Rough Grading - 5/1/08
Rough grading happened on 5/1. The pics above include that. Now the story.
After the deck was put in, then had to remove the top layer to expose the aggregate. This normally wouldn't be a problem, if they had covered everything. They didn't. So they got this gritty mud everywhere. Idiots! I could live with that though. They'd just have to come back to clean it up. The problem is that they didn't even cover my POND! A living eco-system that's delicately balanced! When I came home, I saw nothing but muddy water. I was beyond mad. I didn't have time to call and yell at anyone because I need to get in there and get it cleaned up. I'll skip ahead a couple days to say that all 25 fish survived, including some small babies that I was really worried about. If the fish had died, I would have probably been in jail for putting someone in the hospital.
On 5/1 they did the rough grading. Now, from the first interview I was extremely clear as to what I wanted and made it very clear that surprises (in the way of more money) was a very bad thing to happen. I told everyone to give me the real number, even if you had to pad it a little. It turns out that the PB didn't plan the fill dirt properly. The PB trucked in a load of dirt, but it was nowhere near enough. They didn't leave enough dirt from the dig! The PB claims that he didn't have the room to leave the dirt, but that's complete BS. Look at the pictures. Does it look like I don't have room for a bigger dirt pile?
So I called him up and told him he need to bring more dirt. No can do. He's brought as much as he can. He claims it's enough to do the rough grading. Maybe in some fantasy world where you don't understand what a grassed lawn is used for. With the dirt he left, we'd be rolling down a hill. Anyway, the landscaper, who has been absolutely great, worked with me and brought in 3 more truck loads. He only charged me for 2 and ate the gas on all 3 loads. He will be getting more business from me (starting with my front mulching tomorrow
)! So I'm out $600 for dirt! I had plenty of dirt! I don't even think it's about the cost at this point. The PB lost a reference because of a load of dirt (I would have split it with him). Go figure.
While I had him on the phone, and after he said no, I laid into him. Basically, stuff I had been letting slide was no longer going to be. After I got off the phone, I was ready to pay him a little visit. Now, it probably seems like I'm a hot head at this point, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I don't get angry. Ask anyone and they'll say they've never seen me angry. If I do get angry (and it take a lot), watch out. I had my keys in hand (I'm missing work at this point), but my wife and neighbor calmed me down. My wife just kept talking to me and my neighbor brought over a case of beer.
Well, I've calmed down now (it took a while) and I'm sure I've completely over reacted. I've left out some small little things, but they all built and I blew up. I'm better now (he says while drinking a beer).
Anyway, everything has turned out OK, thanks mainly to the landscaper. Up next, the fence.
John
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