How do YOU check on contractors?

That's what we did when we built our MIL suite, Dale. At each step, John stopped and waited for the inspectors. He is just an individual. He'll likely do our kitchen work - putting in a 220v, yanking the old cabinets and installing the new. He may have to build up the subfloor where the cabinets are. Just from looking, it seems the linoleum floor is a little higher than the cabinet bases, so they may not have put the same subfloor beneath them? He estimated $850 labor for the job, before we realized subfloor might be an add-on to that. We're purchasing the materials.

We should get a couple more estimates, though we know JOhn and know he did great work. It's just that he's now working full-time at Howie's plant again, so he'll have to work in the daytime before his 4pm shift. That may mean a longer wait than someone who does it full-time would take.

Quick update...The roofing crew began today. They were supposed to arrive at 7-7:30am, but got here at 9:30am. They got as far as stripping off all the old roof and paper, putting new paper on the back side of the house, and tarping over the front. They say it will only take them 3 hours tomorrow to finish up. The job was supposed to only take one day - probably would have if they'd been on time and started right away.

We've decided to have our friend re-paint our original metal cabinets. They really are solid and well-made, and with a fresh, good paint job, they'll be great. John's going to stand and clean them, then do them with automobile paint. He restores cars from rusty frames on up, and is good at that stuff, so I know they'll look great.

The deciding factor was a local architectural salvage man looking at them and saying we ought to consider redoing them; he said he knows they'd sell very quickly for him since they're excellent cabinets (best he's seen around here in 8 years he said), but he said we'll never match their structure and durability without going with expensive wood cabinets.

So, nix the $1200-ish budget for new cabinets and scribble in $600-800 for John to remove the cabinets, paint them, and reinstall them. Now we're deciding on a color for them and figuring out how to arrange them differently for the best floor plan.

Window estimates are scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday. We'll likely go with Rosati Windows for their quality and service reputation. http://rosati.com

By the way, the BEST money we've spent so far was joining Angie's List - http://angieslist.com You can read dozens of graded reports on just about every type of service professional (except medical) around. It saved us MUCH time in weeding out the bad contractors before even calling them for estimates. We sure wish we'd checked Angie's List before using EverDry...We could have saved a bundle.

GW... I don't have the link handy, but there is a thread "Patio Conversion" by SgtDot. They finished today after about $34K, and she had tons of water coming through one window and door. Considering legal action.

You might want to find it and read it.

What a bummer! I've watched that thread, just haven't gotten to it yet. Still playing catch-up!

I learned something interesting when we had our new vinyl windows put in - Oregon does not require contractors to put a completion date on the contract.

It can be added if a homeowner and contractor agree, but it's not a "must".

I had assumed that a completion date must be added, because Oregon landscape contractors are required by law to add a completion date, or if not, write a statement stating the omission.

The administrator for the Oregon builders board told me that the Oregon landscape board has better contract requirements than the construction contractors board does.

Now I make sure to request completion dates on our building contractor projects.

We did not have any major issues occur, but we want to prevent other problems. We had a slight delay on the roof, but only a day. And with the windows, there was a 3 day delay that trapped-in our business equipment with the stockpile of windows and doors - that was not supposed to happen and the company did not contact us regarding the changes.

I had a motor home built many years ago. I liked the work that this fellow did but sensed that he might be an alcoholic. I put an expiration date in the contract. He wanted a down payment and I offered to put the money in an escrow account. He didn't bother. Sure enough the motorhome was completed after the expiration on the contract. I got a call from the local Dodge dealer (they had gotten the contract in exchange for the van) telling me that the motor home was ready to be picked up. When I got there and wanted to look it over I was told to just hand over the money that they had my contract. I inquired if they had read the contract and they started getting nervous. After they were aware that their piece of paper was worthless the tune changed. There were a number of things that I was unhappy with and they were all fixed.

That date sure saved me.

Wow, good thinking on the completion date; that worked out especially well for you, George.

Our roof is done, but the job certainly isn't. They subbed it out and the crew was 2 hours late starting Tuesday, then got here bright and early today and woke us with some *really* foul language and graphic sexual descriptions right outside our window. They also did not run a magnet around as we'd had in writing (not even once, and the contract said twice around). They left other stuff around, too, though they did pick up the big stuff and sweep some. The gutter crew is supposed to come out shortly after the roofing crew, so maybe THEY will do the magnet and cleanup? We'll be calling the roofing company, at any rate.

We signed on a contract for windows today, going with Rosati Windows. http://rosati.com We've heard nothing but good things from people about them, even unsolicited from folks who know we're looking. They've been in business for over two decades and have a great reputation for service after the sale; we like the fact that they not only install them, but install their own products and back the whole shebang. They've had a lot of orders since their open house a couple weeks ago, and we're looking at 6-8 weeks before they'll be completed and ready to go (this is partly due to the surge in business and partly due to the woodgrain laminate we're having done on the interiors).

Here's a before and during on the roof/gutter job. All that's left is gutters.

We stuck a couple new windows in our living room this morning. Only took 2 hours.
Bernie

Well, even without Howie's back being bad, we don't have the skill to do that kind of thing. Plus, we tend to not do big projects very well together, LOL! Oh, and tools? Nope, would have to borrow or buy them. Warranty on workmanship...Not with us there wouldn't be! Some things we just have to hire out done. Wish ya lived closer, Bernie. ;)

The only advice I can share is in regards to the fencing. We drove around and looked around our neighborhood. We noticed the yards w/ new fencing had the company name on a plaque so we took notice of their fence, style & which company put it up. We noticed a big difference between the two companies fences whom we looked at. One company stood out to us so we visited their showroom. Our neighbors across the street had just had their fence put up by the other company so I observed the way they worked. Our next door neighbors were also in the market for a fence so they told us all the specs on the other neighbors fence. The company we chose came highly recommended by my DH coworker and we liked their fencing material better even if it was a bit more expensive. Our neighbors went with the other company cause it was cheaper than ours but they have to treat their fence every three years and only have a 10 yr. warranty. We got the better wood and don't have to treat ours & have a 25 yr. warranty. Only time will tell I guess if either of us regret our decision but for now, we are very pleased.

On another note, I was home alone w/ the three kids when the men came to install the fence. I saw them marking the area and marking where each post would be dug up. They did come to the door several times to double check where we wanted the gates. Our property has different angles and I assumed they knew what they were doing so I didn't say anything. After the posts were dug & cemented they left and were to return two days later. After they left, I finally had a chance to get out there and look at their work. It was then I noticed that on one side of the fence they measured incorrectly. Instead of looking for our property marker they based it by the corner of the neighbors fence line that lives right behind us. So the our fence line ended up being about 3 feet farther in than it was suppose to be. If I were you, supervise them as they work. Don't assume they are the experts & should know what they are doing....I wish I shouldv'e. I called DH at work and told him what had happened but he said to leave it alone. It was too late since they already had poored the cement & was after work ours. Hope this helps any,
Gemila

Yes, that does help. I'm hoping to get a part-time job for a while this winter and earn some money for a fence. We decided to re-do the kitchen instead of getting a fence right now.

Hey, we sold our metal cabinets today! We let them go for $300, but he's going to take them out himself, saving us our contractor's labor of $200, so we're really sold them for $500. Similar sets have gone on eBay for $250 and more, but we'd have been stuck with seller's fees and all the hassles. We're happy, got the cash already and he's taking them out Friday. Woo! That paid for our microwave and our paint supplies!

GW, In Lowe's today, I saw the most recent issue of Fine Homebuilding had a cover story on choosing replacement windows. A little late but it seems you have it in hand.

Maybe it will help other folks.

I put the new windows in the office today. I'm using Wenco vinyl windows for new construction. I can get by with this because the whole house is getting new siding & also new sheetrock & ceilings on the inside. I thought the old windows were a little tall for this room, so I went to the next size shorter. These windows are very affordable & easy to maintain. They are single hung, meaning only the bottom glass opens. The bottom glass tips in for cleaning the outside. These also have low-E glass & keep clean glass on outside. Not sure how that works. Just the new windows will save fuel! The old ones had holes in them & also the weights on the sides to help them open. All that is, is a big uninsulated space for cold to come in! I am also insulating everything as I go, so that should help with saving fuel also! I wish everybody the best with their projects.
Bernie

Low-E coating, from what the window salesman told us, is like mirror silver, but only molecules thick so it is invisible to the eye. Here's info about it from http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/glossary.htm :

Roofing update: http://davesgarden.com/j/viewentry/48734/
Grrrr. Roofers' comments welcome - e-mail me!

Kitchen update: http://davesgarden.com/journal/j/viewentry/48723/

Boy, I haven't been paying very close attention to this roofing thing. Looks like a very sloopy job to me. The big clue is the very last picture in your journal, the one with the vents, the last part shows the edge of the roof. The little piece of shingle between the edge of the roof & the rain line will come off after a while.
If they new what they were doing the rain lines should be the same distance from the roof edge on both ends of the roof, then never under a 6 inch tab at the end. Also in one picture it looks like two rain lines are in the same place. It's in a picture to the right of a vent.
I should move to Ohio, I could make a fortune by doing things right! Looks like nobody cares out there!
Make sure you get all things fixed before that final payment.
They probably would be redoing it if it was my house!
Bernie

I thought the cut tabs were really close cut on the edges, too, Bernie. I'm glad you said something. I'm also really glad I documented and posted photos. I want Able to know we're watching, and we're getting feedback about the work.

Okay, here's my 2¢ worth.

Roofers have NO control over substrate, except maybe to tell you that a lot of it is uneven. Dips commonly occur with less that adequate ventilation over many years that affects the rafters ... or sometimes dips are the result of less than adequate framimg members. Not the Roofers problem, as a rule, except notification as a courtesy.

I didn't see a new ridgeline vent which should have been included even if there was some venting already installed in the eaves and gable ends. Standard procedure for a good roofer.

The work on the valleys is pitiful, same with overhang. I didn't notice any new drip edge either, maybe my oversight in looking, but should have been included if it's not there.

I will look more closely if you wish.

I have many more photos. I can post them in a thread or in my journal. I was thinking the journal would be better, because non-subscribers can view them, too.

Great Kimberley,

I'm dying to see what your house looks like ;-)


Noseymoor

You guys are lifesavers. I've created a new journal item with just roof photos, none of my moaning and groaning, LOL. http://davesgarden.com/j/viewentry/50156/ I'm adding photos in just a moment.

Are you and Howie lying there sunning yourselves ;-)

Slurpmoor

It'd be more like gagmoor, Barry! Actually, I've made a photo gallery at my own website for now. It is much quicker than uploading individual photos to my journal at DG, plus it's quicker to page through them there. http://gardenwife.com/roof/ will get ya there.

Nice ... er , .. roof Kim ;-)

Thank goodness the lads were finished before those red arrows penetrated the surface, thus rendering all weather protection useless.

Well done those lads, I say, what?? ... You got a few spicy photos of their bottoms though didn't you ;-) ... not trying to cause any trouble or anything, you know but ... er ... ahem!!


Mixitmoor ;-)

Wintermoor, you have been in fine fettle all evening, changing your name often on a variety of posts, LOL.

GW, I wish you had asked me about roofing and not just windows before the fact.

Roaring!!! Yes, those red arrows are terrible! Wish I'd shot 'em before the lads left, however. I do have a talent for capturing workmen doing their jobs -- got some of the tree guys this year, too. No posteriors, though. At least these roofers didn't have plumber's butt happening. ::igggggg....thump::

Check out the feedback one person left on a thread I began at the craigslist.com site:

Darius, just saw your post. Me, too. This stinks.

Deleted. Someone hacked my account??

This message was edited Aug 15, 2005 4:21 PM

I don't understand.

Who posted the above?? I did NOT post that.

Hmmm, wonder HOW that happened, Kimberly?

It must have been posted under my name by mistake by an admin, that's all I can think. The post was e-mails going between an admin and an individual contractor (not ours) who complained about being called out by name by a poster here in this thread. I've e-mailed the admins.

This message was edited Aug 15, 2005 4:36 PM

Ahhh, I get it - thanks :)

Quite a shock to see a thread come up with a post I never made. I changed my password, just to be safe. My heart's still thumping up in my throat!

Wow, I wondered how you were involved in that GardenWife.

It will probably be deleted shortly. I am the original poster and that was my contractor and we just spent 40 minutes on the phone. :) it was obviosly posted on accident and their are no accidents and I'm glad since now I have some resolution. :)

Susan McCoy

How'd she see your post? Is she a subscriber?

I'm sure she goggled her name and business and it came up. Dave's is really great that way for coming up on searches :) That's how i personally found Dave's. I kept searching for info on plants and kept getting Dave's.

Susan

Searches are not supposed to reveal more than the first post in every thread, though...The only exceptions are the Plant Files Photos Forum, Dave's Garden Forum and the Voting Booth Forum, I believe.