Sometimes you have to be an asshole (Day 321)

With reference to our subcontractor problems (previous blog), sometimes you have to be an asshole to get results. So here is the headcount on these jerks:

The mason is a week late. Said he had a family emergency. Turns out he had to go to sin city (Vegas) to straighten out his sisters son who is a druggie and alcoholic. He's back in PT and says he'll start tomorrow. All is well, maybe.

The insulation guy went AWOL. But is was worse than that. I went down to the HS football field and side wiped him. Between coaching plays I approached him with "when are you going to get going on my insulation, blah, blah blah. He let me stew for about 20 minutes (football practice is too important to interrupt I guess), then fessed up that he'd gone out of business over the weekend. At least I got a straight answer. Seems like the bills piled up, and he owed the State money for something, so they revoked his license and his company was toast.

The septic guy got over the flu and showed up this morning on time. Finished off the job in a couple hours and hauled off his little blue backhoe, which should make the neighbors happy (it was actually a cute little machine). Invoice is pending.

The electrician came by, unexpected, and wired the exhaust fan for Nancy's 900 cfm (hair sucking) exhaust hood over the Wolf range top. Took an hour ($70) and he'd outta there for a while (cover plates, switches, etc are next, much of which I'll do).

There is good news however. I got two insulation estimates this morning. The old (bankrupt) one was for about $6700 for the entire house. So a guy from Bremerton came up (Richard Gifford contact) and walked through the house. Seemed ok, but found several places where things were complicated. He worked up the estimate and agreed that he could start in two days. $7700 ($1000 more than anticipated). The second insulation company (Tracy's) has done a bunch of Kala Point houses and was recommended by a local builder, Kelly Shields. Tracy (himself) showed up quick as a bunny (they are still hungry for jobs) and went through the same routine. However, his company is much bigger (2 vs 17 employees) and it was a routine job for him. Can start tomorrow (Friday), will take 3 days, and wanted $5950. Sold. We're good for drywall after an inspection on or about Wednesday. So, my guy goes AWOL, I lose a week of construction time, but I save about $750, which will be sucked up faster an a dust bunny in a Hoover, on some other unanticipated job. Cheers, I'm getting a beer.