take a photograph now without several being in it, didn't notice any last year. They don't seem to be doing any damage, must be going after the sugar. The blooms are so massed, large and beautiful this year on the SG's, you hardly see any foliage right now. They are also a nuisance on my new Becky shastas, are not bothering anything else that I've noticed. And I was relieved when they were just flies before there were so many because they weren't JB's. I am having enough trouble with various insects mainly on my roses and certainly don't want to have to find a relatively safe spray for flies, if there even is one safe for plants, think it best to just put up with them. I wonder what is causing it. I did buy a bag of cow manure last fall and worked it and some peat and city compost into the bed where the daisies are to amend the soil. That might be it, and they started on the shastas. I don't know what I have outside where they could be breeding except decaying leaf mulch in 2 bins I haven't quite used up yet and an uncovered garbage can for plant refuse I'm not set up to compost neatly yet. I want those open so water will get in there, it's cracked in the bottom and excess drains out. One year my dad let the tenants have a cement platform built attached to the barn for cows. It was too close to the house and driveway, smelled horrid, and the same kind of flies were awful, was there this time of year then, no cows for a long time. Luckily I only got that one bag of manure and won't be using any more of it in my garden.

The bid that was most off for us came from the architect's building partner. The architect was present at that meeting and was visibly embarrassed by the builder's lack of knowledge about the plan. He had obviously not studied it in any detail before the meeting. Our blueprint was meticulous and very specific... and they actually argued in front of us about their own creative differences. That was a real turnoff. It's hard to get apples to apples when people you should be able to trust are promising you anything, preparing to give you the cheapest alternative once you've signed their bottom line. The only way to avoid this crud is to educate yourself beforehand. We knew our foundation would run over 100K... it was the nature of the beast. We were quoted 20K by one builder. Another quoted 60K. Builder A had no crew that built on steep slopes so he just guessed. Builder B was going to use the same concrete guy that Builder C ended up using because he was essentially the only guy in the area anyone trusted with our engineered foundation. So there' s a big difference in a 60K bid and a 120K bid, and it has more to do with builder C making Slick (that's his name) actually sit down and study the freaking blueprint. Our lead carpenter came to the new house with a new blueprint for the future manse down the street. He was sweating bullets over it because those people want an estimate for their custom woodwork. Our builder got the job based on what he was doing on our house, but this house will really push the envelope as it is a trilevel foundation with about 6000 square feet. I have to respect the care and attention he gave that blueprint. He already knows every inch of trim in that house. Still, I know they will make their best estimate for costs- with as little guesswork as possible. I just didn't see all builders themselves as "apples to apples". Some are really lazy about doing their homework or assume they will talk you into cheaper options later on so they can get close to their underbid. There are a ton of things a client has to be aware of... EDUCATE yourself on all aspects of your project so you are not fresh meat to some of these arrogant so and so's.

Huh, industrial isn't what I would have thought, but they come in other textures. Mine really does look and feel like leather, so I assume it is a matte vinyl. It's called "baseketweave" in the link below. It feels heavenly to walk on, like a gel insole for a shoe. I've had it for about a year and a half. Here is a link that might be useful: gelpro mat pictures at chefs online

ditto w/the above posters Just went through all of that w/our basement - start outside first - especially helpful while downpouring - you may be surprised how the water is flowing off the roof/gutters - 1. landscaping pitched away fr. foundation 2. preferably no large plantings near foundation - they will attract water 3. gutters properly attached, pitched, draining away from home 4. you could try filling the cracks in the foundation to see how that holds up - 5.sump if necessary Waiting to see if your remedies work keeping moisture/water out before laying new flooring - in the interim get the carpet up/out and treat the floor -