We work time and materials so I don’t have to worry about the added cost. But it definitely adds to the schedule, especially wh3n I have 2 guys flying off to the other job on Thursday and we only have 2 left to finish up here. Owners say the ‘have to move in’ by July 14 because their lease is up. But they adding stuff to the plate every day!! That’s what I keep warning them about
Today the old soft water tank sprung a leak and almost flooded the garage. Something left over from prior owners. So now we’ve got to dismantle that and get it out of the garage
Another week gone by and we have to get this house painted and ready for new flooring by Tuesday next week. I think we are going to make it, may still have to paint the bathrooms next week. We had a couple of issues that caused us to go backwards
One of my guys just went to town with the paint sprayer. He didn’t properly mask off the wood ceiling in the back room and we’ve got paint overspray everywhere. I am really really pissed about this because it’s not like we can just scrub it or sand it off because they are wood ceilings. So now we have to go get some special goo remover and spend hours cleaning all that off the ceilings. Not happy!!
The soft water conditioner sprung a leak but it does not have any shut off valves, it is hard sautered to copper pipes. So we are going to have to dismantle that apart and cap off the water lines.
Not sure if I followed up, but the roots around toilet were isolated to the exterior of the pipe so we didn’t have to open up the concrete slab and try to repair that drain line.
I’m glad you are making progress, bumpy, but the needle is moving in the right direction.
I agree that getting subcontractors to come out has been a royal pain.
We have had our May start date moved because our San Diego Contractor is so behind on his kitchen remodels. Apparently lots of change orders. He did start measuring and discussing changes but my open concept kitchen is off the table because of structural and foundation issues. Bummer, but he had other ideas.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, we had to have our pool remodeled because of a number significant leaks. So the pool is almost done, but the headaches of getting crews reassigned, when they were scheduled for us, was an issue. Thankfully, and fortunately, an “uninvited” relative expected to stay with us (to use our pool!) and was too cheap to spring for an Air BNB or a hotel. Needless to say she didn’t stay here. Work is supposed to finish tomorrow (Sunday!) We’ll see!
Just Wow, that is a big pool project. I’m having leak problems in my pool and I think it’s the pipe under the patio coming from skimmer to pump. I cannot get anyone to even come look at it until late July
@aunt_bea - I know how you are feeling with the contactor delays here in San Diego. We had a tiler set to come do our small master bath week before last and he called to say he has to delay starting. It took us so long just to get someone to come look and even give us a quote for the job. H did all the demo of the bathroom and took out the tub so he wanted someone that was experienced in putting in a shower upstairs. We are frustrated as H does not want the wood floors to go in until the bath gets done.
Spa was cracking and my husband only noticed because the water level kept lowering. Turns out that the Spa walls were not supported by rebar in the concrete and were cracking the Pebble Tec and causing the water to leak through the Pebble Tec. The leak specialists gave us referrals to pool companies who did the repairs but their Yelp reviews were horrid. The person who repaired the leak does pool remodels “on the side” with subcontractors. He had good references. He had his crew here the next day. It was supposed to take 2 weeks but we had that delay. Today, the pool is supposed to be finished. Took three weeks, but I had to supervise (and I’m fluent in Spanish with the crew from Guatemala.)
Our original kitchen Contractor is swamped. His work ethic and work is excellent, but he is behind on all of his projects. He was the subcontractor who completed the flood remodel of the 3 bathrooms. I was hoping he could start in June, but I don’t think he’ll get to us until late fall!
EDITED TO ADD: Just found out our power is out to the electrical outside! No work today!
Power is now back on, thank goodness. I’m calling an electrician on Tuesday.
Oh I am so there with you! This is frustrating, and to top it off, all of the neighbors have aging home issues and are having work done, so the parking is getting to be an issue with all of the trucks, equipment and noise!
Our previous pool had leaks around the deck jets. We ended up removing them because the frequent high wind made them impossible to use anyway. Then leaks were discovered by the skimmers. I’d realized that one had a small leak, but when the technician came to investigate he found two more. We drained and refilled that pool way too many times.
So glad the slab didn’t have to be cut open to deal with those roots.
We were able to clean up the ceilings with some Latex Paint Remover but that wasted hours that should have been spent on other things
Started floor prep today. Lots of grinding and pouring self leveling cement to level up the floors. When floors are under carpet they can be wonky, but floors have to be leveled to install plank flooring
Still painting the bedrooms. Next bathrooms and then we start installing stuff
Almost have the ceilings cleaned up. Missed some spots on the other side of the room.
I think we are actually going to make it by my deadline. I’ve got one other guy leaving for Hawaii on Tuesday and so the two remaining guys had to work all weekend to get us to the finish line. Owners are starting to move in on Friday and we will be cleared out by remaining guy on Wednesday morning. I have sent Numerous emails to owners reminding them that they are responsible for cleaning the entire house and window washing. I can guarantee that I am going to get a phone call about Wednesday asking if I know anyone that come clean the house before they move in. I have never found a cleaning service that specializes in construction cleanout. This project got popcorn debris and drywall dust in every crevice of the house. It’s a tough cleaning job
The flooring was completed today. The owners said they were going to install baseboards so the house looks beautiful except along the bottom of every wall Yesterday they asked if we could install baseboards and I had to politely decline but gave them referalls for subcontractors who might be able to do it. Good luck with 2 days notice !!
We have two lists going; Owner List that they agreed to do before move in or after they move in. And a list of small outside things that are going to be completed about July 26 when one of my guys comes back from the other project.
Cost to Date $30,000
About $4,000 more expected, most of it is for flooring installation
Many, many years ago-- friend has a vacation house-- townhouse type and two story. Not huge but big enough. She was having remodeling done on top floor and expected to be there for Thanksgiving the following Thursday. We arrive by boat with two small kids just as work crew was leaving. Supposedly they were done.
Run in to see how it is as they’re preparing (more like escaping) to leave.
The drywall debris LITERALLY was piled floor to almost second floor in the foyer. No way to describe it. No railing on the second floor (two of every three styles missing) to prevent falling of kids. We practically grabbed those guys by the throat. They did return to clean out the debris–we’re talking wheelbarrows and shovels at the least but we cleaned the rest. We rigged the railing with ropes as barrier.
EVERY crevice, flat surface, --all of it was layered in dry wall dust. It was beyond awful.
I totally remember to this day my first builder’s face as I said I’d do the clean up rather than his cleaning crew. “Nope, you don’t want to do that. Trust me.” How right he was!
I wish them luck. Our house still is not completed, yet the builder has had cleaning crews in multiple times. We checked the house yesterday and it’s a mess. There’s still drywall dust everywhere, grout smears and red clay stains inside and outside.
The most recent cleaning was supposed to be the final cleaning, yet the builder still needs to get the electricians, HVAC installers, window installers and others back to either finish their jobs or do repairs. H said he wants to take care of it once the house is really finished and told the builder not to hire these cleaners for our house again.
That’s good to know, thanks. We do have a local franchise here but I was not aware they do post construction cleaning. Our builder claims “no one wants to do it” which may be his way of justifying hiring who he did.
Nothing here in a long, long time. Did I miss some announcement or is it finished or what? Kinda worried about Coralbrook. No new Flickr pics. Anyone know anything?
Check her Plantation Cottage thread; she finished up there and last post was only a couple of weeks ago. She said “And my crew is back to work on the boring conversion of garage and basement to rental ADUs (Accessory Dwellng Units) back in Paradise Hills.” So nothing of interest at the moment.
Yesterday they asked if we could install baseboards and I had to politely decline but gave them referalls for subcontractors who might be able to do it. Good luck with 2 days notice !!
