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June 30, 2007
Working on the Roof
Sorry to bother you with a personal problem, but I thought writing about it might do me some good.
Shirley and I have been homeowners for 32 years. While we share in the decision process, I have lead responsibility for repairs. I enjoy doing many small jobs myself. But some projects are just too big and/or require skills that I don't have or don't want. Like most other people, we hire contractors for these jobs. Well, we think we need a new roof. No, it didn't leak last rainy season, but it did a little the year before. A nail had worked its way up and provided a small conduit for the rain to come through. I was able to fix that small leak with the aid of a little Henry's roofing tar and a caulking gun. I discovered and fixed a couple of other places where something similar was about to happen at the same time. And over the last few years, I've had to straighten and re-nail a few of the asphalt shingles. I even replaced one. No big deal, perhaps I could nurse the old roof along for another few years. But, in truth, it's time to get a new one.
Because of the age of our house and changes in building code, it will be necessary to remove our current roof, lay down a plywood sub-roof and then put the finished roofing material on top of that. Over the last few days, I have been gathering estimates for the job. To begin with, we wanted three estimates. But because we didn't like any of the estimates and/or didn't feel comfortable with the companies, usually both, we now have estimates and will get two more on Tuesday. From a cost point of view, these estimates tend to cluster around a number that is three or four thousand dollars higher than I thought we would need to pay. But one of them is nearly 50% above the average and one was 40% below it. And the highest bidder and the lowest bidder really made me feel uncomfortable but they were not alone in that. All these companies are properly licensed and have been in business for many years, still most of their estimators gave me really bad vibes. About half of the companies didn't even give me a written estimate and statement of work when their estimator was here and two still haven't although I have called. Someone we trust in a related construction craft recommended one of the companies that will be giving us an estimate on Tuesday. I liked the person I talked with on the phone. I hope his estimate and statement of work is acceptable.
There are few things in life that cause me more anxiety than a major household repair. Doing repairs yourself sometimes causes involuntary swearing as the work proceeds. Trying to find someone else to do a job causes involuntary swearing long before any work begins. And hearing other people's experiences doesn't help much. I can't get out of my mind the possibility that whoever we select will remove our existing roof and then disappear into the night requiring half the lawyers I've ever met to track them down and get the job finished! Because of my work, I've met quite a few lawyers. High-tech marketing guys and gals always have! And even paying only the legal minimum amount up front does not guarantee that this will not happen.
These folks don't exactly need to give me the warm fuzzies, but they sure shouldn't give me the heebie-jeebies.
Posted by Duane Smith at June 30, 2007 1:10 PM | Read more on Odds and Ends |
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