Not a lot to add since my last entry.  We’ve basically been meeting with several contractors as well as their sub’s to explore the possibilities of moving forward. I really wish that we knew our future course however some of them are all over the board when it comes to pricing.  Interesting enough, it seems that those with more experience on our type of project tend to be more reasonably priced than the others.  We shall see though.

I won’t even go through all of the various mistakes and omissions pointed out by these GC’s and subs on the “work” that has already been “completed” by our former GC.  However they all say that we were extremely fortunate to have caught these mistakes when we did and that all work has ceased – versus discovering it later in the process…or 5-10 years from now.

As you know our former GC left the site in quite a mess: pieces of discarded boards lying all around (with nails sticking up), empty drink bottles everywhere, huge pieces of concrete rubble scattered around the backyard, etc… So last week I decided enough.  First up replace the tarp that was put on the house by our former GC, which has been slightly more effective than a window screen… with the result being that we now have to replace the ceiling in a few rooms and have lost the hardwood floors in a couple of them as well.  I had no idea who to call but somebody referred Bell Roofing.  So I called late one afternoon and by 10 am the next morning our house was securely covered (tarped).  It just doesn’t make any sense why it wasn’t tarped properly in the first place by our former GC when he was still on the project?  We told him numerous times that water was getting into the house.  Plus, he’s the one that opened up the back as well as top of the house.  No doubt he would have tried to charge us for the damage, “change order” is probably how he would classify it.

Next up, the foundation slab.  Max and I spent a few hours on Saturday morning cleaning it up by removing the various pieces of discarded lumber, nails, broken pieces of concrete and trash. I know, not your typical father and son activity but it was his decision; his favorite playground, swimming or helping me clean up the site.  He loves working over there, he seriously can’t get enough of it and of course I love the one-on-one time with no outside interference or distractions.  I wish this time in his life would slow down but in reality I know that before long there will be a 1 in front of his 3 and these moments I so enjoy with him will become less often as they will eventually take a backseat to his friends and other more “cool” activities.  (At least he has a younger brother)

Next on the list; getting all of this stuff removed from our property.  If you know of a place that rents those roll-off dumpsters and has a cheap rate PLEASE let me know.