What a massive headache this job has been for you. I am so sorry, CB. They are so lucky to have had you take on the job, but they clearly don’t have a clue.
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Here’s yesterday’s example. I sent an email last week laying out choices for insulation in the attic. When we first started this project they were all gung ho that they were going to do blown in insulation themselves. Well, that has not happened and it has to get done before all the nice things are in the house and get covered with dust. I gave them costs for fiberglass versus cellulose and recommended cellulose. They selected fiberglass.
The attic clear out company did not completely clear out the attic. So they called and complained a whole bunch but the company did not come back and clear it up. So my guy had to go up there for 3 hours and pull out pieces of old insulation stuck in the corners and vacuum the entire attic because there was still rat poop droppings up there.
Then we spend 2 hours going to get the insulation and the blower machine. Get it unloaded and set up and I get a frantic phone call. Did you get our text last night? “We just watched a bunch of You Tubes and we want to change to cellulose insulation” . I explained that we were already set up and ready to go. They said to take it back and get cellulose because I didn’t see the text that came in at 1:30am (after I had pre-ordered everything for pickup at 7:30am). They said it was my fault because I didn’t see the text.
So, we spent about 3 hours going in circles returning and getting new stuff and a different machine. When I told them final cost the guy went ballistic because I had said $X and now it was $Y and “they could have done it themselves”
I would be telling them good luck finishing it themselves. He sounds like a piece of work. So sorry!
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Just keep good tabs on what you have done, and save every single text. I’m hoping this unreasonable husband doesn’t decide that he should pay you less for your final payment because of HIS unrealistic expectations. And things like sending you texts in the middle of the night and changing his mind.
We were first time homeowners once, and we did everything we could to make folks who worked fr us happy…so if we needed them again, we could contact them. Guess this guy plans to do everything in the future himself…which we know means it won’t get done.
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Their demands and complaints are outrageous. What a shame you can’t walk away, for fear of damaging your relationship with the realtor partner. I have to say that even if it’s the guy who’s driving this, I would not want to do any kind of business with the woman either as she seems to lack perspective and gratitude.
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My blood pressure went up after reading the latest posts. Arrrrrgh. What a jerk. Who sends an important question by a text?! At the very least, you need to double-check that the message was received!! I’m not sure this couple will stay together for long… if he treats contractors like dirt, chances are high he will treat her like dirt.
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I’ll bet the wife was aware of all potential issues and chose not to explain to husband ahead of time because she knew he would blow up. So she just let it all happen and let you take the heat.
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Didn’t CB tell them about a lot of potential issues…since the house hadn’t been lived in for 10 years?
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Yes, but if they were desperate for a house, she might have been saying, we can do that, your brothers/ friends can do that, we’ll find a discount supplier….
cb, you’re too nice.
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Sounds like kinda bratty behaviour, or they’ve been raised in a family that is oddly proud of being demanding and asking for discounts?
My mind is blown over the unreasonable behavior and expectations of these homeowners. I’ve been told that I’m “particular” (by someone trying to be polite) and that I have “high expectations.” I own it and freely admit as much to anyone who’s hired to do work on our home. I also try to be reasonable. Never have I ever texted anyone late at night about anything job related much less a change of mind about materials. That’s rude and disrespectful. Nor can I imagine insisting on doing some of the work and then failing to follow through within the time allotted, thus creating trouble for the pros.
In your shoes, I’d copy all of the (time stamped) late night texts/emails with their complaints and include them with a list of all that they’ve failed to do on time which has had a negative effect on your ability to do the job as discussed, as part of a detailed explanation of why it’s time for you to part company.
Your agent’s partner was not forced to send those texts and emails. She chose to do so in order to appease her unreasonable boyfriend, or is using him as an excuse to avoid owning her own role in this mess.
I’d require a meeting with the woman and your agent, without the boyfriend, and come prepared with the print out of texts, emails, documented failures to perform and all the lengths to which you’ve gone to help them. Explain that builders, contractors and other professionals fire their clients for far less than what you’ve endured and it’s clear that the boyfriend will not be happy with you or your team’s work so it’s time to part ways. Your agent should be thankful to have her eyes opened to her partner’s character, too. At least she will have heard your side of the story and not just this couple’s.
I hope you’ve been paid for all labor and materials to date, because you may have trouble collecting the balance. That’s likely to be true no matter what you do now. It’s also likely that the boyfriend will be badmouthing you to everyone, without ever mentioning all of the extra stuff you did (such as clearing rat poop out of the attic) or putting up with them changing their minds at the last second.
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Sounds like selfish and entitled children who have never dealt with grownup issues
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They have been very good with paying. They know it’s time and materials and there isn’t really a final payment. But I can see them expecting work in the future as we move on to other jobs. They are already saying “when this arrives can you send Joe back to install”. That kind of stuff is a bit of a nightmare. Joe goes over for 3 hrs of work but I’ve got to pay him for 8 hrs because he’s on payroll. Even if I have another project there’s at least an hour travel time.
So I’ve decided lately that loaning the guys out for handyman stuff has a different hourly rate
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I’d say nope, the job ends and all my crew have to go with me to next job; and you have to check Joe’s availability and it’s $100+y/hr.
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Hey, we’ll take Joe! I’ll pay $100 an hour for quality and conscientious Handyman work!
Plus, you’ve documented on this web site some of the stupid decisions and useless friends and family members that didn’t follow through!
The guy is an A$$!
Don’t work with them again. You are done!
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Well, today I had more egg on my face. Today the owner’s brother drove all the way up to LA to get the painted doors and drawer fronts. The sales guy is on vacation so I have been communicating to the shop foreman. I told him five times that we needed a tall filler for left of refrigerator in clear maple low sheen finish.
First they were supposed to be done last week. Then they tell me Wednesday morning. Then Friday for sure. So, of course he gets there and some panels and doors aren’t ready. And then he comes back with a painted tall filler instead of clear maple!! I’ll have to dig myself out of this mess and will probably have to drive up to LA myself to get the missing parts
Good luck with the last stretch, coralbrook!
This has been fascinating to learn about all involved in a rehab of someone else’s place (& the patience needed - kudos!).
As I’m looking to possibly relocating my number one priority is (not kidding) “no rats!” 
cb, seems to me it’s the cabinet guy’s fault, not yours. Nevertheless, you are the one that the homeowners will blame.
Any lessons learned from this miserable experience??
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I think @Marilyn was spot on above. The woman knew what they were in for. She knew it was going to be a mess and a money pit but it was the best house for the price. He did not know how much work it was going to be. I think he feels that since they are paying ‘professionals’ everything should be perfect. Nothing’s perfect. The walls of the old house are not level, they are wonky. We are not going to tear down the studs and rebuild the house. We just do the best we can for cost efficiency. Therefore there are gaps behind some of the cabinets, vanities, etc
I also think he might be feeling some guilt because he continuously announced that they could do most of the work themselves and that just isn’t feasible to stay on a tight schedule. At this point they are going to move into a house and try to paint everything later. Good luck painting those ceiling crevices over the kitchen upper cabinets:grin:
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