Refurb hassle

[jenniren]

Was up early, but spent most of the morning having a major kerfuffle with Terry the chap who built the extension. Steve put the skirting on in the utitility yesterday only to find Terry hadn't allowed enough room for it by the back door which now doesn't open fully Anyway Terry came over and as he has before tried to wriggle out of dealing with it. Tbh although his brickwork is brilliant, he's been an absolute nightmare with some things. Poor Steve has been able to come up with solutions for most things, but a door not opening properly isn't something he can fix. After lengthy, and not always amicable discussion, Terry has arranged for the double glazing chap to come over tomorrow morning, if the door needs replacing to open outwards well that's what will have to happen. Thank goodness we had the good sense to hold his final payment so if he doesn't get it sorted we've got enough to cover it.

Also our new fridge freezer seems to have a problem. The top drawer in the freezer doesn't freeze The engineer is coming this afternoon to take a look, at least that will be straightforward, if it's faulty they can replace it. Honestly we are getting to the end of our tether with it all now. If I ever mention moving again please slap me with wet fish!!

[JoM]

I really do feel for you Jen, doing up a house is no fun at all.

That's a really basic error to make isn't it I think we really struck lucky with the builder that we had for our extension although the electrician that he used was a bit unreliable.

How much longer should it take now?

[saundra]

I will personally go down our harbour and get a very large cold wet fish to clonk you with Jen
Deep breaths are called for

[Osc]

Don't worry Jen, I will be at the front of the queue with the wet fish! We still have niggles going on 18 months after the builders finished and now of course, it is proving difficult to get the builder back to fix them

[jenniren]

Yes it is a basic error Jo and of course shouldn't have happened Allowing for time to order a replacement door It's probably going to take 3 weeks or so before it's resolved.

We've had a number of niggles, the most serious is the damage he caused to our front driveway which now needs replacing. Not a cheap job, but after a heated 'discussion' Terry put his hands up and admitted it was up to him to cover the cost so it's been deducted from our final payment. It's booked in with a driveway company to be done when the bungalow's finished, hopefully before winter sets in. As for the electrician he used, well the least said the better

I have to say Steve who's doing all the internal finish, kitchen etc etc is doing a great job and we're really pleased with how things are progressing. He's busy grouting the hallway and bathroom today, the kitchen will be finished off tomorrow. That leaves the lounge and dining area to tile. I reckon we're about 2 weeks off altogether, barring any more hassle that is.

[saundra]

Being nosey Jen are you having tiled flooring then in the lounge
You get the fish then osc save me the taxi fare to the harbour

[Osc]

You get the fish then osc save me the taxi fare to the harbour

No problem, Saundra, I only have a short walk to the fish shop

[Workingman]

Oh Jen, it is always the second fix (finishing off) where these things make their presence felt.

An old house we owned had concrete floors. When we took the carpets up there were powdery spots, cracked areas and bumps and hollows. We ecided to have a screed put on top and that meant the skirting boards coming off, and not one came away in one piece.

When the new ones were to be put on the joiner brought his all-singing, all-dancing machine to cut the boards and off he went. It was only when he came to fix the boards that he discovered that hardly any corners, in or out, were at the 90 degrees he planned for. He did not like that we did not like all the gaps and made him do every one with a bespoke join that fitted, so I do sympathise.

But look on the bright side, it is nearing the end.

[jenniren]

You're right WM, the second fixing shows all the faults. Luckily Steve is really good and Peter (painter) is brilliant so I'm not worried about the finish when all the niggles are sorted.

We're having a wood effect porcelain floor all through except for the bedrooms Saundra. It's all so open now it gives a lovely flow, but we'll put a nice rug in front of the fireplace to make the lounge cosy and define the areas.

[Kaz]

Oh gosh Jen, it's been a long haul, hasn't it, and the last thing you needed when the end is almost in sight is this latest hassle. Sending huge ((((((hugs)))))) xxxxx