All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

@Ashley Wolfe I think you'd do much better to find your own contractors. After all, the subs you get through HD are not employees of HD.  You're paying a premium to HD as middle-man for very little in return. 

I encountered a woman recently who had hired Lowe's to install a new deck and she found the whole experience very frustrating. She was assigned an out-of-state 'project manager' who was to be the point-person on the project but the poor communication between that person and the person actually doing the work made for a real mess...and that was for just a simple deck.

I have the Simplisafe system and think it works very well. I like that you can cancel the monitoring service as needed in between projects.  It's also nice to be able to arm and disarm the system remotely when notified of an impending showing but this requires the full service monitoring plan which is $24.mo.

I have one door sensor for front and back and one for the crawlspace door. I also have several motion sensors strategically placed. And I have the extra loud alarm horn which I think is worth purchasing. 

 I don't use the tape.  I set the motion sensors on countertops and on floors.  If I put one on the floor, I place it upside down because  One of the beams angles downward in normal position. For the door sensors, I use the mounting brackets and screws. The screws are very small and leave only tiny holes to fill when I remove them before closing.  A little spackle and touch-up paint and it's good. 

 Just because something is "frequently done" does not make it right.  It does sound as if you are looking for ways to circumvent laws and proper procedures and that is no way to run a business.  If you can not afford to run a proper business then don't be in business.

There are always going to be pesky little things that affect your profit: taxes, insurance, building codes, disclosure statement, etc. Will you look for ways to cheat on them as well?  If not, why not?

"I had a showing set up, one what I suspect was going to be a very hot property."

I was just going by what you said.   

What would you do?  You seem to be making many assumptions and don't have all the facts.  You're not even certain it was a "hot property".  It's disappointing but that's life. 

If it's any consolation, if they paid a locksmith to replace the entire lock rather than just extract the key, they got ripped off.  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!  

@Mike Girard MR drywall ("moisture resistant-green board) is absolutely not suitable for active wet locations and topical waterproofing membranes, such as Redguard, will not adhere properly to drywall.  Tear it down and start over using cementious backer board.  

Based on this, I would not use this contractor for any other work.  If you can't afford the $50.00 cost to make it right, than you have an even bigger problem. 

@Candace Ellison  It's difficult at this stage since you don't yet have a house or know what kind of contractor you need but referral is the best method of finding any professional. As a realtor, I would think you should easily be able to get recommendations from your colleagues. 

Also, don't be unduly influenced by "...horror stories with contractors...".  Contractors are  no less honest than any other vocation.  There are always going to be bad apples but the vast majority are hard working people who are just trying to earn a living. 

You should, of course, be wise and wary in your dealings with contractors but don't be so taken with fear, mistrust and suspicion that you poison the relationship.

I don't see why it should be necessary to provide him an incentive to do what he should do anyway i.e. complete the work in a timely manner and within budget. If he can't do that without an extra incentive, he won't do it with one.  It's called: professionalism.

If you like him and want him to want to work with you regularly, then strive to be the kind of customer that is a pleasure to work for i.e. pay him on time, don't micro-manage, be appreciative, etc.  We love that!

@Jaimie Chen  Even new houses can have foundation problems, though it is somewhat rare.  The soil might be weak or soft and the footings might have been poured without addressing that.  There could also be something making the soil wet, since construction, which has weakened the foundation. You didn't say what kind of house it is (1 or 2 story, slab, etc) but if you are seriously interested in it, you should talk to a soil and/or structural engineer. 

I suggested passing on the project because of the unknown risks associated with the foundation issue but also the unknown risks of trying to sell a house that has had such problems.  I think it could possibly affect any re-sale.  

@Jaimie Chen You could try to ascertain who did the work and why.  Then see if an engineer was involved in the repair and talk with him asking if he now certifies that the foundation is sound. 

But if I were you, I'd look for a less risky project.