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FreeballinDC
Dumper Humper
Since AAP has shared his contractor experience, I thought I would share mine.
Aug 1, I closed on my house. The contractor was referred to me by my realtor (who still is a good friend). I checked with BBB, and they have a good record of his business on file, so I agreed to have him renovate my house.
There are several things that need to be done to make it livable, much less finished. New windows, roof, electrical system and heating and cooling system (new conduits need to be run).
In the past, he was able to get work permits from DC by submitting plans as his work progressed. DC decided to change their policy, and contractors have to submit plans upfront before any work can begin. He had no plans, so I had to find a draftsman fast in order to get the permits. Please note that I said I had to find the draftsman.
Four months later, and no significant work has been done. The new roof is on, but it is not finished. There are several places on the new roof that have to be sealed up, and as yet he has not sealed them.
He has taken out the old boiler and water heater, but that leaves the house with no heat or water, and it's been below freezing some days already here.
The windows have arrived, and he has said that he will start replacing them next week. With his current track record, I shall see. He has also said that the house will be LIVABLE, but not FINISHED in late January or early February. Again, I shall see.
The only good side to this is that he only gets paid when he finishes up a portion of the job, and the inspector for the mortgage company appoves the finished product.
My point in all this is: No matter how good the contractor supposedly is, you will still have issues. My realtor has hear my rants and has helped push the contractor to do work, but it still pisses me off that it has taken this long to have nothing significant accomplished.
Aug 1, I closed on my house. The contractor was referred to me by my realtor (who still is a good friend). I checked with BBB, and they have a good record of his business on file, so I agreed to have him renovate my house.
There are several things that need to be done to make it livable, much less finished. New windows, roof, electrical system and heating and cooling system (new conduits need to be run).
In the past, he was able to get work permits from DC by submitting plans as his work progressed. DC decided to change their policy, and contractors have to submit plans upfront before any work can begin. He had no plans, so I had to find a draftsman fast in order to get the permits. Please note that I said I had to find the draftsman.
Four months later, and no significant work has been done. The new roof is on, but it is not finished. There are several places on the new roof that have to be sealed up, and as yet he has not sealed them.
He has taken out the old boiler and water heater, but that leaves the house with no heat or water, and it's been below freezing some days already here.
The windows have arrived, and he has said that he will start replacing them next week. With his current track record, I shall see. He has also said that the house will be LIVABLE, but not FINISHED in late January or early February. Again, I shall see.
The only good side to this is that he only gets paid when he finishes up a portion of the job, and the inspector for the mortgage company appoves the finished product.
My point in all this is: No matter how good the contractor supposedly is, you will still have issues. My realtor has hear my rants and has helped push the contractor to do work, but it still pisses me off that it has taken this long to have nothing significant accomplished.
Survival of the fittest!
