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January 31, 2006
Getting Started with the Stone Fireplace.
The stone moved to the backyard.
After the tile guy got the stone into the backyard, we showed him the picture of what we wanted. We made several copies to tack on the wall and put with the plans. Made a couple extra for whoever would need to see them.
This is what we want. We showed this to the contractor and the foreman before we signed the contract and the foreman was with us when we bought this rock with this picture in our hand.
We leave them alone for the day. I had not been around for most of the day. I came back just as they were leaving.
I asked "How's it going?"
"Good. We have almost finished laying out the stone. We can start putting on the wall tomorrow maybe next day."
Wow. I thought. That was fast. They take off and I go in to take a look. This is what I saw.
It was like they didn't hear a word we said. They obviously didn't get it at all. Also, it looked like they were picking up the first stone they saw and fit it in somehow. Without looking at each individual piece. They will be able to do that with the tile, but not with this stone.
I am worried.
And look at what they do to the windows before they left! They screwed a screw into it to keep it shut! I am dumbfounded!! These are friction hinges! There is no reason for that. These windows need to get sent back and fixed and they are destroying them. I think they did it so that their equipment would not get stolen. Unfortunately, a theif would simply rip out the screw and really damage the window frame. Ughhh.
Posted by dana at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2006
A Letter of Apology/Explanation
The foreman comes by and we talk about the windows. He says he got a letter saying that everything is the distributors fault. He is eager to show it to me. We go to my computer and he gets this document from his hotmail account. It is a MS Word (with company letterhead) attachment on an email from the Salesperson, so it seems kind of real. I saved it to my computer.
Here it is.
To: [Contractor's DBA]Dear Mr. [Contractor,
In regards to the order on [our address] when we originally quoted the job in late june2005 all windows and doors were specked out as dual glazed with low-e glass. Unfortunately when the order was placed in September windows and doors were ordered as dual glazed clear glass. I do take full responsibility for the error and will take the necessary steps in order to solve this problem.
In regards to the error on the sizes of two of the double casements there was a typing error from JT Windows that I did not catch. I do apologize for these delays. Hopefully this will not create any problems with your client.
P.S. JT windows will stand by there product on any reglazing and the full warranty applies.
Thank you,
[Salesperson]
Posted by dana at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
The Other 5 ft Windows Come in Today.
They install them even though they will need to come back out again. not sure why they did that. Didn't even ask.
And after I asked them not to screw holes in them, they screw a piece of wood so the windows cannot open. What do you do?
Posted by dana at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2006
The last bathroom prep entry for a while
They are done with the cement for the bathrooms for now. They decided against doing the master floor since it looks like it is not going to be closed up for a while now due to the window situation.
Hall bath floor
Posted by dana at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2006
Fireplace Stone Prep
The put up the backing for the stone on the fireplace. Tarpaper first and then the ceramic tile backer.
Posted by dana at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
Yet more bath prep
This is a lot of work! Every layer has to dry before the new one is applied.
Despite finding out the tile guy did not do the stone on the house we were sent to, he seems like a nice guy and works hard. They are here all day. So I guess we'll cut him some slack. It wasn't his fault the foreman sent us on the wild goose chase.
Master Shower.
Master shower looking good.
Clean lines
Prepping the floor.
Master Floor.
The corner in the master shower needs a little touch up.
Posted by dana at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2006
More bathroom prep
Here are more pix of the bathroom prep.
Hall shower soap niche
Hall shower.
Master Shower
Master shower opposite side.
Hall shower.
Hall shower. The port hole will go between the 2x4s on the left. The tub will go to the left of the shower. you can see the rough plumbing for the faucets.
This is the cement they use. The mix is with water.
A pile of it taken out of the bags.
Master shower.
More master.
Posted by dana at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
Fireplace Niches
The framing for the niches is done.
The three niches will be 1 foot by 2 feet.
A straight on view.
The three niches are on the left, and the bookshelf is on the right. They will both be stained birch.
Posted by dana at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
Bathroom Tile Prep
Meanwhile the Tile/Stone guy is prepping the bathrooms for the tile. He is putting cement up which is what the tile will go on.
The tar paper on the bench in the master shower.
First goes the tar paper and then the mesh which will hold the first layer of cement.
The mesh is tight. This is better mesh than traditional chicken wire, which is still used. This is the master niche being cut out.
This is the first layer of cement in the master bath. It is given a rough surface so it can hold the second layer.
The wheelbarrow where they mix the cement.
This is a temporary support in the laundry rooom for the soap niche in the master shower.
Hall bath niche
Posted by dana at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)
Stone Guy Story
Last week we asked the foreman for some sites where we could look at some of the stone guy's work. He gave us an address of a house in Encino.
On Sunday we go check it out. The house is a McMansion, but the stone work is not bad. Not the style we are looking for, but it looks like care was put into it. So we are satisfied that we will be able to work with the stone guy: after all this was a much bigger project than ours.
The stone was delivered yesterday while the tile guy is doing prep work for the bathrooms and the showers (next entry). Doesn't seem like enough, and it looks like it might be all utah blonde. Half is supposed to be Moonstone. We will have to check.
Vendida means "It Sold"
I am in the office working and the foreman calls me on my cell.
"Hi Dana. Let me speak to the tile guy."
I take the phone over to him and they speak.
I find out the foreman wants the tile guy to move the stone into the back yard. Why should he do that? It's heavy and he is the tile guy not the stone guy.
So I ask, "Why does he want you to move the stone."
"Because I am doing the stone."
Oh.
"We went by the house on Woodley yesterday. Good work."
Blank. "Woodley?"
"The house on woodley? Big fireplace? You did that, right?"
"No, Sir."
What?
I call the foreman. "What's up with the tile guy also doing the stone, and not having done the house on Woodley?" I am kind of in disbelief. We had made it abundantly clear from way back that we wanted a tile specialist and a stone specialist to do each. I even asked the question, "are they different people?" "Yes" was the answer.
Can I go one day without wondering what these guys are up to?
"Let me speak to him."
"But what is up with it?"
"LET ME SPEAK TO HIM." he yelled. I touched a nerve. Is this the caged animal the contractor mentioned?
The foremen proceeds to scream at the tile guy -- I could hear it coming out of the phone. Tile guy (stone guy too?) was visibly shaken. Stuttering, explaining.
Why is he yelling at tile guy? Oh, right, because tile guy got him caught in a BIG FAT DECEPTION!!!
Tile guy gives me back the phone and I go to talk but foreman has hung up. I go back to the office.
It is only 3 in the afternoon, but I could really use a drink. A big drink.
I go to Carter Hardware to pick up our shower drains and chromed disks to find them incomplete and marred. Finish it, do it over.
I go for a swim and swim faster than I have in months.
After the swim, I get a call from the architect. He had spoken to the contractor about the windows and then the contractor tells him he is mad that I preempted or compromised the tile guy.
Don't lie to me and there won't be anything to worry about.
Posted by dana at 01:56 PM | Comments (0)
The Low E Situation.
I called the architect and told him about the low-e thing. He emailed the contractor copying me.
Dana called [Window Company] this morning to make sure that the windows have the low-e coating that we specified on the window schedule. They do not. It is inexcusable that this window order has had so many problems, and this needs to be remedied ASAP. Dana should be included on any communication between you & [Window Company] so that he has peace of mind that the low-e coating is actually there. He had been told numerous times that these windows have the coating but that information was false.
This is the email the architect sent everyone regarding their subsequent phone conversation:
Per my phone conversation with [contractor], he’s finding out this afternoon what options we have for getting low-e glass & whether it’s done on the site or not. Dana, [contractor] has said he will include you in on all communication about this matter. [contractor] has accepted all responsibility for the mistake & knows that it is VERY important that this is taken care of quickly.
Posted by dana at 01:31 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2006
The Correct Ceiling Fans Went In
The first ones did not have a heater as specified on the plans, so they had to get correct ones and have them installed. Do it right or do it twice. Seems like they are doing that a lot these days. Because of the heater element, they put each fan on its own circuit in the sub panel.
Posted by dana at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
Window Fiasco Gets Even More Fiasco-er
I just called JT and found out the windows were not even ordered or made with Low-E glass like we spec'd, but with clear glass. I feel like I just got punched in the stomach. I noticed on the stickers, they said dual clear, but thought maybe that meant not tinted or something. This is just astonishing and outrageous!
I specifically asked the foreman last week and again on Saturday if the glass was low-e and he said yes.
I don't know what this means yet, but it may get quiet around here if all these windows need to get remade.
Posted by dana at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2006
Slider Surprise
So I thought I at least knew how the sliders were going to be installed. In recent days, I had been asking him to get the kit on site, so we could check it and make sure all the parts were here. He shows me the hardware and it is not what I expected. It is rollers that will bear the weight of the door. They are in a box labelled "World class hinges" which is not what these things are so I can't even do research on them.
I thought we were going to hang the doors from rollers as we discussed when we planned out the window order in July. We had settled on top hanging Henderson Hardware Kit number 290. It is for straight sliding wood doors up to 300-400 lbs. But the foreman had another idea: he was going to put the rollers on the bottom and have the door roll on tracks. We didn't want this. And this is yet another disconnect and unexpected surprise. I actually lose my temper at him in front of the architect. he says he doesn't remember agreeing to the top hanging doors.
"We were sitting outside with the contractor and we picked out the system down to the number!"
He explained that the hanging system would not work for weather proofing the exterior doors. The hanging system was for interior doors. The architect agreed with him. It's just that this is another surprise in a time when I don't need any surprises. We are going with the bottom rollers. I am reluctant about it because I want to minimize the tracks on the floor. It should be comfortable to walk on them barefoot.
The architect and the foreman figured out a way (I think) for the tracks to be sunken enough to walk on, but not enough so that dirt and water will get caught in the ruts. We will see.
Posted by dana at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2006
The Master Bath Window Has to Go Back
Upon closer examination, the master bath window is not only chunkier than we envisioned, it doesn't line up with the doors in some critical ways. So back it goes, and who knows how long this will delay things.
But the foreman did agree with us, that if we noticed it now, it would bother us forever. He must agree that the window company made a mistake because he did not try to talk us into keeping it.
Here is a slider and a master bath window next to each other. With the top mullions lined up, the bottom mullions do not, and the bottom of the bottom panes do not. They are supposed to for a continuum accross the back of the house. Sigh.
Posted by dana at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
Master Bath Window Shows Up
Getting a little closer in the window department. The reason this wondow took so long is when it was first made, the bottom two panes were one piece of glass. This mistake was made by the manufacturer.
It looks a little boxier and chunkier than we thought it would. We envisioned it looking more like the sliding doors, but the panes are smaller, a lot smaller. It also has screen on it, which we thought we weren't getting. Hmmm... I guess that's good.
Posted by dana at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
Two Windows Get Installed
It's a start. They put in the two 5 ft windows we have today. They look good! Although I wish they would prime them before installation. I ask them to and they shrug saying it doesn't matter. I point out that there is a sticker with a big "IMPORTANT! Seal these windows as soon as you can!"
Posted by dana at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2006
The Ceiling Heater Fans Went in.
They went in today. Now we can have our first inspection.
Posted by dana at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2006
Kiss Up Email
The contractor sends me an email yesterday morning:
Sorry for the problems on the windows. We will fix them as fast as we can. [foreman] has the fans and will install them. He said that you wanted them installed before inspection.We will call for the inspection next week.
I had a thought to remind you to tell [stereo installer] to leave us whatever wires we will need for phase 2 in the attic.
I will be at the hospital for some exams today, I am not sure if I get cell service but if need be leave me a message.
Thanks for your understanding,
[contractor]
I don't remember telling him I understood anything in yesterdays phone call.
And this disingenuous "We will fix them as fast as we can ... " is just more of the same. I already know there is nothing anyone can do to make these windows come in any faster. The order was placed three months later than originally promised. It was placed incorrectly – probably because there were three months to get foggy on the details. The new order with the correct windows was a normal order, not a rush order. So we are just sitting here waiting for the windows. And so is he. And a bunch of lip service isn’t going to change anything.
What really bothers me about this is that no one is paying for this mistake really except for us. In dollars and days. Well, I guess they are paying a little since they have to eat the incorrectly ordered windows.
I tell our architect this story. While this sucks, he says, there isn’t much you can do about it. I know, I agree. It’s just demoralizing, depressing that the contractor would be doing this on the day we sign the contract – on the day we are demonstrating complete trust, by signing a handing over a big 5-digit check. He also thinks that despite this, things are moving a long better than he was thinking they were before Christmas. He is impressed that the electrical has been almost completed and we are nearing the first city inspection. Our architect also thinks that if we can get the 4 ft windows for free, we can use them in phase two on the backside of the new bedroom. All I know is that we are not starting phase two until the correct windows are in the garage ready to go.
Later yesterday afternoon, the foreman comes by with the new bathroom ceiling heater fans some light fixtures. There was nothing in his demeanor to indicate that there had been any conversation with the contractor. If I were the contractor and a sub did that to me, I would be all over him in a second. Of course I am making an assumption here, but it looks like the contractor knew when the check was cut for the windows. October 19, 2005.
Posted by dana at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
Lie Detector Test, Please
I call again about the windows. The salesman’s boss calls me back and during the conversation, I find out some interesting news:
Apparently, the foreman is paying for the new 5 ft windows himself because he made the mistake.
The 4 ft. windows were not a part of another order; they were placed with the original order.
And here is the kicker. According to the Stock headman, the order was put into the computer on October 19th. We wrote the $9000 deposit check for the windows in late July when we signed the original contract. Were they sitting on the money for three months?
I decided to call JT windows to ask them when the order was placed. It was placed on October 26. Which confirms it. Somebody other than us was sitting on $9000 for three months.
Now you remember that we signed the contract with the contractor and then there is the foreman who is running the show.
I call the contractor. I ask him if he knew the window order was not placed until October 19, and 26? He says no. As far as he knew, the order was placed immediately. He tells me he turned over that money to the foreman right away. I tell him it really bothers me that we paid for the windows 3 months before the order was placed. He agreed.
I asked him if he knew that the foreman was buying the two other 5 ft windows himself? He said no.
He then explains to me the nature of their relationship. He takes care of the insurance and all the business things, and the foreman is technically his sub contractor. So they are not boss and employee, and they are not partners.
He seemed very willing to place blame on the foreman. I told him not to do that, I don’t care who had the money for three months. If it weren’t us, why would we care which one of them it is? As far as our relationship goes, they are a single unit. If one screws up, they both screw up.
But this is a less than ideal situation. The whole contract is with someone who is not doing any of the work.
In an effort to wrap up, contractor tells me he is meeting with the foreman and the window guy tomorrow and he will find out all he can and let me know.
Very frustrated. "I already know what is going on. And I didn't get the information from you. I got it from getting on the phone and playing detective. Let me tell you the status of the windows. The master bath window will be ready on Friday and the frames for the 5ft windows are made, but they are waiting for glass and there is no e.t.a. on the glass." Then he said that was what he knew too.
Palm to forehead.
I also take this opportunity to point out that after what I thought was a productive meeting on Saturday, nothing has happened for 3 days. There is a lot that can be done without the windows. For instance:
The roof can be finished.
The dining room hole can be patched.
The garage door can be fabricated.
The electrical can be finished for inspection.
The mesh for the bathroom tiles can be put in.
The foreman calls me and gives me a cockamamie story about the windows. Saying how mad he is at the window distributor. I just say uh huh. The contractor asked me not to talk about this with the foreman, as he thinks he couldn’t handle it. Likened it to an animal being backed into a corner. I wonder if it is because he was shifting blame for the October order date and doesn’t want me to find out that he was in fact sitting on the money for three months. He did have his honeymoon during that time, ya know.
Posted by dana at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2006
Lighting Miscommunication
The architect sends over the lighting schedule and they have already put in the rough for a different kind of light. The plans state that the lighting is supposed to be approved by the architect, so now we have lighting in that is not what the architect and his lighting consultant came up with.
This whole time, the architect thought they were just putting in the tracks, and he was rushing to get this schedule done on time.
He had chosen Iris down lights and wall washers. Meanwhile, the foreman put in Liton casings. The whole time this was going on and I was micromanaging the placement of these things, I didn't understand the incompatibility issue. I thought whatever the architect picked out, would fit in these boxes, so I never brought it up.
The architect called the contractor and contractor said that if they needed to be replaced, they would be. Fortunately, Jeff went thru the Liton catalog and found a suitable replacement. The lights installed are good lights, and use the same MR-16lamps, and he found a trim that is comparable to what he spec'd.
While this is not a disaster like the windows, it is still annoying that they are not following the plans. We have very detailed plans. They just need to be followed.
Posted by dana at 05:43 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2006
Sub Panel Gets Hooked Up
The sub panel gets attached to the main panel. It is done in kind of a temporary way, but that is okay since the main panel will be moved in phase two. It is in the back of the office add-on which will be demolished in phase two.
The Sub-panel in the laundry room.
The new conduit is the one that goes up through the roof.
From there it goes along the top of the office roof and into the attic.
Posted by dana at 01:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
The Storm Hits
Sure enough, the big honkin' storm came. The roof didn't leak, but we had to do some last minute protection of the hall bath window that was installed without being primed.
We also tried to protect the plywood base of the Living Room opening. With limited success.
Posted by dana at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2006
No Activity Days for December
These were the days with no activity in December:
December 1,2,3,5,6,12,24,26
For November:
November 5,7,8,10,12,17,18,19,21,25,26,28,29,30
For October:
October 1,5,6,19,22,24,25,29
For September:
September 8,9,10,12,15,16,19,20,26
For August:
August 29,30
Job started August 22
Better this month than in November.
Posted by dana at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)