Re: New Build in Red Stick- **pic heavy** 9-11 update
So have I told anyone how much I hate working with irresponsible contractors?
So I have this concrete to lay. It's pretty much impossible to lay it myself, it's just too much to finish for one person, 1100 sf plus some odds and ends. The guy I hired to do this is the same guy I hired to do the foundations for my additions and driveway and patios two years ago. I forgot just how much he frustrated me.
First he puts me off for a month, fine he is involved in a big project and I could use the break. When he finally shows up I go over everything with him, negotiate a price agreeable to both of us ( it was a little high, but I am getting the concrete cheaper than he can buy it and with the cheap concrete he is still way cheaper than just hiring someone else that would want to sell me the Crete too, plus I have done business with him in the past and was happy with the finished product. That weighs a lot with me.
Well the plan was for him to form and lay rebar mon-wed and get inspected thur and pour fri. He was to line up the line pump for the pour.
Part of the whole job was to form up the lid for my sump, and obtain the grate that would be set in it for access to the sump for clean out and pump maint.
I called him Thursday afternoon to tell him we passed the inspection ( just a bonding check) and he tells me ( less than 24 hours before the scheduled pour) oh, hey I couldn't get ahold of the line pump guy, and I couldn't find a grate to go on the sump so I haven't formed up the sump lid yet.
I'm sorry, what? Ok so we can't pour fri. I call and put off the concrete. I ask him to right now, get ahold of the line pump rental and take care of that. " uhhhh I don't have a guy for that" he lied about knowing where to get one. Fine, I will take care of that. What about the drain grate? Uhhhh I can't find one" Did you go to the iron foundry we have conveniently located less than 5 miles away? "uhhhh what's a foundry? You want iron? I was looking for a plastic grate. " wtf.
So I communicate my unhappiness, but am determined to make it through this so I tell him just show up tues for the pour I will line everything else up.
"uhhh I got another job lined up for next week". Well guess what? You don't finish my job as we agreed in a timely manner, I will not pay you a dime ( no money out at this point) and I will make your life miserable in court ( an empty threat but he knows I am not afraid of the courts, several lawyers for clients ). Ok, ok, Tuesday at 8? Yeah.
Good lord I hate irresponsible people. It took me 30 min to go to the foundry and pick up a grate and frame ( which I will deduct from his pay) and another 5 min to get a line pump set up for tues morning. Just why are people so lame? How the he'll does he make a living at this?
About the only good thing so far, is that my plaster guy bid to plaster, set coping, tile and 1100 sf of pavers for about the cost I had mentally reserved for the plaster. $10k so all I have left to do after that is set the equipment, and get the gas going to the heater and a double check valve installed for the autofill and irrigation water.
Sigh. Somebody fix me a drink, a double.
Best of luck,
