Dragon's Eye: Part 1
As mentioned here before, we've had an exterior repair project going on for months and months now. It's tiresome to see it not done. The buildup to it was financially painful, and there has been talk about cost increases since. When it started, there were three or four guys doing a good bit of work. Lately, I see one around now and then on weekdays, and that's it. What could possibly be taking so long? The estimates were to be done long ago.
Well, I talked with the guy doing the work today. Really, I was just going to point out a temporary cover to the roof over our front door has slid down, but we got to talking more in depth, and I heard his side of things.
Just about every time he does something, he finds more damage that wasn't seen before. Wood stacked against building walls has led to mildew penetrating the walls. Poor original building designs have led to water seepage between surfaces. Exterior studs are placed at inconvenient intervals. All this sort of stuff, he says, is common in older buildings around here made in the 70's. While these were built in 1983, I'm not surprised - I've noticed a number of "lazy" design flaws myself, and I'm not digging into the structure.
He said these things need fixing and he's not willing to do it half-assed (my words, his meaning). And yet, he can't pay anyone to do what he's working on right now because the money's not there. We paid, and he wants to do it right, but it's turning out to be a lot more work than expected. So while he can't pay other people to do the additional work, he's doing it himself and it's taking longer, especially when he uncovers more things that need fixing.
So I can understand all that, and it puts things in focus a little better. When (at last check) some of the homeowners still haven't paid their assessment, I can't really be angry at him for not paying people to help. He seems like a good guy who genuinely wants to do things right, but is hampered by continuing difficulties. Right now, things sorta suck for both of us. I just hope things work out for all parties in the end.
Well, I talked with the guy doing the work today. Really, I was just going to point out a temporary cover to the roof over our front door has slid down, but we got to talking more in depth, and I heard his side of things.
Just about every time he does something, he finds more damage that wasn't seen before. Wood stacked against building walls has led to mildew penetrating the walls. Poor original building designs have led to water seepage between surfaces. Exterior studs are placed at inconvenient intervals. All this sort of stuff, he says, is common in older buildings around here made in the 70's. While these were built in 1983, I'm not surprised - I've noticed a number of "lazy" design flaws myself, and I'm not digging into the structure.
He said these things need fixing and he's not willing to do it half-assed (my words, his meaning). And yet, he can't pay anyone to do what he's working on right now because the money's not there. We paid, and he wants to do it right, but it's turning out to be a lot more work than expected. So while he can't pay other people to do the additional work, he's doing it himself and it's taking longer, especially when he uncovers more things that need fixing.
So I can understand all that, and it puts things in focus a little better. When (at last check) some of the homeowners still haven't paid their assessment, I can't really be angry at him for not paying people to help. He seems like a good guy who genuinely wants to do things right, but is hampered by continuing difficulties. Right now, things sorta suck for both of us. I just hope things work out for all parties in the end.
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