BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent

Subject: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 10:39 PM

...or hook up only with skilled tradesmen.

What was to have been an affordable repair to fix what I thought was a fairly recent water leak and replacement of a small section of bathroom floor has turned into a major deal with much hidden damage.

The good news is the problems, as bad as they are, were only going to get worse if undetected. Most of the problems could have, and should have been detected before I bought the house by one of several inspectors I paid, including a structural engineering firm. The problems that were detected and for which the previous owners paid to have corrected were done by a shyster who was recommended by the realtor.

Some one like me who tends to trust and who is also remarkably ignorant and unable to evaluate repairs and construction maybe ought never own a home.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 10:49 PM

Janie, I am sorry this happened. I never know if I can trust any sort of repairman or if they are all charging me more and doing unnecessary work. This involves repairs to my home and car.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 11:36 PM

And the Sisters said AMEN!

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 12 - 11:56 PM

I do all my own repairs. wish you were living next to me because i also help folks out with no charge.
Adrien (beer)

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 02:02 AM

it seems you might have some recourse somewhere...if any inspector should have caught it and didn't I suspect they are bonded somehow..I don't know. mg

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: JennieG
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 05:59 AM

Bummer, Janie! However as you say, it would get worse if left undetected and made good.

When we sold our house in Sydney a couple of years ago the buyer sent a bloke to do an inspection on her behalf. In his report he said that there were signs of an incorrectly vented dryer in the laundry - but in the 23 years we lived there, we never had a dryer!   He also said that there were signs of a leaking sewer pipe under the house, which was also untrue as our noses would have told us had that been the case. Let's face it, you can't hide a sewer smell.

Of course, he knew of a building company which put things right for the buyer.....wasn't that a surprise! Even our agent agreed that he (the so-called inspector) was a bit of a con artist.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: jacqui.c
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 06:55 AM

I agree with mg - you may have recourse against the inspectors, who should have spotted the problem. Worth while getting some legal advice on the matter, anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 08:51 AM

Water leaks, in my experience, always turn into Project Mercury. Inspectors have a Disclaimer Clause in their contracts but structural engineers? Get it fixed, file with the insurance company and then, when your life is back in order, let a lawyer handle a suit.
So sorry you have to deal with this. You have had more than your share lately.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 08:52 AM

One of these days the Mudcat Women are going to find an old hotel or huge house to share. The we'll let the men with skills visit and handle these issues in exchange for cheap wine and music.
LOL
SINS, only half joking

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:18 AM

Cheap wine and music? Is that all?

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:48 AM

Oh, SINS, I used to have a similar fantasy for my extended family. Many of us (single or divorced or married but elderly living on limited means) could live in a motel. Couples or parents with children could have two units with unlocked connecting doors. The rooms would have those small refrigerators with two electric burners, a microwave, and toaster oven for preparation of small meals, but most meals could be eaten communally in the restaurant area that many older motels used to have. We would repair what we could but work together to hire people to do other repairs.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:48 AM

Janie, when I started looking at houses to buy I knew it was likely I was going to have to have work done, so when I found the first one that look like a real possibility I had a contractor friend come over (he had worked for a friend - and in order to be sure I was serious he charged me a nominal fee for his help) and take a look. He showed me some tricks of the real estate investor trade that served me in good stead as I continued my search. And he did the contractor job when I bought the one I'm in.

I'd vote you cultivate friendship with a good general contractor. Wine and music might not hurt, but if he's married, you want to be careful not to alienate his spouse. Invite her over also. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: LilyFestre
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 10:50 AM

LOL Sins!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: pdq
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:04 AM

You should talk to the people you delt with at the Title Company.

They make their money by selling various insurance policies that guarantee that the title is correct in all ways including the survey lines. They do your paperwork free so they can get the commission from the insurance policies.

They may cover repair work that was done as part of the closing since they guaranteed that the damage in the termite report was properly repaired.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:56 AM

From experience, renting has its own hazards.... I 'prefer' to have control of the decisions about my house, even when they are not easy ones.
Over the last 28 years, I have probably saved $5000 or more by figuring out how to do certain jobs myself....but *I* have also lost some money to unscrupulous tradesmen who charged more than a job was worth or 'found' problems that were not problems.

I understand how frustrating it can be...especially for women who live alone and never collected the tools and tricks to deal with pipes & wires & boards. (Busy doing silly stuff like earning a living or raising kids, I suppose) And when careless or unqualified inspectors are added in, it just becomes maddening.

Yep, Janie... it's gotta be done.... I do hope it at least gets 'fixed' correctly this time.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:34 PM

Adding insult to injury, I made a bad choice for the necessary new vinyl floor in the bathroom.

It looks really awful in there.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:39 PM

Swift segue here: As a property manager among my least favorite things is plumbing.

I like to tell people that if there is any truth to reincarnation I just know that I'm coming back as a plumber. And I will hate it.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 11:45 PM

I think most plumbers hate plumbing. Not a fun job.

Water is definitely one of the most powerful forces of nature, and oooh...soooo...subtle at times.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 07:11 AM

Refresh, just for the sake of it, (matching copy-cat title)

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 12:25 PM

At least vinyl can be replaced quickly and fairly cheaply

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 01:55 PM

I'm there with you, Sins, and Rog, too, who can be quite handy. We just have to settle on a central location! remember THIS OLD THREAD?. Rick's first posting is priceless.

Janie, I hear about ANGIE'S LIST every week on CarTalk on NPR. I haven't used it, but it looks like a good spot to find reliable and, maybe, honest contractors.

Good luck with it all. I feel very fortunate that Rog is able to do most of those kinds of things. For a plane ticket, round trip, I am sure I could get my son to do the plumbing for you!**bg**(He's certified for HVAC work which involves a lot of plumbing.)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:07 AM

there is a bright side to everything. I fell at work yesterday and broke my kneecap. My son is out of town on a ski trip with his dad. It is my neighbor who is doing the work on the house. If the job had been what we thought it would be he would have been out of here a week ago. As it is, he is here working and when I got home, was willing and able to move some things to within my reach and do a little rearranging of stuff so that I can get around a little safer on crutches.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: maeve
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:34 AM

Oh, Janie!

I'm glad you have some help. Please let other friends help as needed; you have so often been at the front of the line to help family and friends.

Hugs and rueful laughter on the way,

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Crowhugger
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:49 AM

Janie, sorry about your leak & your kneecap. What a time you're having!
About the look of the flooring, maybe it can be ameliorated for now with a suitable outer shower curtain and/or towels and/or bath mat. Our bathroom has a gawdawful harvest gold bathtub and tiled enclosure which we expect to change eventually, we didn't want to spend money and energy to fix what ain't broke yet. So meanwhile, we found a lovely, colourful shower curtain in several great blues & greens with bits of red-pinks, but most importantly it also has small amount of a similar yellow shot throughout the pattern. Next to that shower curtain the tub fades to background and the rest of the gorgeous colours rule. Fixed for $8. We're on about our 5th liner behind that same great curtain.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:53 AM

Oh, my.... of course there is "a bright side to everything." Why, you could have broken your typing fingers!

Seriously, my friend.... I can only offer "Murphy's Law #147(a)"

"Whatever hits the fan is not evenly distributed"

Take care.....(and at our MiniFest tomorrow,I will be sounding out alternatives for May)

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 12:04 PM

Is this the contractor I suggested cultivating? The broken kneecap is a bit over-the-top Janie, but the results may end up what you need to make home-ownership more manageable. Your professional soccer-playing career is over.

All jesting aside, I understand that this is painful but after a quick search, it looks like there are a number of options that will result in a reasonable level of mobility. I had a self-inflicted wound a number of years ago (a bunionectomy intended to repair the foot before it got worse) and it took about a year before I could comfortably put pressure on a shovel for digging in the garden. I imagine knee surgery or repair is going to have at least as long to get back to a comfort level for this work. But it does return, so don't despair.

Take care!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Tinker
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 12:19 PM

Janie, I so understand! My roof took a hit from Irene and the slate guys a good friend/contractor recommended kept shaking thier heads over the previous work I had done and asking ME "Why did they do it that way?" I have sheet rock that was put up to cover holes by folks who were "recommended" that I know I can take down and do better myself.

But you have a quiet house, repairs under control, and a helpful neighbor. Blessings all....

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: maeve
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:42 PM

Sleep well, Janie. Feel better.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 09:05 PM

Somewhere I posted and it must've been eaten...anyway, just wanted to say {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you, Janie and I agree with maeve. Take all the help you can get/are comfortable with.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 10:35 PM

Ouch, Janie! Heal quickly!

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Janie
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:58 PM

Thanks guys and gals. The left kneecap will not ultimately be a big issue - it is slowing me down at time when that is a problem but is a minor break - I think I'll be in a splint for a few weeks but will be absolutely astonished if more is required. I'm more concerned about blowing out the other knee while waiting for this one to heal. Have just started walking evenly on both legs after injuring my left foot last fall and the uneven weight distribution was very hard on my right knee. I've known for a long time that two knee replacements are in my future but would rather that happen later rather than sooner.

Neighbor finished up today with the main work. Additional pier under the house and damaged pier repaired, floor jacked up and leveled, new floor joists and floor in bath, wall studs around the tub all well=sistered, bathtub replumbed from the ground up,new tub with adequate lip newsurround, drywall around formerly catywhomped doors repaired in both back bedrooms, hall, and bath, doors close that didn't, new drywall around the suround, new vinyl - thanks crowhugger,you are entirely on target -that is definitely redeemable, especially since the bathroom is now going to have to be repainted. He is also sealing the seams around the front stoop where wather keeps getting at the mudsill. A temporary fix as it needs rebuilt, but he and I will both keep an eye on it and he will patch as needed to minimize water damage until I can afford a more permanent solution.

He and his wife went out this evening and brought back a shower liner and shower stool so that I can actually use my new facilities!

There is plenty of stuff that needs done and plenty of stuff I want done, but these major problems that threatened the structural integrity of the house. I am so relieved to have them identified and really dealth with. It would have only gotten much worse and even more exspensive to fix.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 03:43 AM

Inch by inch, inch by inch... One step each time. I'm glad that you can see progress.

{{{{hug}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 07:07 AM

That's a wonderful update, Janie. Please thank your good neighbor on behalf of your far-flung friends.

Subject: RE: BS: In my next life I'm gonna rent
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 10:59 AM

Janie, you're lucky to have talented and generous neighbors! I'm glad the break isn't so bad, and you'll have to pace yourself so you don't blow out that other knee. Taking care of yourself is your part of this recovery period in your community of friends and neighbors, now that the house has gone through some of its restoration. Maybe it's time for a call to a local physiotherapist who can offer some exercises to keep your healthy knee happy - this must be a common situation for people with this kind of injury.

SRS