Time flies whether or not you’re having fun. For my part, no fun has been had for a long time.
After firing the asshat builder last spring, I have tried to hire someone new to finish the renovation. This was not easy. A few companies came to look, and chatted as if they were interested, but in the end they were not. I had one company lined up that I thought would work out. The owner was very decent, came to my house several times, took measurements, and gave me a detailed written estimate, which I accepted. And then I didn’t hear from him for 4 months.
I’m now on “serious builder” number two. He promises he is showing up April 15, 2019, to begin work.
In preparation for his arrival, I am pulling up walnut floor from my original living room/dining room, for installation into my new master bedroom and closet. The floor is up, but I now have to trim off a thousand nails/staples.
I also have to empty out my basement completely, and everything from the addition. I have a storage unit out front, on what used to be my driveway but is now a mudbath. But not everything will fit in it, so I have to cram the rest into my livingroom/dining room, once I have all the layers of floor pulled up (which may or may not contain asbestos). All in the next two weeks.
The landscaping is also a priority this year. I have a verbal contract with someone, we are just working out the details. I don’t know when he plans to start, but the ground is still frozen so no rush yet. I will be relieved to sit outside this year, without looking around and seeing construction debris and mounds of weeds/work to do. I’m also looking forward to not having the dog bring in mud from the yard every time he goes outside, from the trench left behind after the power line was put in the ground during the fall. My house really looks like it has a dirt floor right now.
I do not have it in me to be truly excited, as this renovation experience has killed my spirit, but it does appear to be heading towards moving forward, and it could actually be done by the late summer. Perhaps once I see the new builder actually showing up and doing work day after day, I will begin to get excited.
Anyway, that is a general progress update.