Don't you just love an oxymoron like my title? Well that certainly describes destruction-oops construction which actually does require destruction. Case in point. Chimney guy finally calls after fire lit under his rear by our roofing guy. I have learned, I make frequent "so what's our progress" calls. Chimney guy takes a look, crawls inside, outside, under, over and through and decides to tear down the entire chimney and build it back up!
Humorous side story. I get home the first night and wander outside to see the scaffold set up and the brand new chimney that the B-man is eager to point out. Apparently it was a family affair as chimney guy's two kids and wife show up late in the day to "watch the show". Apparently they supply words of encouragement, applause and collect any checks that get distributed. (No, really they were a nice young family). Anyway the word is out that they are working on a MIOSHA house. He asks Burt the next day when he comes to finish up if I saw the job and the scaffold. B, always cool, says yes. Dying, he asks well did she say anything? B says yes, she had a few comments. The chimney guy berates himself, "oh yeah I should have done thus and so". See they KNOW what they are supposed to do, they just don't always do it. Anyway nobody died, nothing collapsed and we have a beautiful new chimney.
2nd case. Concrete guy shows up, spends 10 minutes and writes up a quote, complaining about the price of concrete, small load, comments about his wife and her landscaping issues, etc., etc. Otherwise he seemed competent if a little hectic. Not feeling it, listening to other interested parties and checking Angie's list, I call concrete guy #2 because I would like to see if this quote makes sense. We're not talking the Taj Mahal here. Note: chimney guy had recommended a concrete guy who, you guessed it, never responded to my phone call.
Anyway, Concrete guy #2 comes out same night fresh from a job in Saginaw, and I do mean fresh and dripping, but he didn't come in the house so no prob. He's a little talkative (what is it about these concrete guys?) and offers all kinds of different ideas and ways we can go rather than one. I've learned so I tell him I have another quote, but no you don't get to know what it is. He comes out again, after a job in E. Lansing and digs around the porch to see what is under there(wow good idea, also he didn't believe Burt when he told him what was under the porch). Then he leans on his shovel and kind of chit chats.
Meanwhile, concrete guy #1 thinks he has the job so he places a sign in front, I swear, between the time I went to exercise at 5:15 am and 6:00 am. Then he calls the B-man & says he's ready to tear out the porch 'cause they have an open day. Ahh we have not signed any contracts, no handshakes made and we had said we weren't ready as we were coordinating roof, siding etc, etc. Burt says no so concrete guy wants to talk to me. I get call at work-great. Tell the dude, no not ready to tie the knot on this one, will let you know.
Concrete guy #2 comes out 3rd time, gives me worse case scenario cost as asked and it's lower than #1 and he is throwing in taking out the shrubbery. More chit chat and we say let's do it, but no money until someone actually shows up! Told you I've learned a few things. Bottom line, I hide concrete guy #1's sign and concrete guy #2 rips out the porch the next day so siding guys know where their pieces end & porch begins (not explained by concrete guy #1). I get home to the controlled chaos listed above and the B-man is out there in ripped jeans and work shirt rolling out caution tape and generally running, and enjoying, the operation. Boys do like destruction and neat toys like bobcats and concrete busters.
Anyway, roofing scheduled for this week-notwithstanding the monsoon expected Monday, so we shall all cross our proverbial fingers!
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