Done today?

Today I made the last payment on this huge remodelling project. It should have been completed 3 months ago. It began 1/22 and ran through today, 8/31. The owner never once - not once - said "I am sorry" for the delays. Not once!

This afternoon, what did I find? An enormous crack in the ceiling! YIKES!

Thinking of Remodeling? Ask for references!

I've had a contractor's sign on my lawn for over 6 months. It's finally gone. This might lead some neighbors to believe that I recommend this contractor.

****WRONG****

The interminable job has turned into the project straight from the pits of hell. Today, I actually burst into hysterical tears in my own livingroom as the contractor:

• blamed me for 2 things that were not my fault, and
• demanded more money, in advance of what the contract says... and in his twisted logic, he thinks he really is owed the money due to my "fault".

If you've seen the sign on my lawn and you're thinking of remodelling, write down that name on your list. Take a black Sharpie. Cross out the name in thick permanent ink. Keep it. If you're tempted to call them later, read it again.

I love my house and the almost-done results. I mean, I LOVE my house! But if I could turn back time, whew, I would run *s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g* when this guy shook my hand for the first time.

If you don't know who I'm talking about, I'm not gonna tell you. I don't want to hear from lawyers. But:

• If you're located in Birmingham, call the inspectors. Ask if any usually-reputable builders have dragged out jobs forever and done a sloppy job in the meantime.
• If you contact me with a list of contractors you're thinking of hiring and ask me if I recommend any of them, I'll tell you yes or no.

This builder told me that down the road, I would have "amnesia" with regards to how painful the building process was. That would be good. But I sure won't forget how bad it felt to be crying in my livingroom when the job that won't end gets worse.