Comments on: Remodeling a Home, part one: Little Surprises http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:18:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: 7 Essential Skills to Protect Yourself from Scammers ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-83608 7 Essential Skills to Protect Yourself from Scammers ? Get Rich Slowly Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:01:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-83608 [...] Seek recommendations from people you trust. Referrals increase the odds of finding a quality professional. There’s rarely a need to flip blindly through the yellow pages (or google) to find a mortgage broker or a roofing contractor. Ask your friends, your family, your co-workers. Kris and I seek recommendations whenever we make big money decisions; we’re rarely disappointed. (With one notable exception.) [...]

[...] Seek recommendations from people you trust. Referrals increase the odds of finding a quality professional. There’s rarely a need to flip blindly through the yellow pages (or google) to find a mortgage broker or a roofing contractor. Ask your friends, your family, your co-workers. Kris and I seek recommendations whenever we make big money decisions; we’re rarely disappointed. (With one notable exception.) [...]

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]]> By: Shannon http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-22227 Shannon Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:35:42 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-22227 I don't really see where everything went that horribly. The holes in the wainscoting was a mistake - they patched them. Someone fell through the ceiling - instead of suing you they pay for the drywaller to fix it (out of their fee). You got a discount when they didn't look at you and say it would cost extra to fix those things, or that the issues weren't their problem. It's unfortunate they were late getting you the cost estimate, but there isn't a part of the construction industry isn't Swamped right now. Small companies especially, where there's one guy doing all of the office stuff and driving to the jobsites every day to make sure homeowners are happy with the work (not an industry standard), get Swamped quickly. I'm in commercial construction, and what they did was better customer service than we get with million dollar contracts. I don't think these guys deserve the "nightmare" tag you've given them. I don’t really see where everything went that horribly. The holes in the wainscoting was a mistake – they patched them. Someone fell through the ceiling – instead of suing you they pay for the drywaller to fix it (out of their fee).

You got a discount when they didn’t look at you and say it would cost extra to fix those things, or that the issues weren’t their problem.

It’s unfortunate they were late getting you the cost estimate, but there isn’t a part of the construction industry isn’t Swamped right now. Small companies especially, where there’s one guy doing all of the office stuff and driving to the jobsites every day to make sure homeowners are happy with the work (not an industry standard), get Swamped quickly.

I’m in commercial construction, and what they did was better customer service than we get with million dollar contracts. I don’t think these guys deserve the “nightmare” tag you’ve given them.

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]]> By: Get Rich Slowly » Remodeling a Home, part two: A Leak in the Attic http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-14157 Get Rich Slowly » Remodeling a Home, part two: A Leak in the Attic Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:39:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-14157 [...] This is the second in a series describing our adventures remodeling a one-hundred-year-old home. Last week I shared our experiences with a nightmare insulation contractor. This week, we learn that the damage was worse than we had thought. [...]

[...] This is the second in a series describing our adventures remodeling a one-hundred-year-old home. Last week I shared our experiences with a nightmare insulation contractor. This week, we learn that the damage was worse than we had thought. [...]

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]]> By: Jeremy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12968 Jeremy Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:42:11 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12968 Which guy has the nice a$$ prlinkbiz? Which guy has the nice a$$ prlinkbiz?

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]]> By: Amy Jo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12966 Amy Jo Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:33:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12966 We've had similar problems, although not as costly, with our beautiful old house. The folks who remodeled it (all major work was permitted) and sold it to us (he is a contractor and she is a realtor) really took some serious shortcuts. Some have been minor and more irratating than anything(like not using sinks for anything they put into the walls and ceilings--like the shower inclosure for our clawfoot tub), but others have been more serious. Take the story of our leaking chimney and broken-down furnace last winter. After having one chimney company try to convince us that we needed to rebuild the whole chimney we later learned from another, more reputable chimeny repair company that the idiot(s) who installed the chimeny liner when they installed the new (and cheap-ass) furnace, failed to caulk around the liner. Thus, water made its way between the liner and the chimney into the heart of our furnace. This, of course, spelled trouble. Since we don't go down to the basement on a daily basis it took us a while to realize this was happening, enough time for the water to cause some serious rust and short out some critical pieces of the nearly new, cheap-ass furnace. Thus, what would have taken five minutes and a tube or two of caulk ened up costing us over $700 to repair. Grumble. We’ve had similar problems, although not as costly, with our beautiful old house. The folks who remodeled it (all major work was permitted) and sold it to us (he is a contractor and she is a realtor) really took some serious shortcuts. Some have been minor and more irratating than anything(like not using sinks for anything they put into the walls and ceilings–like the shower inclosure for our clawfoot tub), but others have been more serious. Take the story of our leaking chimney and broken-down furnace last winter. After having one chimney company try to convince us that we needed to rebuild the whole chimney we later learned from another, more reputable chimeny repair company that the idiot(s) who installed the chimeny liner when they installed the new (and cheap-ass) furnace, failed to caulk around the liner. Thus, water made its way between the liner and the chimney into the heart of our furnace. This, of course, spelled trouble. Since we don’t go down to the basement on a daily basis it took us a while to realize this was happening, enough time for the water to cause some serious rust and short out some critical pieces of the nearly new, cheap-ass furnace. Thus, what would have taken five minutes and a tube or two of caulk ened up costing us over $700 to repair. Grumble.

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]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12950 J.D. Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:14:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12950 Yeah -- we learned our lesson from that contractor. Although, he came highly recommended, and when we checked his references *after* the fact, they were all excellent. I think it's just one of those cases where you get the fuzzy end of the lollipop. As you know, I own a small business. We do excellent work, and we know it. But sometimes -- like once or twice a year -- there's one customer for whom everything goes wrong: we make a mistake on the quote, we make the wrong boxes, we screw up the deliver, everything all at once. It's not that we're a bad company, it's just that bad stuff happens. I wonder if that's not what happened in the case of this contractor. The difference between us and the contractor, though, is that we admit when we've made a mistake and we do what we can to remedy the situation as soon as possible. Yeah — we learned our lesson from that contractor. Although, he came highly recommended, and when we checked his references *after* the fact, they were all excellent. I think it’s just one of those cases where you get the fuzzy end of the lollipop. As you know, I own a small business. We do excellent work, and we know it. But sometimes — like once or twice a year — there’s one customer for whom everything goes wrong: we make a mistake on the quote, we make the wrong boxes, we screw up the deliver, everything all at once. It’s not that we’re a bad company, it’s just that bad stuff happens. I wonder if that’s not what happened in the case of this contractor. The difference between us and the contractor, though, is that we admit when we’ve made a mistake and we do what we can to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

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]]> By: prlinkbiz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12949 prlinkbiz Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:57:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12949 I will say the one guy in the pic has a nice a$$... I will say the one guy in the pic has a nice a$$…

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]]> By: prlinkbiz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12948 prlinkbiz Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:57:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12948 I cannot read contractor or remodeling horror stories. I have seen too many. There are always two responsible parties- the contractor and the home owner- it works both ways. Thats why I started my first business-it was a sort of contractor referral service, where the due diligence, background checks etc, referrals, were done for you, and you could then use that information to help you when hiring a contractor. The ones who are good- are very good- the ones who are bad- well... I cannot read contractor or remodeling horror stories. I have seen too many. There are always two responsible parties- the contractor and the home owner- it works both ways. Thats why I started my first business-it was a sort of contractor referral service, where the due diligence, background checks etc, referrals, were done for you, and you could then use that information to help you when hiring a contractor. The ones who are good- are very good- the ones who are bad- well…

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]]> By: Andy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12932 Andy Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:28:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12932 Wow, and I thought our 30 yr old house was bad. We at least have all drywall throughout. Wow, and I thought our 30 yr old house was bad. We at least have all drywall throughout.

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]]> By: Jonathan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12794 Jonathan Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:25:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12794 Just reading that made my blood pressure rise. All these contractor stories are going to kill my housebuying urges... Just reading that made my blood pressure rise. All these contractor stories are going to kill my housebuying urges…

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]]> By: Blue Southerner http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12772 Blue Southerner Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:30:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12772 When I saw the words "blow in insulation" I knew there would be big trouble. We had a similar problem, only on the outside of our 100+ year-old farmhouse. The estimate guy told us we would only have one hole at the top of the siding, every two feet or so around the perimeter of the house. No big deal, the 10 foot rule would be in effect (no one notices anything over 10 feet in the air). The crew put holes everywhere in our beautiful wood siding. It's really not *that* noticeable, and less so as we repaint on the house, but still. I will say one thing, though. Our house is insanely well insulated now. It's almost worth the trade off for the decrease in our utility bills. Normally these old houses leak like a sieve but ours holds its temp no matter what the weather outside. When I saw the words “blow in insulation” I knew there would be big trouble. We had a similar problem, only on the outside of our 100+ year-old farmhouse. The estimate guy told us we would only have one hole at the top of the siding, every two feet or so around the perimeter of the house. No big deal, the 10 foot rule would be in effect (no one notices anything over 10 feet in the air). The crew put holes everywhere in our beautiful wood siding. It’s really not *that* noticeable, and less so as we repaint on the house, but still.

I will say one thing, though. Our house is insanely well insulated now. It’s almost worth the trade off for the decrease in our utility bills. Normally these old houses leak like a sieve but ours holds its temp no matter what the weather outside.

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]]> By: Lance Fisher http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12755 Lance Fisher Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:25:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12755 How did this guy have a good reputation? How did this guy have a good reputation?

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]]> By: Kai Jones http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12747 Kai Jones Thu, 02 Nov 2006 23:17:30 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12747 DIY rules. A few years back a friend and I took a week off work and completely remodeled my bathroom (down to the floor boards--one of which we had to replace--and up to a new ceiling we installed). We did it all in 10 days straight through, for less than $10,000. Link (daily diary and pictures): http://snippy.livejournal.com/62446.html DIY rules. A few years back a friend and I took a week off work and completely remodeled my bathroom (down to the floor boards–one of which we had to replace–and up to a new ceiling we installed). We did it all in 10 days straight through, for less than $10,000.

Link (daily diary and pictures):
http://snippy.livejournal.com/62446.html

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]]> By: Melsky http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12740 Melsky Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:14:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12740 I'm stressed from just reading that! I’m stressed from just reading that!

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]]> By: tofu713 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12732 tofu713 Thu, 02 Nov 2006 19:38:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12732 OMG. I feel... i feel. I can't wait til the next part of the story. OMG. I feel… i feel. I can’t wait til the next part of the story.

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]]> By: al http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12722 al Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:35:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12722 Been there, done that, but I cannot believe what they did to the wainscotting! Were they really that stupid? Never mind. I know. Been there, done that, but I cannot believe what they did to the wainscotting! Were they really that stupid? Never mind. I know.

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]]> By: RSN http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12721 RSN Thu, 02 Nov 2006 18:32:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12721 Hah! I love it...My wife and I bought a 100+ year old home about 6 years ago. I feel your pain, but it's also good to hear from others that have had similar experiences. Misery loves company. Hah! I love it…My wife and I bought a 100+ year old home about 6 years ago. I feel your pain, but it’s also good to hear from others that have had similar experiences. Misery loves company.

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]]> By: Savvy Samurai http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12712 Savvy Samurai Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:59:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12712 Thanks for a good read. I want to own a home one day, but unexpected expenses like these scare me! Hopefully this story has a happy ending. Thanks for a good read. I want to own a home one day, but unexpected expenses like these scare me! Hopefully this story has a happy ending.

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]]> By: Rachel http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12709 Rachel Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:21:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12709 The words "I was wrong" and "to be continued" appearing in the same sentence have never signaled good things- yet I'm anxious to hear the rest of the contractor adventures. evariste is right, you definitely have a talent! The words “I was wrong” and “to be continued” appearing in the same sentence have never signaled good things- yet I’m anxious to hear the rest of the contractor adventures.
evariste is right, you definitely have a talent!

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]]> By: Home Remodel Nightmare « Midspot http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12708 Home Remodel Nightmare « Midspot Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:08:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12708 [...] Full Story [...]

[...] Full Story [...]

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]]> By: evariste http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12707 evariste Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:48:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12707 I can't believe how eager I am to read the rest of a story about home improvement. You have a talent! I can’t believe how eager I am to read the rest of a story about home improvement. You have a talent!

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]]> By: Flexo http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/comment-page-1/#comment-12706 Flexo Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:44:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/11/02/remodeling-a-home-part-one-little-surprises/#comment-12706 This sounds like it's an absolute nightmare. It's like a horrible trainwreck; I want to stop reading as it's so upsetting but yet I'm looking forward to the next post. This sounds like it’s an absolute nightmare. It’s like a horrible trainwreck; I want to stop reading as it’s so upsetting but yet I’m looking forward to the next post.

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