I am so thrilled about the fact that the renovator is finally coming to look at my house, I just had to share my excitement! Some of you may remember that my house was one of those which were severely damaged during the hailstorm in July. The insurance companies and contractors are so busy that I do not even have an estimate of the damages yet!
At noon today, the renovator is meeting my DP and I to look at the damage. All I expect is an estimate, but at this point, I feel that is HUGE progress!
Will it be too much if I throw myself into his arms and cry for joy?
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...Neil Davies Jim Caruk's forman over Jim anyday. He's soo darned cute, funny, hardworking, and love that Irish accent!! He'd be great in a barrel of monkeys,,,,, I mean as a barrel of monkeys!!!
It sounds as if the Big Bad Wolf came along and huffed an puffed and blowed down the house! Almost no windows left. Isn't it a tad breezy there?
Good luck with your non-Holmes/Caruk look alike. A jolly Irishman could make the insurance cringe and buckle and hand over a little extra for some lovely drapery for those replacement windows and a little carpet/hardwood in those bedrooms.
I am sure you have looked at all the angles.:D
I know zippo about renovating, Ecod, I only know things about hiring experts.
I certainly hope to have some good progress reports to relate! (Knocking on wood)
from a savy renovator. I just wanted to make sure to point out the usual pitfalls. Good luck with everything and let us know the progress.
I appreciate your advice, but actually have a far bit of confidence of my own, in this realm. The insurer was too busy to have their adjuster estimate, or to send their own estimator. So, I retained the local renovator with the very best reputation. Hence the long wait. I expect his prices will be high, as he will not cut corners.
After inviting me to provide an estimate from the renovator of my choice, I dare the insurer to challenge this man's opinion! He is uniquely well positioned to defend his estimate.
I have no reason to think that I am going to have a war with the insurance company, but I have taken the right steps in advance to be sure that I will win.
If you can, be sure to get a minimum of three written quotations from different contractors before you choose one. Ensure also that you and your husband know exactly what materials and finishes you want in every area that the contractor will work on. This will prevent unexpected hidden costs and give you an accurate quote to present to your insurance company. As a general rule though if a contractor gives one price add 15-20%. Also if everything is in writting you have recourse.
Do you actually have a house left?:D WOW! It sounds bad:(
He was not a Holmes or Caruk look-alike, so I was not terribly motivated to throw myself at any part of him. He did have a charming Irish accent. I laughed at all of his jokes just as if they were funny - that was as ingratiating as I was able to be.
He will give us a price on repairing the storm damage: a new roof on the house and garage, new skylights, one new window, new garage doors, restaining the cedar siding, and redoing two rooms in the basement. Then, on to the battle with the insurance company!
If I were you I would play hard to get....keep him wanting more....reno that is...;)
Congrats!!!! Hope everything works out the way you want it!!!
I would definitely tell him you'll make it worth his while! ;) I'm glad you are on to step #1 in the reno process - at last!
AAN would know exactly what to do!:D Now if it was Mike Holmes I would know what to do too!:D Hope all goes well...and doesn't take another eternity.
...Aan isn't here, she would be able to give more explicit advise on what to do!!!
Yay! And yes, throw yourself into his arms. As Elise suggested, maybe you'll get a great price!
so happy for you Dreamer! I hope the estimate is low and you cna get fixed ASAP!
Such joyous news!! Yes by all means slip into something comfortable and hurl yourself into his big muscular tatooed arms. Maybe he'll come down a crotch, I mean notch in price!!!:D